Seahawks To Sign Uchenna Nwosu
The Chargers recently added to their pass rushing group, but they are now reportedly losing an incumbent edge rusher. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Seahawks are signing Uchenna Nwosu to a two-year, $20MM contract (Twitter link). The deal includes $10.5MM in guaranteed money.
[RELATED: Chargers To Acquire Khalil Mack]
The 25-year-old spent the first four seasons of his career with the Chargers. His production has increased incrementally during that time, as he has taken on a progressively increased workload. 2021 was the first season in which he played more than half of the team’s defensive snaps, with 67%.
Nwosu took advantage of the increased opportunity, totalling 40 tackles, five sacks and two forced fumbles. Given the steps forward he has taken in his tenure, along with his age, the former second rounder was seen by many as an under-the-radar option for teams looking to make an impact signing in the pass-rush department.
The move continues the re-making of the Seahawks’ roster. In the aftermath of franchise icons Russell Wilson and Bobby Wagner being traded and released, respectively, the team is making it clear they are not entering a rebuild. The re-signing of safety Quandre Diggs, for instance, is a sign they are still willing to invest in high-priced pieces to their defense. Nwosu’s addition represents an effort to get younger at key positions, but nevertheless a commitment to remaining competitive in 2022.
Seahawks To Sign Artie Burns
Former Chicago cornerback Artie Burns is headed to Seattle. Burns has agreed to sign with the Seahawks on a one-year $2MM deal (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com). 
[RELATED: Jets Sign Ex-Seahawks CB DJ Reed]
The Bears initially signed Burns in 2020, but the former Steelers first-round pick suffered a torn ACL that led to an IR placement last summer. After a couple more roster moves, he found his way into eleven regular season games last year, including six starts. He finished out 2021 with 23 tackles, one tackle for a loss, and six passes defensed.
The Seahawks have just lost cornerback D.J. Reed to the Jets, marking the second straight year that they’ve lost their No. 1 CB. Seattle did manage to re-sign Sidney Jones, but Jones and Burns won’t be enough to hold down the secondary. The cornerback position still figures to be a priority for the Seahawks over the next few waves of free agency as well as the April draft.
Contract Details: Crosby, Gregory, Campbell, Conner, Jensen, Dissly, Glowinski
Here are the details from the latest agreed-upon contracts around the league:
- Maxx Crosby, DE (Raiders): Four years, $94MM. The Raiders gave Crosby a $13MM signing bonus and have fully guaranteed his 2022 and ’23 base salaries ($3.5MM, $10MM), Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk notes. Crosby’s 2024 base ($19MM) will become fully guaranteed in 2023. Crosby’s 2025 and ’26 salaries ($21MM apiece) are nonguaranteed. There are $200K-per-year incentives included for All-Pro nods as well.
- Randy Gregory, OLB (Broncos): Five years, $70MM. Denver is giving Gregory a $10MM signing bonus and has the pass rusher attached to $4MM and $14MM base salaries in 2022 and ’23, respectively, per Brad Spielberger and Doug Kyed of Pro Football Focus (on Twitter). Both years are fully guaranteed, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets. Gregory’s deal includes $1MM roster bonuses in 2025 and ’26.
- De’Vondre Campbell, LB (Packers): Five years, $50MM. Green Bay is giving Campbell a $15MM signing bonus and has backloaded the base salaries. Campbell’s first two salaries check in at $1.1MM and $1.45MM, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com tweets. They spike to just north of $7MM by 2024. A $3MM roster bonus is also due on Day 3 of the 2023 league year, with a $2.9MM roster bonus due at the same point on the 2024 calendar.
- Ryan Jensen, C (Buccaneers): Three years, $39MM. Jensen will see $23MM fully guaranteed, Dan Graziano of ESPN.com tweets. His 2022 breakdown goes $1.5MM base salary and $12.5MM roster bonus. $9MM of Jensen’s $12.5MM 2023 base salary is fully guaranteed, and the other $3.5MM shifts to a full guarantee on Day 5 of the 2023 league year.
