AFC Contract Details: Mafe, Titans, Raiders, Dean, Bills, Texans, Jets, Pats, Steelers, Jags, Ravens
With the first wave of free agency in the rearview mirror, it is time to take stock of the full numbers given to some of this year’s top targets. Here are the details on some of the top contracts awarded by AFC teams:
- Boye Mafe, DE (Bengals). Three years, $60MM. The Bengals gave Mafe $19MM guaranteed at signing, according to OverTheCap. The ex-Seahawk is projected to land $43.3MM over the deal’s first two seasons, ESPN.com’s Ben Baby tweets. A $2MM roster bonus is due on Day 5 of the 2027 league year.
- Alontae Taylor, CB (Titans). Three years, $58MM. Taylor received $42MM guaranteed at signing, according to OverTheCap. The ex-Saints CB will receive $22MM in 2026, SI.com’s Albert Breer tweets.
- Wan’Dale Robinson, WR (Titans). Four years, $70MM. Robinson secured $36.98MM guaranteed at signing, Breer tweets. Neither of Robinson’s 2028 or ’29 base salaries contain guarantees or guarantee mechanisms. Each year carries $2MM in incentives, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweets.
- Kwity Paye, OLB (Raiders). Three years, $48MM. Paye secured $31.28MM guaranteed, per Wilson; of that total, $25.34MM is locked in at signing (according to OverTheCap). Paye landed $10MM of his $15.5MM 2027 salary guaranteed at signing; the remainder of his ’27 salary vests on Day 4 of 2027 league year.
- Bradley Chubb, OLB (Bills). Three years, $43.5MM. Of Chubb’s previously reported $29MM guarantee, Wilson notes $21.74MM is guaranteed at signing. Chubb will see a $4MM roster bonus on Day 5 of the 2028 league year, per OverTheCap.
- Alijah Vera-Tucker, G (Patriots). Three years, $42MM. Vera-Tucker’s $21MM signing bonus represents his guarantees at signing, Wilson tweets, though the team has included a notable wrinkle. Vera-Tucker will earn $250K for each game he is active, with NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero noting this is among the highest per-game roster bonus figures in NFL history.
- Ed Ingram, G (Texans). Three years, $37.5MM. Receiving $20MM guaranteed at signing, the former second-round pick secured $5MM of his $8.5MM 2027 salary guaranteed at signing. The rest shifts from an injury guarantee to a full guarantee on Day 5 of the ’27 league year, per Spotrac.
- Jamel Dean, CB (Steelers). Three years, $36.75MM. Keeping with Steelers non-QB/T.J. Watt norms, Dean’s guarantee is his signing bonus ($12MM). Dean would receive a $4MM roster bonus on Day 3 of the 2027 league year, Wilson notes.
- Nakobe Dean, LB (Raiders). Three years, $36MM. Nakobe Dean scored $20MM guaranteed at signing, according to Wilson. The former Eagles linebacker, who missed 12 games due to injury in 2023 and six in ’25, will see $8.5MM of his $11.5MM 2027 salary guaranteed. The remainder becomes guarantee on Day 3 of the ’27 league year (via Spotrac).
- Joseph Ossai, OLB (Jets). Three years, $34.5MM. Ossai will receive $22.49MM guaranteed at signing, Wilson tweets. Ossai’s 2026 and ’27 base salaries are fully guaranteed.
- Montaric Brown, CB (Jaguars). Three years, $31.8MM. Brown landed $20.65MM fully guaranteed, Wilson tweets. The former seventh-round pick secured $8.15MM of his $9.5MM 2027 salary guaranteed at signing.
- John Simpson, G (Ravens). Three years, $30MM. Simpson secured $17.5MM fully guaranteed, Wilson notes. This includes $5.5MM of an $8MM 2027 salary.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/16/26
Today’s minor moves:
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: LB Segun Olubi
New England Patriots
- Signed: LS Niko Lalos
Tennessee Titans
- Signed ERFA tender: WR Bryce Oliver
Eagles Trading WR A.J. Brown Seen As ‘Inevitable’
MARCH 14: While a Brown deal didn’t happen in the often active first week of free agency, his exit via trade is still seen “as inevitable,” according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Florio’s source claims the team could be “careening toward a potential cap mess in 2027” if Brown stays in Philadelphia for the 2026 season. It appears to be a question of when a trade will happen (before or after June 1), not if.
