Broncos Don’t Exercise S Kareem Jackson’s Option
Kareem Jackson is hitting free agency. Mike Klis of 9News in Denver reports (via Twitter) that the Broncos will not exercise the option on the veteran safety.
Klis notes that the front office tried to restructure Jackson’s contract before declining the option. Ryan O’Halloran of the Denver Post tweets that the move will free up $7.1MM in cap space for the Broncos.
Jackson, 32, joined the Broncos on a three-year, $33MM deal back in 2019. The veteran quickly became a favorite among teammates and the coaching staff for his veteran savvy and hard hits. Jackson ultimately started each of his 29 games for the Broncos, compiling 160 tackles, 14 passes defended, and three interceptions.
While the Broncos will surely be seeking a replacement for Jackson, the team has already added to their secondary. The team agreed to terms with cornerback Ronald Darby earlier today.
Saints To Re-Sign QB Jameis Winston
Jameis Winston will be back in New Orleans next season. The quarterback is re-signing with the Saints, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). It’s a one-year deal worth up to $12MM. NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero reports (via Twitter) that the deal includes $5.5MM guaranteed.
Following the retirement of Drew Brees, the Saints have some question marks at the position for the first time since 2005. Barring an unexpected move, Winston will compete with teammate Taysom Hill for the starting gig in 2021. Similar to Winston, Hill will also be playing the 2021 campaign on a one-year, $12MM deal (despite the funky restructuring by the organization yesterday).
Winston, the first-overall pick in the 2015 draft, joined the Saints last offseason following five underwhelming years in Tampa Bay. Winston got into four games during his first season in New Orleans, completing seven of his 11 pass attempts for 75 yards. He also came up key during the Saints’ postseason loss to the Buccaneers, completing his lone pass attempt for 56 yards and a score.
Hill actually got eight starts and 16 appearances for the Saints this past season, leading some to wonder whether he has the upper hand on the QB competition heading into the offseason. However, the team’s been nothing but complimentary of Winston since his arrival, noting his performance in practice and on the sideline, and it sounds like the former first-rounder will have an equal chance at the starting gig in 2021.
“We had a great exposure for one year with Jameis Winston,” coach Sean Payton said last month. “We didn’t have a normal offseason, but we had enough time to see what we had with him as a player, as a leader, and as an athlete. I really like what we had a chance to see. He was a tremendous leader for this team. That’s hard to do when you come in new in free agency your first year as a backup quarterback. So that’ll be an important checkmark for us.
“And, a lot of times, you want to hold your cards closer to the vest and he is a free agent. But him, along with Taysom Hill who’s in the building, we’ve said it all along: We’re going to develop and coach those guys. And Jameis is one of those guys that we have a big interest in.”
Broncos Tender RB Phillip Lindsay
Phillip Lindsay is sticking around Denver. The Broncos are tendering the running back, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). Lindsay will be slapped with the “low RFA tender,” per Schefter.
The 26-year-old exploded on the scene with 1,037 yards and nine touchdowns in 2018, earning him a Pro Bowl nod. He followed that up with another solid campaign in 2019, compiling 1,207 yards from scrimmage and seven scores.
However, the 26-year-old took a predictable step back this past season following the addition of Melvin Gordon. Lindsay ultimately got into 11 games (eight starts), compiling 502 rushing yards and one touchdown. He also added another seven receptions for 28 yards.
With Lindsay and Gordon still under contract, the team will have a crowded depth chart once again in 2021. The team is also rostering former starter Royce Freeman, Levante Bellamy, Jeremy Cox, and Damarea Crockett.
Jets, Carl Lawson Agree To Deal
The latest edge rusher domino fell Monday night, with the Jets securing a commitment from Carl Lawson. The former Bengals defensive end agreed to terms with the Jets, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.
Lawson landed a three-year, $45MM deal to join Robert Saleh in New York, Rapoport adds (via Twitter). The Jets are shifting to a 4-3 defense under Saleh, and they will sign a player with four years’ experience as a 4-3 end. Lawson can earn up to $47.4MM on this contract, per Rapoport.