- Will Dissly, TE (Seahawks): Three years, $24MM (max value). The deal includes a $9.3MM signing bonus but is light on guaranteed salary. Dissly’s $1MM 2022 salary is fully guaranteed, while Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets the 2023 base ($5.64MM) is guaranteed for injury. The injury-prone tight end’s 2024 base ($6.49MM) is nonguaranteed.
- James Conner, RB (Cardinals): Three years, $21MM. Conner’s deal includes $13.5MM guaranteed, per Kyed and Spielberger (on Twitter). Conner’s 2022 and ’23 base salaries ($1.75MM and $5.75MM) are fully guaranteed.
- Mark Glowinski, G (Giants): Three years, $18.3MM. The Giants included a $4.5MM signing bonus, and Glowinski will have cap figures of $3.35MM (2022), $7.75MM (2023) and $7.2MM (’24). Glowinski is due a $1MM roster bonus in 2023 (Twitter links via The Athletic’s Dan Duggan).
Jets To Sign CB D.J. Reed
After bypassing a dire need at cornerback last year, the Jets are diving in early. They are signing D.J. Reed, according to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero (on Twitter).
Reed will come over from the Seahawks — on a three-year deal worth $33MM (including $21MM guaranteed, per Jordan Schultz on Twitter) — but has experience with Robert Saleh. The 49ers drafted Reed in the 2018 fifth round. He played two seasons in San Francisco, providing some system intel as he rejoins Saleh in New York.
A torn pectoral muscle sustained in early August 2020 led Reed from the Bay Area to the Pacific Northwest. The 49ers waived Reed with an injury designation, and the Seahawks claimed him. Reed elevated his profile in Seattle, starting 22 games over the past two seasons in a similar defensive system to the one Saleh deployed with the 49ers. The 5-foot-9 corner intercepted four passes during his Seahawks stay and allowed a career-low 67.8 passer rating when targeted last season.
The Seahawks hoped to re-sign Reed, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com tweets, but did not want to go to the $11MM-per-year level to do so. Gang Green also had Darious Williams and Donte Jackson on its radar, but Rich Cimini of ESPN.com adds Stephon Gilmore was not (Twitter link).
As of now, Reed stands to step in as the Jets’ No. 1 cornerback. They used Bryce Hall and Brandin Echols as their primary starters last season, one in which Saleh’s defense ranked 32nd in both points and yards allowed.
Deshaun Watson To Meet With Panthers, Saints
4:34pm: It may be an NFC South duel for Watson. The three-time Pro Bowler, as of Monday afternoon, is not willing to waive his no-trade clause for anyone but Carolina or New Orleans, John McClain of the Houston Chronicle said during an appearance on WFNZ (Twitter link). The Saints may have a slight lead in this race, with CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora noting Watson is “lukewarm at best” about the Panthers (Twitter link). While it has been reported Watson would waive his no-trade clause for the Panthers, this may not be his preferred outcome.
Watson has rejected the Seahawks, McClain adds (Twitter link). The Colts, as should be expected, are not in this mix. Though, they may or may not have tried. The Texans denied their AFC South rivals permission to speak with Watson, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. The Seahawks, reported as an interested party over the weekend, are not planning to meet with Watson, per ESPN’s Dianna Russini (on Twitter).
More teams are interested, but it certainly appears these two rivals are in the lead. Watson will meet with each team Monday night in Houston, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com tweets. Watson is also planning to meet with other teams Tuesday, CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson tweets. This saga could include a trade soon, despite Watson’s civil suits not yet being resolved.
10:17am: Deshaun Watson is expected to meet with the Panthers and Saints in the next couple of days (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com). On top of that, Watson will also chat with other interested clubs between now and Wednesday. 
The Texans have granted Watson permission to meet with other clubs, which may help to advance the trade talks. Watson holds a no-trade clause, so the Texans have to get his sign-off before completing any deal.
