Lions OL Halapoulivaati Vaitai Agrees To Pay Cut, Removes 2024 Season From Deal
Although the Lions featured one of the NFL’s better offensive lines last season, they were missing one of their starters throughout. Rather than make Halapoulivaati Vaitai a cap casualty, the team will see if the former starter can contribute in 2023.
The Lions reached a pay-cut agreement with Vaitai, Justin Rogers of the Detroit News tweets. Vaitai has also agreed to trim the 2024 season off his contract, making him a free agent after this coming year. Vaitai was attached to a five-year, $45MM deal — one signed in 2020 — but after he missed all of last season, he agreed to a reduction that will create cap space for the Lions.
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Vaitai’s base salary will drop from $9.4MM to $3MM in 2023, per OverTheCap, with 2024 now being a void year. Vaitai’s 2023 cap hit will be reduced from $12.45MM to $5.1MM. As of Thursday morning, the Lions hold $26.1MM in cap space — third-most in the NFL. The void component here would add $3.8MM in dead money onto Detroit’s 2024 cap if Vaitai is not re-signed before the 2024 league year.
A September back surgery sidelined Vaitai last year, leading Evan Brown to replace him as the Lions’ primary right guard. Vaitai, 29, had worked as Detroit’s starter there from 2020-21, having come over from Philadelphia. Brown, who was Frank Ragnow‘s injury replacement in 2021, has since signed with the Seahawks. The Lions, however, have brought back Graham Glasgow as a potential guard option.
Formerly an Eagles tackle fill-in, Vaitai collected $20MM guaranteed as part of his 2020 agreement. He already reworked that deal in 2021 to create cap space. The Lions will see if they can get more out of that deal, and rather than refuse a pay cut and head into free agency coming off an injury-erased season, Vaitai will aim to return to form in Detroit. The Lions still have all five of their O-line starters in place from 2021, with Ragnow, Taylor Decker, Jonah Jackson and Penei Sewell under contract.
Glasgow’s cap figure will check in at $2.68MM, Rogers adds (on Twitter). The Lions also used a void year to finalize this reunion, though only $1.47MM would accelerate onto Detroit’s 2024 cap were Glasgow not re-signed before the start of the next league year. Glasgow, 30, wanted to return to Detroit but said (via Rogers) the 49ers and Panthers showed interest as well. The 49ers have since added Jon Feliciano as an interior swingman. Glasgow could wind up with a bigger role in Detroit, looking like the top replacement for Vaitai. Should Vaitai be unable to return to full strength, Glasgow has a clear path to becoming a Lions starter again.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/22/23
Here are today’s minor moves from around the NFL:
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: DE Michael Dogbe, DT Henry Mondeaux
Los Angeles Chargers
- Re-signed: CB Kemon Hall, K Cameron Dicker
Los Angeles Rams
- Re-signed: DT Michael Hoecht
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: LB Troy Reeder
- Re-signed: FB C.J. Ham
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: DE Austin Bryant
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/20/23
Here are Monday’s minor moves:
Cincinnati Bengals
- Re-signed: G Max Scharping
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: CB Mike Ford
Denver Broncos
- Released: LB Wyatt Ray
- Waived: CB Lamar Jackson
Green Bay Packers
- Re-signed: CB Corey Ballentine
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: S Jaquan Johnson
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: DB Lonnie Johnson
New York Giants
- Signed: CB Leonard Johnson
San Francisco 49ers
- Re-signed: TE Ross Dwelley
The Giants are giving Leonard Johnson a three-year deal, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 tweets. The former Duke prospect suffered a torn ACL while training for the 2022 draft; the Giants worked him out Monday and saw enough to take a flier. While Ford made two starts for the Falcons last season, the ex-UDFA is best known for his special teams work. He saw action on 83% of Atlanta’s ST plays last season, and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com notes (via Twitter) the Bengals are giving him a one-year deal worth up to $2.25MM.
