AFC Free Agency Rumors: Pats, Ogbah, Texans, Broncos
After an anomalous offseason that saw the Patriots rank fourth in the NFL in total spending, New England fans have seen a bit of a return to the norm in 2022 with the team currently ranking 21st. Whereas last year saw the Patriots sign Matt Judon, Hunter Henry, Jonnu Smith, Nelson Agholor, Kendrick Bourne, and Jalen Mills, this offseason for New England has mainly consisted of a few re-signings, a few trades, and fewer additions of players like Terrance Mitchell, Ty Montgomery, Malcolm Butler, and Jabrill Peppers.
According to Ben Volin of the Boston Globe, next year could see the Patriots return to a higher priced offseason. Attractive names on the market, along with guarantees from last year’s signings coming off the books, could lead to New England pursuing the strategy of surrounding a young quarterback on their rookie deal with tons of talent.
Here are a few more free agency rumors from around the AFC, starting with a note from Dade County:
- Emmanuel Ogbah‘s new dream deal to stay in Miami was dangerously close to not happening, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. Ogbah signed an enticing four-year, $65MM deal with $32MM guaranteed in mid-March. While the Dolphins always planned on pursuing Ogbah, the offer they originally had in mind wasn’t quite that lofty. Rumors claim that another team was looking to offer Ogbah a deal close to the contract he ended up with in Miami. The Dolphins upped their offer moments before the start of free agency and were able to keep Ogbah in his home of the past two seasons.
- In a press conference with new Texans head coach Lovie Smith, a question was raised about the team’s cornerbacks room. Smith’s reply was that the play from last year’s group was not good enough. If players were brought back from last year, Smith claims that the team has faith in them to play a role, but that the team is definitely looking to improve their cornerback room. If the team is looking to free agency to do so, there are still some veteran names available on the market such as Joe Haden, Kyle Fuller, and Chris Harris.
- According to Mike Sando of The Athletic, while the Broncos obviously improved their quarterback room with the addition of Russell Wilson, an executive in the NFL claims that the move should still be considered a miss as the team obviously would’ve preferred Aaron Rodgers. It’s no secret that most teams in the NFL would prefer Rodgers over Wilson and Wilson clearly improves the Broncos’ offense as the best back up plan after missing on Rodgers. Yet the quoted executive seems to believe that the Broncos deserve a little less credit for the move, since it’s essentially the result of missing on Rodgers.
Dolphins, Mike Gesicki Not Close On Long-Term Deal
The Dolphins already know they will have tight end Mike Gesicki under contract for 2022, after he signed his franchise tender last month. As Pro Football Network’s Adam Beasley reports (in a pair of tweets), however, it doesn’t appear as though the two sides are “particularly close on a [long-term] deal”. 
Gesicki, 26, was named as a prime candidate to be tagged this offseason. He has established himself as a key piece of the team’s offense, particularly in the past two years. Since 2020, the former second-rounder has posted 126 catches for 1,483 yards and eight touchdowns. That earned him a one-year deal worth $10.93MM as a result of the tag.
“It’s obviously not the end-all be-all goal” Gesicki said. “It’s definitely more team friendly than player friendly. When asked about the possibility of a long-term extension, he said, “I am absolutely open to negotiation, but it’s not really up to me… If they reach out, my agent will be listening.”
There was some concern Gesicki could file a grievance with the Dolphins with respect to being tagged as a tight end. Given that he is used much more like a slot receiver, many thought he would seek to negotiate a figure between the TE and WR values. Instead, both he and the Dolphins have until the summer to agree on a new deal. If one can’t be reached, Miami will move forward this season evaluating how Gesicki fits into an offense which now includes Tyreek Hill as a competition for targets.
Melvin Ingram Visiting Dolphins
Melvin Ingram found himself in a new NFL home for the first time last season. That may be the case again in 2022, as the free agent is visiting the Dolphins (Twitter link via NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport). 
The soon-to-be 33-year-old signed with the Steelers last year, ending a nine-year stint with the Chargers. He only started one of six games in Pittsburgh, however, registering a single sack. That led to a trade request, which the team honored. He was acquired by the Chiefs in November; in Kansas City, he saw similar playing time and put up comparable numbers.
Given the South Carolina alum’s play, and the team’s defensive turnaround which coincided with his arrival, the Chiefs made it clear they would welcome Ingram back if he wished to stay. “I do think if a guy like Melvin decides he wants to come back and play, I think that we would be at the top of his list” said general manager Brett Veach. Since those comments, though, the team has managed to retain Frank Clark, whom many felt would be a cut candidate.