A former fourth-round Bengals pick, Lawson has not produced high sack numbers. But he broke through in terms of pressure last season. Only T.J. Watt recorded more QB hits than Lawson, who registered 32. This came along with 5.5 sacks.
Edge rusher has resided as a Jets need for many years. They attempted to trade for Khalil Mack and tried to convert Anthony Barr into an edge two offseasons ago, among other efforts to fill the need. Last year, the team surprisingly passed on edges in free agency and the draft, only re-signing Jordan Jenkins. The Jets, who also traded Leonard Williams in 2019, struggled to pressure quarterbacks in a 2-14 season. Lawson will be expected to be New York’s lead rusher next season.
The Bengals have now parted ways with Lawson and Carlos Dunlap in recent months, though the latter is back on the market after the Seahawks released him. Rumored to be a franchise tag candidate, Lawson did not receive such treatment from the Bengals. Despite suffering a torn ACL in 2018, the former Auburn D-lineman cashed in. Given the 49ers’ D-line situation under Saleh, it is unlikely Lawson will be the only notable move for the Jets here.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/15/21
Today’s “minor” moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Re-signed: P Andy Lee
Buffalo Bills
- Re-signed: LB Tyler Matakevich
Carolina Panthers
- Released: DT Zach Kerr
Dallas Cowboys
- Re-signed: WR Noah Brown
Houston Texans
- Signed: S Terrence Brooks, G Justin McCray, DT Vincent Taylor, CB Tremon Smith
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: S Rudy Ford
New England Patriots
- Re-signed: DT Carl Davis
New York Giants
- Re-signed: DT Austin Johnson
Minnesota Vikings
- Re-signed: Rashod Hill
Titans Sign OL Kendall Lamm
Kendall Lamm is off to Tennessee. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that the offensive tackle is signing with the Titans. It’s a two-year deal worth $8.5MM.
The 2015 undrafted free agent out of Appalachian State spent the first four seasons of his career with the Texans, starting 24 of his 55 games. He signed a two-year deal with the Browns in 2019, but he was limited to only four games during his first season in Cleveland. He got into 15 games (one start) for the Browns in 2020, appearing on 116 offensive snaps and 68 special teams snaps. The 28-year-old also hauled in a one-yard touchdown from Baker Mayfield during a Week 13 win over the Titans.
After being silent through the first half of the day, the Titans have ramped up their signings over the past hour. Lamm is the team’s third signing after linebacker Bud Dupree and defensive tackle Denico Autry.
Chargers To Sign OL Matt Feiler
Minutes after Bud Dupree agreed to terms with the Titans, the Steelers will lose another of their free agents. Matt Feiler agreed to terms with the Chargers on Monday night, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.
The four-year veteran will sign a three-year, $21MM agreement with the Bolts. Feiler has worked as a Steelers starter for the past three years.
This move comes hours after the Chargers agreed to terms with Corey Linsley on a center-record contract. Feiler figures to have a spot on the Bolts’ starting O-line as well. Where he lands will be interesting. Feiler has seen time at both tackle and guard, taking over for Marcus Gilbert at right tackle and spending time on Pittsburgh’s interior line as well. Pro Football Focus graded Feiler as a middling guard starter last season but has charted him as an upper-echelon lineman throughout his career.
With Los Angeles, Feiler’s spot would seem to be guard. The Chargers paid up for Bryan Bulaga at right tackle last year. They just cut guard Trai Turner and have fellow guard Dan Feeney set for free agency. Feiler’s position notwithstanding, he represents more resources thrown into protecting Justin Herbert going forward.
The Steelers have brought back B.J. Finney but have some major questions up front going forward. They have now lost Feiler and perennial Pro Bowler Maurkice Pouncey, and left tackle Alejandro Villanueva may well be on his way out as well.
RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/15/21
We’ve compiled a handful of tender decisions below:
- The Cardinals are tendering linebacker Dennis Gardeck at a second-round value, which is worth around $3.38MM. The former undrafted free agent has spent his entire three-year career with Arizona, primarily appearing on special teams. However, the 26-year-old took on a bigger defensive role in 2020, finished with seven sacks in only 93 snaps. Gardeck tore his ACL late in the season, so his status for 2021 is in doubt.
- The Chargers won’t be tendering defensive end Isaac Rochell, which comes as a bit of a surprise. The 25-year-old had a solid season for Los Angeles, starting six games while compiling 29 tackles and 2.5 sacks. Rochell has 9.5 career sacks and 12 QB hits in 51 career games.
- The Packers have tendered wideout Malik Taylor, according to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero (via Twitter). After spending much of his rookie season on Green Bay’s practice squad, Taylor managed to appear in 15 games for the Packers this past season. He ultimately hauled in five receptions for 66 yards and one touchdown. He also returned a pair of kicks and compiled three tackles.
- The Bills won’t be tendering cornerback Levi Wallace, according to ESPN’s Field Yates (via Twitter). However, there’s still a chance the 25-year-old lands back in Buffalo. The cornerback has started 28 games for Buffalo over the past two years, compiling four interceptions and 17 passes defended.
- The Cowboys are tendering wideout Cedrick Wilson and nose tackle Antwaun Woods. Wilson has appeared in 22 games over the past two years, compiling 25 touches for 223 yards from scrimmage. Woods has started 32 of his 39 games for Dallas over the past three years, compiling 80, four tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks.
Giants, RB Devontae Booker Agree To Deal
The Giants will bring in a veteran backup to supplement Saquon Barkley. They agreed to terms with Devontae Booker on Monday night, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com tweets.
A former Broncos draftee, Booker spent last season with the Raiders and enjoyed a productive season spelling Josh Jacobs. Booker agreed to terms on a two-year deal worth $6MM, Fowler notes. Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle tweets that the deal includes $2MM guaranteed.
This marks an upgrade for Booker, who could only fetch a one-year deal worth barely league-minimum money last year. After receiving just two carries in 16 games with the 2019 Broncos, Booker took 93 handoffs and rushed for 423 yards and three touchdowns with the Raiders last season. While the former fourth-round pick worked as Denver’s primary back down the stretch in 2016, replacing an injured C.J. Anderson, he has mostly been a backup as a pro.
Barkley continues to work his way back from the ACL tear he suffered in Week 2. The star back is progressing on course and should be ready for Big Blue’s training camp. The Giants have used a few players as Barkley complementary help over his three-year career, and backfield depth became critical last season. Wayne Gallman, Alfred Morris and Devonta Freeman handled the ball-carrying duties after Barkley’s injury. None are under contract with the team for 2021, putting Booker in position to hold New York’s RB2 role.
Patriots To Sign DL Henry Anderson
The Patriots have made another addition to their defensive line. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that the Patriots have signed defensive lineman Henry Anderson. It will be a two-year deal worth $7MM, and it has a max value of $11MM based on achievable playtime incentives, per Rapoport (on Twitter).
Following three seasons with the Colts, Anderson was traded to the Jets in 2018 for a seventh-round pick. He proceeded to have a career year during his first season in New York, compiling seven sacks. That performance earned him a new three-year, $25MM extension from the organization, but he had a tough time living up to that contract. Despite appearing in 29 games (21 starts) for the Jets between 2019 and 2020, Anderson collected only 1.5 sacks.
Thanks in part to the reduced production, it always seemed unlikely that Anderson would stick around for the entirety of his contract. The Jets ultimately moved on from the defensive lineman earlier this month, saving the organization more than $8MM.
The Patriots have been busy adding to their defense today, signing linebacker Matt Judon, defensive tackle Davon Godchaux, and defensive back Jalen Mills. The team also brought back defensive end Deatrich Wise and defensive tackle Carl Davis.