Both Scharping and Lonnie Johnson are former Texans second-round picks. The Texans waived Scharping on roster-cutdown day in August, but the Bengals claimed him. Although Scharping only played 30 snaps for Cincinnati last season, the team will keep him around for another run at a backup gig. Months before bailing on Scharping, the Texans traded Johnson to the Chiefs. But Kansas City did not see much from the acquisition in camp and waived him. The Titans picked up Johnson via waivers, using him as a backup. Johnson has experience at both cornerback and safety, and The Score’s Jordan Schultz adds he agreed to a one-year Saints deal (Twitter link).
49ers, OL Jon Feliciano Agree To Deal
Jon Feliciano will leave New York for San Francisco. The former Bills and Giants starter is joining the 49ers, according to Newsday’s Kim Jones (on Twitter). This is a one-year agreement.
The 49ers are giving Feliciano $2.5MM fully guaranteed, Dan Duggan of The Athletic tweets. The team included another $1MM via incentives. The base is down a bit from Feliciano’s 2022 Giants pact — a one-year, $3.25MM deal — but that agreement moved the veteran blocker into position to be a starter. This one looks like it will be for a swingman role.
Following Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen from Buffalo to the Big Apple, Feliciano rebounded from two injury-prone seasons with the Bills by starting 15 Giants contests last season. The team showed interest in re-signing both Feliciano and Nick Gates, but both will be elsewhere in 2023. Gates signed with Washington last week.
After going into last season with startlingly inexperienced first-string interior offensive line, the 49ers stuck with the Aaron Banks–Jake Brendel–Spencer Burford trio. But supplanted starter Daniel Brunskill still played a steady role as a swingman and rotational presence. Brunskill has since rejoined Ran Carthon in Tennessee. Feliciano now looks like he will be San Francisco’s inside swing player.
Feliciano, 31, has experience at both center and guard, lining up as the Giants’ pivot but playing guard alongside Mitch Morse with the Bills. The former fourth-round Raiders pick has lasted eight NFL seasons, going from Oakland backup to starter on each of his New York teams. Feliciano has made 54 NFL starts.
The Bills gave Feliciano an extension after his 16-game 2019 season, but after injuries shortened his 2020 and ’21 slates, the team made him a cap casualty in 2022. Employing a Buffalo-imported power structure, the Giants gave him another opportunity. Pro Football Focus did not think much of Feliciano’s first season as a full-time center starter, ranking him 31st at the position. But he played a key role for a resurgent Giants team and has fared better at guard in the past.
The Titans gave Brunskill a two-year, $5.5MM pact, which represents a nice bump from his 49ers rookie deal. The NFC West franchise will move on to another low-cost veteran option. Considering Brunskill played 519 offensive snaps despite starting only two games, this Feliciano addition could prove pivotal for the 49ers’ O-line next season.
49ers Sign S Myles Hartsfield
The 49ers have added a quality piece to their secondary, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, agreeing to terms with former Panthers safety Myles Hartsfield. The Panthers recently opted not to tender Hartsfield, and despite discussions aimed at a return, the versatile defensive back heads to San Francisco after three years in Carolina. 
An undrafted free agent out of Ole Miss in 2020, Hartsfield made the Panthers’ initial 53-man roster after practicing at both safety and running back in training camp. It took a while before he made his debut, and while he initially started play as a special teamer, the Panthers couldn’t resist including him on defense more and more. By the end of the season, he was a regular rotation on defense.
In his sophomore season, Hartsfield was placed on injured reserve after Week 1. After seven games on IR, Hartsfield earned his first career start and would start the remainder of the season. His usage that year displayed his versatility as he spent very little time at safety and most of his snaps either in the slot or in the box.
Last year, Hartsfield continued in his versatile role, starting ten games for the Panthers. He spent much more time at the safety position in 2022 but still spent the majority of his snaps in the slot and a good amount in the box. Over three years in Carolina, Hartsfield has racked up 118 total tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack, two quarterback hits, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble, and seven passes defensed.