The Dolphins have made significant additions to their offense this offseason, but they have been able to retain a number of key defensive players as well. Among those is defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah, who, along with 2021 first-round pick Jaelan Phillips, will remain central to the team’s pass rush. Signing Ingram would add experienced depth in that department, while helping to fortify an already strong unit on a team with significant 2022 aspirations.
Latest On Dolphins’ Pursuit Of Tom Brady, Sean Payton
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk continues to beat the Tom Brady-to-Miami drum. In January 2020, just weeks before Brady was set to hit free agency and perhaps join an organization other than the Patriots for the first time in his two-decade career, Florio wrote that the Dolphins were the team that was generating the most buzz with respect to a Brady signing. Even then, the PFT creator reported that there was talk of Brady also becoming a minority owner of the ‘Fins.
In February 2022, Florio wrote that Miami hoped to hire former Saints head coach Sean Payton as its new HC this year, and that the club also planned to go after Brady and install him as the starting quarterback. Then, Brian Flores, who was fired as the Dolphins’ head coach in January, filed a racial discrimination lawsuit against the team, also naming the Giants and Broncos as defendants. According to Florio, the suit forced the Dolphins to scrap the Payton/Brady plan, and Brady announced his retirement on the same day the suit was filed.
Several days ago, Florio reported that Brady was indeed “very close” to joining the Dolphins, and that he would have first done so as a minority owner (other reporters have echoed the sentiment that Brady may want to own a part of the franchise). At that point, the Dolphins would have acquired Payton’s rights from the Saints and Brady’s rights from the Buccaneers and would have had the enviable HC-QB tandem they were seeking all along. Of course, it may not have been so simple; Florio acknowledged in his February 2022 piece that New Orleans declined Miami’s request to talk to Payton, even after Payton elected to step away from the Saints. Dolphins GM Chris Grier confirmed as much, and Payton himself said he would probably not have been interested in the Miami gig.
If Florio is accurate, however, this could all resurface in 2023. When discussing the ownership component of these rumors, Florio continues to emphasize Brady’s close relationship with Bruce Beal, who is Dolphins owner Stephen Ross‘ right-hand man. As far as Brady the player is concerned, it’s worth noting that one of Flores’ allegations in his suit is that Ross wanted Flores to recruit a “prominent quarterback” — generally believed to be Brady — at the end of the 2019 season, which would have contravened the league’s tampering rules.
So, if Brady wants to continue his playing career next year but wants to leave the Bucs — Florio remains adamant that Brady’s “retirement” was simply an attempt to leave Tampa and that he only circled back to the team after it became clear he would not be able to join the Dolphins or 49ers — then perhaps Ross will throw his hat in the ring again, depending on how Tua Tagovailoa performs in 2022. And, regardless of whether Brady ever plays his home games in South Beach, it at least seems like a strong possibility that he could one day own a piece of the Dolphins.
With Mike McDaniel having just been hired as Miami’s HC, it is perhaps less likely that Ross & Co. will seek to woo Payton next year, but given Ross’ history of seeking high-profile candidates for his head coaching post, such a pursuit probably should not be ruled out.
Dolphins To Sign P Thomas Morstead
The Dolphins have signed punter Thomas Morstead, according to Adam Caplan of SiriusXM (on Twitter). This comes just 48 hours after the veteran’s audition in South Beach.
Morstead made his name with the Saints, enjoying a 12-year run that included a Pro Bowl nod in 2012. However, the 36-year-old was dropped in the middle of the Saints’ numbers crunch.
Morstead first entered the league as a 2009 fifth-round draft pick. After earning a ring as a rookie, he signed multiple extensions to stay in New Orleans through 2020. His He caught on with the Jets in mid-September, replacing the injured Braden Mann. But, with Mann eventually designated for return, Morstead’s services were no longer needed in New York and he was cut.
The veteran averaged 48.2 yards per punt with the Jets, his best average since 2016. His spent the second half of the season with the Falcons, where he averaged 46.1 yards on his 22 punts.
The accomplished punter is now in line to replace Michael Palardy, who is out of contract.
Dolphins Work Out Reuben Foster
The Dolphins are auditioning linebacker Reuben Foster (Twitter link via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald). Foster is now healthy — per Jackson’s sources — and eager to mount another comeback. 
[RELATED: Dolphins Re-Sign J. Jenkins]
Foster has history with new Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, dating back to their 2018 season together with the Niners. The former first-round pick has missed the last three seasons following multiple knee injuries and surgeries, but he could offer serious upside if he’s truly healthy.
Foster has hardly been seen since he was released by the Niners roughly four years ago. Washington shocked the world by claiming him off of waivers, but he never saw the field in D.C. Foster suffered an ACL tear in 2019, further pushing his career off course. He also spent 2020 on IR. Between the suspensions and injuries, the 28-year-old has played just 16 total games as a pro.