The aforementioned concerns of dead money still exist. But thanks to the Panthers keeping a massive Jaelan Phillips charge off Philly’s books, there is some belief in the building that the Eagles are more equipped to carry the dead money now, if they choose to ship out Brown before June 1. The advantage of doing so would be to give the personnel department a better idea of what the roster will look like in 2026. Plus, potentially acquiring 2026 draft capital in the trade could help the Eagles quickly fill the hole left by Brown’s departure. It’s a waiting game at the moment, but how long it lasts appears to be in the hands of the Eagles’ front office.
MARCH 13: The Eagles’ A.J. Brown trade talks are on hold for the time being. After engaging in “serious conversations” with the Rams and Patriots, the Eagles have decided to retain Brown for now, per Dianna Russini of The Athletic. If a trade materializes, it won’t happen until around June, Russini adds.
Dealing Brown before June would come at a severe cost to Philadelphia. The Eagles would absorb a $43.45MM dead cap charge, a record for a receiver. They would also lose $20.12MM in cap room.
A post-June 1 deal would be reminiscent of the Falcons trading star wideout Julio Jones to the Titans in 2021. With Jones then entering his age-32 season, the Falcons dealt him and a sixth-rounder for a second- and a fourth-rounder.
In the event general manager Howie Roseman pulls the trigger then, the Eagles would spread Brown’s dead money over two years. While the Eagles would face a $16.35MM charge in 2026 and a $27.1MM fee in ’27, they would save $7MM on their cap next season.
Roseman has reportedly held out for a package consisting of at least a first- and second-rounder for Brown, but it does not appear anyone will bite before April’s draft. The Rams already dealt their original first-round pick away in acquiring former Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie last week. Los Angeles still has another first-rounder (No. 13 overall, originally Atlanta’s selection), and GM Les Snead has never been shy to ship out top picks for immediate upgrades. However, that may be too pricey for the soon-to-be 29-year-old Brown.
If the Rams do acquire Brown before the season, it would give them an embarrassment of riches at receiver. Head coach Sean McVay, offensive coordinator Nate Scheelhaase and MVP-winning quarterback Matthew Stafford would have Brown, Puka Nacua and Davante Adams as a trio for at least one season. While Brown is under contract through 2029, Nacua and Adams are on schedule to become free agents next year. In all likelihood, though, the Rams will work out a massive extension with Nacua before then.
The reigning AFC champion Patriots, meanwhile, are in line to keep the 31st pick. In heading to New England, Brown would reunite with Mike Vrabel, who was his coach in Tennessee from 2019-21. The two still have a strong relationship, but the Patriots have less urgency to meet the Eagles’ demands after adding former Packer Romeo Doubs on a four-year, $80MM contract in free agency.
If the Eagles are shutting down talks until the summer, other teams could enter the race for Brown by then. Aside from the Patriots, the three-time Pro Bowler’s wish list reportedly features the Bills, Chargers and Chiefs. None of those three clubs have pursued Brown with much gusto, but perhaps circumstances will change a few months from now.
Eagles Unlikely To Trade WR A.J. Brown Before June?
Through the outset of the new league year, no A.J. Brown trade has been worked out. The Eagles‘ preference was to resolve this situation at the start of free agency, but much of the league’s high-profile deals have already taken place no swap has taken place. 
Any Brown trade worked out before June 1 would result in massive dead cap charges, something which of course represents motivation for patience on the Eagles’ part. According to SportsBoom’s Jason La Canfora, there is now an expectation among NFL executives a swap – if one is to take place at all – will not occur until after that date. There is still interest in this case nevertheless.
The Patriots have been named as a strong suitor for Brown both before and after the free agent arrival of Romeo Doubs. New England is indeed still regarded as one of the logical landing spots for Brown, La Canfora adds, although any trade will not come at a discount. The Eagles have maintained a high asking price, and NFL evaluators contend “more than a first-round pick” will be required for GM Howie Roseman to accept an offer in the near future.
That price may be lowered after the draft, by which point the number of teams willing to acquire Brown will no doubt drop. The three-time Pro Bowler is under contract for four more years, although 2026 is the final season which includes guaranteed base pay. Brown has topped 1,000 yards in six of his seven NFL seasons, including each of his three in Philadelphia. Talk regarding dissatisfaction with the Eagles’ offense has been ongoing for a lengthy period, however, leading many to see this offseason as the time for a parting of ways.
The Rams were previously mentioned as a team to watch on the Brown front. They have since been busy, adding Trent McDuffie via trade and fellow former Chiefs cornerback Jaylen Watson in free agency. In spite of that, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports Los Angeles continues to monitor the situation. She cautions that conversations with Roseman about Brown have slowed since the McDuffie trade, one which saw the Rams part with one of their two 2026 first-round picks.
Los Angeles has extension candidate Puka Nacua and veteran Davante Adams in place at the receiver spot. The latter only has one year remaining on his contract, however, so adding a long-term replacement could be viable for the Rams (which was not recently mentioned as one of the teams on Brown’s wish list). The team owns pick No. 13, a far more attractive selection than New England’s No. 31. Whether or not a swap based on either of those picks can be worked out will be worth monitoring.
RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/11/26
Today’s restricted free agent and exclusive free agent tenders:
RFAs
Tendered:
- Bills: OT Ryan Van Demark
- Buccaneers: RB Sean Tucker
- Seahawks: WR Jake Bobo
- Titans: WR Bryce Oliver
Non-tendered:
- Eagles: FB Ben VanSumeren
- Panthers: LB Claudin Cherelus
- Patriots: LB Jack Gibbens
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/11/26
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Re-signed: RB Zonovan Knight
- Signed: LS Casey Kreiter
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: C Corey Levin, LB Channing Tindall
Carolina Panthers
- Re-signed: DE Trevis Gipson, TE James Mitchell
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: TE Jack Stoll
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: LB Tyrus Wheat
Denver Broncos
- Re-signed: FB Adam Prentice
Green Bay Packers
- Re-signed: OLB Brenton Cox, DT Jonathan Ford
Los Angeles Chargers
- Re-signed: LS Josh Harris
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: S Zayne Anderson, TE Ben Sims
New England Patriots
- Signed: S Mike Brown, TE Julian Hill
New York Giants
- Re-signed: LB Zaire Barnes
New York Jets
- Re-signed: OT Max Mitchell
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Re-signed: OL Jack Driscoll
San Francisco 49ers
- Re-signed: RB Patrick Taylor
Seattle Seahawks
- Re-signed: LS Chris Stoll
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: DE Malik Herring
Patriots To Sign S Kevin Byard
The Patriots are not resting on the laurels of their elite defensive performance in 2025. Instead, they are continuing to upgrade the unit with veteran safety Kevin Byard. He is expected to sign a one-year, $9MM deal, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
In New England, Byard will reunite with Mike Vrabel, who was his head coach for much of his time in Tennessee.
The 2016 third-round pick earned a starting job in his second year and received a first-team All-Pro nod after le Vrabel was hired the following offseason, and Byard was a key part of his defense for the next five years. He was named an All-Pro again in 2021 and put up another strong campaign in 2022, but he was sent to the Eagles at the 2023 trade deadline after the Titans’ 2-4 start. That was also Vrabel’s last year in Tennessee.
Byard signed a two-year, $15MM contract to join the Bears in 2024 and started every game. He was one of many players to see a big jump in performance under the new coaching staff in 2025 with seven interceptions and his third first-team All-Pro selection. Chicago worked to retain him, but Byard preferred to join his former head coach and the reigning AFC champions, per The Exhibit’s Josina Anderson.
In New England, Byard will replace Jaylinn Hawkins in the Patriots secondary after his departure to Baltimore. Hawkins started 15 games in 2025 with a team-high four interceptions, production that the veteran ballhawks should be able to replace. Byard will slot in next to rookie standout Craig Woodson, where his decade of NFL experience could foster the development of the 2025 fourth-round pick.
Patriots To Release Anfernee Jennings
Although the Patriots shopped outside linebacker Anfernee Jennings before last November’s trade deadline, he ended up finishing the season with the AFC champions. The team is now set to release Jennings, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
This will end a lengthy tenure in New England for Jennings, who joined what was then a Bill Belichick-led franchise in 2020. Initially an inside linebacker, the former third-rounder from Alabama made minimal impact as a reserve during his first three seasons. Jennings missed his entire second year with an undisclosed injury.
After a 16-game, three-start 2022, Jennings took on a much bigger role the next season. As a 14-game starter in 15 appearances, Jennings totaled 66 tackles and 14 TFL over 677 defensive snaps. Jennings only put up 1.5 sacks, but he was a force against the run. The Patriots were impressed enough to hand Jennings a three-year, $12MM deal during the ensuing offseason.