The 49ers are all set at safety. Despite the departure of Jimmie Ward, San Francisco still returns both starters in Talanoa Hufanga and Tashaun Gipson, who re-signed with the team earlier this week. Hartsfield should be a strong option to play at nickel or as a box safety. His presence provides the 49ers already stellar defense with a versatile weapon.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/16/23
Today’s minor NFL transactions:
Baltimore Ravens
- Re-signed: LS Nick Moore
Dallas Cowboys
- Re-signed: CB C.J. Goodwin
Denver Broncos
- Re-signed: S P.J. Locke
Miami Dolphins
- Re-signed: FB John Lovett
New England Patriots
- Re-signed: LS Joe Cardona
San Francisco 49ers
- Re-signed: LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, DT T.Y. McGill
There’s some long snapper news to pass along! Cardona will be returning to New England for his ninth season with the organization, making him the Patriots’ second-longest tenured player (behind Matthew Slater). Per ESPN’s Mike Reiss (on Twitter), Cardona got a four-year deal with a $1MM signing bonus, with that latter value being “an important marker” for the veteran to clear.
Meanwhile, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic tweets that Moore will be getting a two-year, $2.5MM deal. The long snapper was non-tendered by Baltimore yesterday but ultimately re-upped with the team on a multiyear deal. Per Zrebiec, Moore received interest from other teams but wanted to stick around Baltimore. The 30-year-old has been with the Ravens since 2020 and earned a second-team All-Pro nod in 2022.
RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/15/23
Today’s tender decisions from around the NFL:
RFAs
Tendered:
- Bills: CB Dane Jackson
- Patriots: CB Myles Bryant, OT Yodny Cajuste
Non-tendered:
- 49ers: LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles
- Lions: OL Tommy Kraemer, DB Bobby Price
- Panthers: QB P.J. Walker
- Rams: QB Bryce Perkins
- Ravens: C-G Trystan Colon-Castillo, LS Nick Moore, LB Del’Shawn Phillips, S Geno Stone, ILB Kristian Welch
- Saints: WR Marquez Callaway
- Seahawks: LB Tanner Muse
ERFAs
Tendered:
- Buccaneers: CB Dee Delaney
- Rams: DT Michael Hoecht, CB Shaun Jolly, LB Christian Rozeboom
- Titans: DT Naquan Jones
49ers To Sign CB Isaiah Oliver
Isaiah Oliver is heading out west. The 49ers are signing the former Falcons cornerback, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo (via Twitter). It’s a two-year deal, according to ESPN’s Nick Wagoner (via Twitter).
Oliver was a second-round by the Falcons back in 2018. He inked a one-year extension with the organization last offseason, extending his Atlanta stint to five total seasons. The cornerback ultimately got into 62 games (38 starts) for the Falcons.
Oliver’s 2021 campaign was limited to only four games thanks to a knee injury, but he managed to get into 12 games (five starts) in 2021. The defensive back finished the campaign having compiled 37 tackles, seven passes defended, and one interception. Pro Football Focus was especially fond of his performance, ranking him 10th among 118 qualifying cornerbacks.
In San Francisco, Oliver is expected to compete for the nickel back job, per Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area (on Twitter). Deommodore Lenoir and AJ Parker will also provide some competition at that spot.
Restructure Details: Cousins, Bills, Cowboys, Saints, Warner, Jets, Texans
Facing a Kirk Cousins cap crunch last year, the Vikings worked out a third contract with their starting quarterback. They did not take that path this year. Minnesota instead agreed to a restructure, per NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter). The reworking frees up $16MM in cap space for the Vikings, ESPN’s Kevin Seifert tweets. The Vikes look to have tacked on two more void years to Cousins’ deal. While the void years — for cap-reducing purposes — run through 2027, Cousins’ contract expires after the 2023 season. No extension is imminent.
The 34-year-old passer has enjoyed leverage throughout his Vikings relationship — via his free agency in 2018, ahead of his 2020 contract year on that fully guaranteed deal, and in 2022 as his second Vikes pact was set to produce a historic cap hit — but Minnesota’s new regime may now be looking toward moving on after the season. This will be a situation to monitor moving forward; Cousins has not played in a contract year since his 2017 Washington finale.