On that note, Watson has not turned down a potential trade to the Panthers (Twitter link via David Newton of ESPN.com). It was long reported that Watson only OK’d a trade to the Dolphins, but Newton hears that’s not the case — at least, when it comes to Carolina. With that in mind, it’s possible that Watson could go along with a trade to the Saints or one of the other interested teams.
The details are not yet known, but the Saints and Panthers have made offers for Watson recently. Meanwhile, the Texans’ asking price has not budged. Houston GM Nick Caserio still says that he wants three first-round picks plus more assets in exchange for the embattled QB. The Panthers, who own the No. 6 overall pick in the 2022 draft, could make a compelling offer for the Texans. The Saints, who sit at No. 18, would have to offer more in their package to top their bid.
Seahawks To Re-Sign Will Dissly
Seattle continues to take care of its own. The team is re-signing tight end Will Dissly on a three-year deal worth $24MM (Twitter link via NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero).
[RELATED: Seahawks To Re-Sign Quandre Diggs]
The 25-year-old was a fourth round pick of the Seahawks in 2018. He has since established himself as a consistent secondary option in the team’s offense. His best season came in 2019, when he posted 23 catches for 262 yards and four touchdowns. This past year, he put up very similar numbers (21 receptions, 231 yards, one touchdown).
The $8MM per-year average is notably less than what the franchise tag was valued at for this season, though Dissly was never thought to be a tag candidate. Still, it is a significant raise compared to his rookie contract earnings.
While there are certainly questions surrounding the quarterback spot in Seattle, the team’s corps of pass-catchers remains intact. Alongside Dissly, receivers Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf are each under contract. Rather than marking the beginning of a full-blown rebuild, then, the trade of Russell Wilson and release of Bobby Wagner appear to have signalled a reset of the franchise.
With this move – along with the earlier investments made in keeping other key pieces of the team, most notably Quandre Diggs – Seattle may yet be able to stay competitive in the NFC West, assuming an accomplished quarterback can be brought in.
Seahawks To Re-Sign Quandre Diggs
Seattle has seen quite a bit of roster turnover recently, but they will be retaining one of their best defenders. Safety Quandre Diggs has re-signed on a three-year, $40MM deal (Twitter link via NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport).
Last month, it was reported that there was a mutual interest between the team and player for a new deal to get done. Diggs, 29, made it clear he would be asking for compensation putting him at or near the top of the safety market. That didn’t come as a surprise, given that he was coming off of his second straight Pro Bowl season. He totalled 10 interceptions and 17 pass breakups between the past two seasons. On the other hand, a broken leg suffered in the season finale threatened to complicate negotiations.
At an average of $13.3MM per year, this new deal is likely less than what Diggs could have landed on the open market. It is also less than what fellow pending free agent safety Jessie Bates received on the franchise tag. Still, it gives the Seahawks a very expensive safety tandem, with Jamal Adams due nearly $60MM over the next four years.
With Diggs (and Bates) off the market, the free agent safety class is now topped by the likes of Tyrann Mathieu, Marcus Williams and Marcus Maye. Seattle, meanwhile, looks to continue re-shaping (as opposed to re-building) their roster.
RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/13/22
The deadline for teams to extend tender offers to their restricted free agents and exclusive rights free agents looms next week. We’ll keep tabs on the latest here:
RFAs
Tendered:
- Seahawks: G Phil Haynes
Non-Tendered:
- Colts: DT Taylor Stallworth
ERFAs
Tendered:
Non-Tendered:
Saints, Vikings Join List Of Deshaun Watson Suitors; Latest On QB’s Market
Deshaun Watson being cleared of criminal charges Friday will not prevent an NFL suspension, and the Texans quarterback still must navigate the 22 civil cases that emerged from allegations of sexual assault and/or sexual misconduct. But several teams are interested in the Pro Bowl passer, pointing toward a big trade haul for Houston.
