Cowboys To Sign Gerald McCoy
The Cowboys have agreed to terms with defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, a source tells ESPN.com’s Todd Archer (on Twitter). The pact, which is still pending a physical, is slated to be a three-year contract. 
Once finalized, it’ll be a three-deal deal worth roughly $20MM, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets. His average annual value should land north of $6MM, Garafolo adds, so it sounds like the base value of the deal will be no less than $18MM. That’s a lot less than McCoy earned on his massive deal with the Bucs, but still a solid payday for a vet who is eager to win on the backend of his career.
McCoy hooked on with the Panthers last year after spending his previous nine pro seasons with the Buccaneers. He started in every game for Carolina and was still effective on the interior – he finished out with five sacks, bringing his career total to 59.5.
McCoy, 32, will join forces with DeMarcus Lawrence and Tyrone Crawford on Dallas’ D-Line. There, he’ll help to try and fill the void left by the departures of Robert Quinn and Maliek Collins. Quinn cashed in on Tuesday by agreeing to a five-year, $70MM deal with the Bears. Collins, meanwhile, hooked on with the Raiders.
Broncos Expected To Sign QB Jeff Driskel
Jeff Driskel is expected to sign with the Broncos, reports Mike Klis of 9News in Denver (via Twitter).
The 49ers bailed on Driskel after selecting him in the sixth round of the 2016 draft, but he ended up finding a home in Cincy. He spent three-plus years as one of Andy Dalton‘s backups, and he started five of his nine appearances in 2018.
He was let go by the Bengals last September, but he ended up catching on with the Lions, where he started three games filling in for Matthew Stafford. Driskel finished the campaign having connected on 59-percent of his passes for 685 yards, four touchdowns, and four interceptions. He also added 151 rushing yards and one score on 22 carries.
In Denver, he’ll be backing up starter Drew Lock. It’s uncertain how the organization will proceed with veteran Joe Flacco.
Cowboys Re-Sign LS L.P. Ladouceur
L.P. Ladouceur will be back in Dallas for a 16th season. ESPN’s Todd Archer reports (via Twitter) that the Cowboys have re-signed their long-time long snapper.
Archer notes that it will be a one-year deal that includes nearly $900K in guaranteed money. Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News tweets that Ladouceur will earn a $1.05MM salary and a $137K signing bonus.
Ladouceur, 39, joined the Cowboys back in 2005, and he hasn’t missed a regular season game since 2006. In fact, he owns the franchise record for most consecutive games played.
Seahawks Sign OL B.J. Finney
B.J. Finney is joining the Seahawks. NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero reports (via Twitter) that the lineman has signed a two-year, $8MM deal with Seattle.
The 2015 undrafted free agent out of Kansas State has spent his entire five-year career with the Steelers. Finney emerged into a rotational lineman in Pittsburgh, and he’s appeared in 16 games in each of the past two seasons.
In total, the 28-year-old has appeared in 59 games throughout his career. He also has 13 starts, including four this past season.
Seattle, like any team at this time of year, is naturally searching for offensive line help. Finney is their first notable signing, although they did re-sign tight end Luke Willson.
Bills Sign DT Vernon Butler
Buffalo’s been busy, and they’ve just added another defensive lineman. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that the Bills have signed defensive tackle Vernon Butler.
It’s a two-year deal worth around $16MM, including $9.3MM guaranteed. The deal can be worth up to $18MM via incentives.
The 2016 first-round pick spent his first four years in the NFL with the Panthers, although the organization declined his fifth-year option for 2020. Butler served as mostly a rotational defensive lineman during the first three seasons of his career. In 2019, he started a career-high nine games, finishing with 32 tackles, six sacks, and three forced fumbles.
The Bills have seemingly focused on revamping their defensive line this offseason. The team has already signed both defensive end Quinton Jefferson and defensive end Mario Addison.
Patriots Sign WR Damiere Byrd
There’s a whole lot of uncertainty surrounding the Patriots offense, but the team has still added a wideout. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports (via Twitter) that New England has signed receiver Damiere Byrd to a one-year deal.