Here is the latest on teams’ restructures:
- The Bills moved close to the 2023 league year in a cap hole, but they restructured the deals of their two highest-profile players to create considerable space. Buffalo reworked Josh Allen and Von Miller‘s contracts to create approximately $32MM in space, ESPN’s Field Yates tweets. The Bills have moved their way up past $8MM in cap room.
- Per usual, the Saints have been hard at work on restructures. They adjusted the deals of Cameron Jordan, Alvin Kamara and Marshon Lattimore to create cap space, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Katherine Terrell (all Twitter links). The Jordan move created more than $10MM in cap space for New Orleans, which was back to being north of $20MM over the cap following its Derek Carr signing. As the league year begins, New Orleans made it under the cap by just more than $300K.
- In addition to restructuring Tyron Smith‘s deal to ensure the All-Decade tackle plays a 13th season with the team, the Cowboys adjusted the contracts of DeMarcus Lawrence and Michael Gallup, Todd Archer of ESPN.com notes (Twitter links). Between them, the Lawrence and Gallup restructures freed up around $16MM for Dallas, which had already created more than $30MM in space by redoing Dak Prescott and Zack Martin‘s deals last week.
- The 49ers restructured Fred Warner‘s extension, according to Yates (on Twitter). The move created nearly $9MM in cap space for San Francisco, which gave Javon Hargrave a four-year, $84MM deal to start the legal tampering period. A void year now exists in Warner’s contract, which runs through 2026 (with the void year coming in 2027). Warner’s cap number drops to $9MM but spikes past $24MM in 2024, which will probably prompt more maneuvering from the 49ers. They currently hold just more than $12MM in cap space.
- Circling back to the Vikings, Jordan Hicks agreed to a restructure that will keep him in Minnesota this season, Insidethebirds.com’s Adam Caplan tweets. Hicks signed a two-year, $10MM deal with the Vikings last year.
- Amid their Aaron Rodgers pursuit, the Jets created $4.8MM in cap space by restructuring John Franklin-Myers‘ contract, Yates tweets. Two void years are attached to the defensive lineman’s pact, which runs through 2025.
- Texans safety Eric Murray agreed to a restructured deal as well, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 notes. Attached to a two-year, $10MM deal he signed in 2022, Murray remains on a Texans team that has seen its roster become crowded at safety. The team has added Jimmie Ward and re-signed M.J. Stewart this week. Murray played 17 games for the Texans last season but did not start any. This sounds like a pay-cut agreement, with Wilson adding Murray can make up to $4MM this season.
49ers, DE Clelin Ferrell Agree To Deal
Clelin Ferrell‘s time with the Raiders did not go according to plan, but he will now have an opportunity to rebuild some of his value in a new home. The defensive end is signing a one-year deal with the 49ers, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter (Twitter link). 
The Raiders raised eyebrows when they drafted Ferrell fourth overall in 2019. That decision upped expectations for the Clemson product, who profiled as a solid contributor at the NFL level, but not the focal point of a team’s edge rush group. He operated as a full-time starter for the first two years of his career, but totaled just 6.5 sacks across that span.
A dramatic drop in playing time followed, as fellow 2019 draftee Maxx Crosby established himself as the team’s top performer in the pass rush department. Ferrell saw his snap share fall to 24% that year, leaving his future with the team very much in doubt. He, like the Raiders’ other first-rounders from the 2019 class, had his fifth-year option declined in a move which came as little surprise.
The 25-year-old’s roster spot was thought to be in jeopardy during training camp, given the arrival of a new coaching and defensive staff, along with his struggles early in his career. He did manage to remain on the 53-man roster, though his name was included in trade talk in the build-up to this year’s deadline. In 2022, Ferrell played in a rotational role, recording a pair of sacks and drawing a middling review in terms of PFF grade.
In San Francisco, he will have the chance to play alongside a number of highly-regarded d-linemen. The 49ers have already added Javon Hargrave to their defensive interior, and have Nick Bosa and Arik Armstead available as productive veterans up front. The team is set to lose Charles Omenihu to the Chiefs, so Ferrell could step into his place as a young option aiming to serve in a rotational capacity and play his way into a more substantial deal next year.