In addition to the Panthers, Seahawks, Buccaneers and Browns, the Saints and Vikings have emerged as Watson suitors, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports. They join a suddenly robust market, one that does not include the Dolphins, who moved on despite being runaway favorites for Watson last year. The Texans have sought a trade package fronted by three first-rounders. With Friday’s lack of a grand jury indictment a “game-changer” in this pursuit, per Wilson, Houston might land its desired haul or something close to it.
The Browns are “incredibly interested,” Wilson notes, adding that up to 10 teams are monitoring the embattled QB. The Saints paid close attention to Friday’s developments, NFL.com’s Jane Slater tweets, though they have a tricky cap situation. New Orleans has reached out to Houston, however. The Vikings are in on Watson “for the right price,” Wilson adds. Watson was said to be interested in Minnesota and Tampa Bay as destinations last month.
Minnesota has a rather expensive quarterback in Kirk Cousins, who is tied to a fully guaranteed $35MM base salary. Cousins would obviously need to be moved in a Watson-to-Minnesota scenario, and that may mean the Vikings eating some of his contract. That could be tricky, given Watson’s $39MM-per-year deal. Watson is also due a $35MM base salary in 2022. Sitting $15MM-plus over the cap, the Vikings are actually in slightly worse shape than the long-cap-strapped Saints ($6MM over) as of Saturday afternoon.
Still in on Watson, after emerging as a suitor in early 2021, the Panthers are preparing an aggressive offer. David Tepper hired an investigator to look into Watson’s legal matters, Wilson notes, adding that the Texans still want draft assets in addition to the three first-rounders and at least one player for their quarterback. Jameis Winston extension talks have been on the Saints’ radar, and that would better fit New Orleans’ cap situation. But the team has never been shy about executing winter cap gymnastics. Watson would be a considerable upgrade on Winston for the Saints, whose passing game took a major hit after Drew Brees‘ retirement.
This market’s new additions notwithstanding, the Panthers and Seahawks are still viewed as the likely favorites, Wilson tweets. Seattle has a quarterback need for the first time in 10 years and now has three first-round picks over the next two drafts, including this year’s No. 9 overall choice. The Seahawks’ Watson interest surfaced not long after Tuesday’s Russell Wilson trade.
The Eagles are no longer believed to be a key player here. Watson has not shown interest in Philadelphia as a destination, with Wilson adding he has never waived his no-trade clause for the Eagles. The Steelers and Giants also remain pointed in other directions, but many offers could still come the Texans’ way in the coming days.
Latest On Chandler Jones’ Market
While the Cardinals have a desire to keep him, Chandler Jones is expected to have plenty of suitors if he hits the open market. According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, no fewer than six teams are interested in bringing in the veteran pass rusher. (Twitter link). 
[RELATED: Cardinals Want To Re-Sign Chandler Jones]
Schultz lists the Seahawks, Broncos, Dolphins, Falcons, Bills and Eagles as teams at least eyeing the two-time All-Pro. At 32, age will surely be a consideration with regards to the length of any deal, but salary should not be an issue. Schultz reports that Jones “will command at least $15-18MM”. A general manager he spoke to on the matter described Jones as “a guy who keeps himself in great shape”. That, coupled with the scarcity of such accomplished edge rushers, should leave him with any number of offers.
Not surprisingly, he also adds that the former Super Bowl winner is seeking to join a contender. The aforementioned teams cover a wide range in terms of expectations for the upcoming season, and – just as importantly – are in drastically different salary cap situations. His 10.5 sacks in 2021 show that a medium-term investment could put teams over the top in terms of a Super Bowl run, or help accelerate a re-tooling process at the position for squads aiming to take a step forward.
When asked about hitting the market, Jones said, “it’s not about money at all. Where I am in my career, I’ve gotten contracts, I’ve gotten the Super Bowl, but I think scheme is huge. Or for me, winning more championships… I will say I want to go to a place that maximizes my talents”.
While Jones will need to compete with the likes of Von Miller and a very highly-regarded draft class in terms of other notable sack artists, he seemingly won’t have an issue cashing in sometime in the very near future.