Jennings remained in a starting role in 2024, the Patriots’ lone season with Jerod Mayo as their head coach. The 6-foot-2, 255-pounder recorded career highs in snaps (831), tackles (78), starts (16), QB hits (nine) and sacks (2.5).
In a move that helped spark a drastic one-year turnaround for the Patriots, Mike Vrabel replaced Mayo in 2025. Jennings played 14 games under Vrabel and a new staff, but his impact diminished. Across 280 snaps and three starts, Jennings logged 26 tackles, seven QB hits, five TFL and a pair of sacks. He chipped in another 16 tackles and two sacks in the Patriots’ four-game playoff run. Pro Football Focus ranked Jennings’ regular-season performance a middling 57th among 119 qualifying edge rushers, though he earned a top-20 grade against the run.
In releasing the 28-year-old Jennings, the Patriots will save around $3.8MM. The club lost edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson to the Commanders earlier Wednesday, but it prepared for his exit in agreeing to sign Dre’Mont Jones on Monday.
Patriots To Sign LB K.J. Britt
The Patriots are adding a veteran piece to their defense. Linebacker K.J. Britt is heading to New England on a one-year deal, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Britt, 26, was a 2021 fifth-round pick who spent the first four years of his career in Tampa Bay. He emerged as a starter in 2024 but only received a one-year deal from the Dolphins in the following offseason. He appeared in every game in Miami last year with a backup role on defense and career-high 334 special teams snaps.
Britt will now join what has quietly become a deep off-ball linebacker room. The group is led by veterans Robert Spillane, Christian Elliss, and Jack Gibbens. Marte Mapu and Chad Muma, both 2023 draft picks, provide depth and contribute on special teams.
Britt will fall into the latter category and is somewhat of a roster replacement for Jahlani Tavai, who was released on Monday after five years in New England, per Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. The move saves $1.7MM in 2026 cap space with just under $3.5MM in dead money, per OverTheCap, though those numbers can change to $3.2MM and $2.0MM with a post-June 1 designation. Tavai still has $600k in guaranteed salary due in 2026 as well.
Tavai started 32 games in his previous two seasons in New England, but his playing time went down sharply after Mike Vrabel’s arrival last year. His 32% defensive snap share was the second-lowest of his career, and his statistics dropped accordingly. The seven-year veteran’s history of strong special teams play should ensure that he finds a new home before the season.
Commanders To Add DE K’Lavon Chaisson
K’Lavon Chaisson completed a midcareer breakout last season, impressing on a one-year deal with the Patriots. While a multiyear pact will not come together for the Super Bowl regular, he will receive a notable raise after boosting his stock.
After losing out on the Trey Hendrickson sweepstakes, the Commanders are adding Chaisson, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets. It is a one-year deal worth $12MM, with Chaisson joining fellow free agent Odafe Oweh to refuel Washington’s defensive end corps.
This represents an appreciable increase over the one-year, $5MM pact Chaisson signed with the Patriots last March. While Chaisson was coming off a personal-best five-sack season with the Raiders then, his career had nonetheless been a disappointment. The Jaguars thought enough of the former LSU standout to use the 20th pick on him in 2020, but Chaisson managed just five sacks over four years in their uniform.
Last season was another step forward for Chaisson, who registered a new career high with 7.5 sacks in 16 games (10 starts) for the AFC-winning Patriots. He added 18 QB hits, twice as many as his previous high of nine, as well as 10 TFL and two forced fumbles. Chaisson continued to produce in the postseason, a four-game run in which he added three more sacks and a forced fumble.
Aside from taking what proved to be a successful one-year gamble on Von Miller, the Commanders did little to address their pass rush last offseason. It has been a clear point of emphasis this year, however, with Oweh and Chaisson coming aboard to join Dorance Armstrong as Washington’s top edge rushers. Miller, who led last year’s team with nine sacks despite playing just under 37% of snaps, is now a free agent.
During a bitterly disappointing 5-12 showing in 2025, the Commanders’ defense ranked 27th in the NFL in scoring and dead last in yards allowed. Head coach Dan Quinn subsequently replaced coordinator Joe Whitt with Daronte Jones in January. General manager Adam Peters has since upgraded the unit’s personnel in adding Oweh, Chaisson, linebacker Leo Chenal, tackle Tim Settle and cornerback Amik Robertson early in free agency.