In those 16 games for the Niners, Foster registered 101 tackles and two passes defensed.
Brian Flores Amends Lawsuit, Adds Accusations Against Texans
While Steve Wilks and Ray Horton have joined Brian Flores’ racial discrimination lawsuit, Flores himself has amended his original complaint. It adds the Texans to the list of teams against which specific allegations are made (the others being the Dolphins, Broncos, Giants and, now, the Cardinals and Titans). 
[RELATED: Wilks, Horton Join Flores’ Suit]
As detailed by ESPN’s Kevin Van Valkenburg, Flores alleges that Houston “retaliated” against him during their recent head coaching search as a result of his decision to file the lawsuit. His amended complaint notes how the team pivoted towards Lovie Smith – whom they ultimately hired – immediately after their decision appeared to be narrowed down to either Flores or former quarterback Josh McCown. As it reads, “the Texans were rightfully concerned that if it hired Mr. McCown over Mr. Flores, it would bolster Mr. Flores’ allegations of systemic discrimination against Black candidates”.
In a statement, the Texans have responded to the accusations. “Brian Flores was among the first candidates we held a formal interview with for the position and he remained a candidate until the very end” it says in part. “It was a very fluid process… we are proud of our decision and will vigorously defend [it].”
Alterations have also been made to Flores’ allegations against the Dolphins. Included among those is a memorandum he wrote in December 2019 to multiple members of the team’s front office, including general manager Chris Grier, related to the “alarming demands to lose games” made by owner Stephen Ross (Twitter link via NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport). In it, Flores “detailed the toxicity which existed within the organization and explained the unreasonable position he was being placed in”. PFT’s Mike Florio reports that said memo was provided to the league one week ago.
As well, the amended suit accuses the Dolphins of “asserting baseless claims” (Twitter link via Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post). One of those is the demand for Flores to repay wages paid by the team because they were given “on the condition that he wouldn’t sue the Dolphins”. Flores denies any such agreement was made during his departure from the team.
Flores initially sued the NFL generally, and the Dolphins, Broncos and Giants specifically in February. He has since been hired by the Steelers as the team’s linebackers coach, but made it clear at the time that he would not drop the suit. Today’s developments confirm that this matter is far from being resolved.
Dolphins Re-Sign John Jenkins
John Jenkins‘ second stint in Miami will continue in 2022. The Dolphins announced on Thursday that they have re-signed the veteran defensive tackle. 
Jenkins, 32, began his career in New Orleans after the Saints drafted him in 2013. It was in his three-plus years there that he saw the most playing time of his career, eclipsing the 50% mark in terms of snap share for the first and only time in 2015. In 49 games as a Saint, he totalled 100 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
Jenkins seemed to be on the way out of New Orleans during his fourth year there, so it came as little surprise that the team gave him a head start on free agency and released him mid-season in 2016. That began a series of brief stints with four different teams, including the Seahawks and Giants. Between those two stays was the first of a pair of campaigns in Chicago.
His heaviest workload since his time with the Saints came with the Dolphins, however. Jenkins signed in Miami in 2019, then again last offseason. In two years in Florida, he has started seven of 23 contests and made 50 tackles. His retention will not only give him a tenure of multiple seasons with the same team for the first time in six years, but it also marks another re-signing from the Dolphins’ 2021 defense. That unit will still feature, most notably, Emmanuel Ogbah and Xavien Howard as it looks to help the team take a step towards AFC contention in 2022.
Dolphins Work Out P Thomas Morstead
The Dolphins are still seeking a punter, and they’ve turned their focus to a former Saints mainstay. According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the team worked out punter Thomas Morstead today.
Morstead, 36, first entered the league as a fifth-round draft pick by the Saints in 2009. After earning a ring as a rookie, he signed multiple extensions to stay in New Orleans through 2020. His 12-year stint with the organization included a Pro Bowl nod in 2012. Morstead was released in the middle of the Saints’ 2021 numbers crunch.
He caught on with the Jets in mid-September, replacing the injured Braden Mann. But, with Mann eventually designated for return, Morstead’s services were no longer needed in New York and he was cut. The veteran averaged 48.2 yards per punt with the Jets, his best average since 2016. His spent the second half of the season with the Falcons, where he averaged 46.1 yards on his 22 punts.
Michael Palardy was the Dolphins punter in 2021, but the veteran remains unsigned.
Minor NFL Transactions: 4/4/22
Today’s minor moves around the NFL:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: TE Stephen Anderson
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: CB Nik Needham (second-round RFA tender)