Matt Orzech

Minor NFL Transactions: 3/15/23

Today’s minor transactions:

Cincinnati Bengals

Denver Broncos

Green Bay Packers

Indianapolis Colts

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

Washington Commanders

Smith got a two-year deal from Denver that can max out at $5.5MM, per Mike Klis of 9News in Denver (via Twitter). Smith got a $1.4MM signing bonus to join the Broncos, per Troy Renck of Denver7 (via Twitter). After finishing last in kicker return average in 2022, the Broncos should get a bump from Smith, who averaged 23.9 yards on his 40 kickoff returns for Houston over the past two years.

Packers Tried To Claim LS Matt Orzech

The Packers attempted to claim long snapper Matt Orzech, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter). However, the Rams had higher priority in the order due to their 10-6 finish. The Packers, meanwhile, went 13-3 (and nearly reached the Super Bowl).

[RELATED: Titans Cut Orzech, Orchard]

Orzech, a 2019 undrafted free agent, saw 16 games as a rookie with the Jaguars. In 2020, he had stints with the Jaguars and Dolphins before landing with the Titans’ practice squad. On Monday, the Titans waived him along with linebacker Nate Orchard and tight end Parker Hesse.

Meanwhile, the Packers have bigger fish to fry. Star quarterback Aaron Rodgers still wants out and the Packers continue to insist that he’ll stay put. Still, the Broncos believe that they can swing a trade for Rodgers — especially since the other potential suitors have found other solutions at QB.

Titans Cut LB Nate Orchard

Nate Orchard‘s stint with the Titans has come to an end. The Titans released the veteran linebacker today, per the NFL ‘s official transactions report. Tennessee also waived tight end Parker Hesse and long snapper Matt Orzech.

The 2015 second-round pick lived up to his draft stock during his rookie season, finishing with three sacks and four QB hits. After spending most of his sophomore campaign on the IR, Orchard settled into a backup role with the Browns in 2017, but he was cut by Cleveland prior to the 2018 campaign. Since that time, the veteran has bounced around the NFL, spending time with the Bills, Chiefs, Seahawks, Dolphins, Washington, and Texans. He saw time in three games for WFT last season, collecting a pair of tackles.

After getting cut by Washington in November, Orchard caught on with the Titans practice squad. He inked a futures contract with the organization in January. Ultimately, the 28-year-old won’t make it to training camp with the organization.

Orzech, a 2019 undrafted free agent, got into 16 games as a rookie with the Jaguars. In 2020, he had stints with the Jaguars and Dolphins before landing with the Titans practice squad.

Hesse, a former University of Iowa standout, spent most of the 2020 season on Tennessee’s practice squad.

NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 1/15/21

Here are the latest reserve/futures contracts given out:

Baltimore Ravens

Chicago Bears

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Las Vegas Raiders

  • QB Kyle Sloter

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Tennessee Titans

Washington Football Team

NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 1/11/21

A long list of reserve/futures contracts to pass along:

Chicago Bears

Indianapolis Colts

New York Giants

Seattle Seahawks

Tennessee Titans

Washington Football Team