The former undrafted free agent out of South Carolina spent the first four seasons of his career with the Panthers. He signed with the Cardinals for the 2019 season and had a breakout campaign, hauling in 32 receptions for 359 yards and one touchdown.
Byrd also has some experience on special teams throughout his career. He’s returned 14 kicks and 12 returns through his first five years in the league.
With Tom Brady out of the picture, it’s uncertain who will be throwing to Byrd next season. The only (somewhat) certainty is that the 27-year-old wideout will be joining fellow receivers Julian Edelman, N’Keal Harry, and Mohamed Sanu atop the New England depth chart.
Bills Expected To Sign DE Quinton Jefferson
Quinton Jefferson is heading up to Buffalo. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that the defensive end is signing with the Bills. It’s a two-year deal for the 26-year-old.
We learned yesterday that the Seahawks were hoping to retain the lineman. However, Jefferson’s market was described as steady, so it’s not a total shock to see him move on. Mike Klis of 9News in Denver reports (via Twitter) that the Broncos made an offer yesterday but ultimately moved on.
The 2016 fifth-round pick joined Seattle during the 2017 season, and he quickly evolved into one of the team’s top pass rushers. Jefferson has started 12 games in each of the past two seasons, combining for 51 tackles and 6.5 sacks through those two years.
The Bills have been active in revamping their defensive line. Earlier today, they agreed to a three-year deal with defensive end Mario Addison. The two new additions should partly help to soften the blow after the Bills lost Shaq Lawson to the Dolphins.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/17/20
We don’t dance now; we make minor moves.
Detroit Lions
- Waived: QB Kyle Sloter
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Released: TE Geoff Swaim
New England Patriots
- Re-signed: LB Keionta Davis
Philadelphia Eagles
- Re-signed: DT Hassan Ridgeway
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Re-signed: LS Kameron Canaday
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: TE Antony Auclair
Lions Release LB Devon Kennard
6:50pm: These trade efforts evidently failed. The Lions have released Kennard, according to a team announcement.
12:05pm: Hold the phone, because the Lions are on the phone. The club is discussing potential trades involving Kennard, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter).
11:51am: The Lions are releasing linebacker Devon Kennard, as Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets. It’s not quite a Tom Brady-leaving-the-Patriots-level shocker, but it’s a surprise nonetheless. Kennard is coming off of back-to-back seasons with seven sacks, but the Lions have opted to move on from him.
Kennard came to the Lions in 2018 on a three-year, $18.75MM free agent deal. Since then, he’s tallied those aforementioned 14 sacks with 104 total stops, three fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble with near-perfect attendance. Previous to joining the Lions, Kennard started in 35 games for the Giants and posted four sacks as a non-rush linebacker in his walk year.
The Lions have signed another hybrid-type player, and linebacker-edge defender Jamie Collins now has a contract that eclipses Kennard’s. It is possible the longtime Patriot will move in on Kennard’s role. The Lions also gave an eight-figure-per-year deal to offensive lineman Halapoulivaati Vaitai. The Lions will save nearly $6MM by moving on from Kennard.
RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/17/20
Tuesday’s restricted free agent and exclusive rights free agent tender decisions will be posted below. Deals will be updated throughout the day.
RFAs
Tendered at second-round level:
- Chargers: DB Michael Davis
Tendered at original-round level:
- Falcons: RB Brian Hill
- Raiders: OT David Sharpe
- Seahawks: C Joey Hunt, DL Branden Jackson
- Steelers: OT Zach Banner
ERFAs
Tendered:
- Chargers: DL Isaac Rochell, T Trent Scott
- Jaguars: LB Austin Calitro
- Packers: WR Jake Kumerow, WR Allen Lazard
- Panthers: OL Jordan Roos
- Rams: TE Johnny Mundt, C Coleman Shelton
- Seahawks: DT Bryan Mone, DB Ryan Neal, WR Malik Turner
Non-tendered: