Eagles To Re-Sign OL Fred Johnson
Fred Johnson is sticking in Philly. The veteran offensive lineman is re-signing with the Eagles, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. It will be a one-year deal for the 28-year-old.
A former UDFA out of Florida, Johnson has established himself as a key backup during his multi-year stint in Philly. After catching on with the Eagles practice squad in 2022, Johnson emerged as the team’s backup OT in 2023. He got into 17 games that season, although the majority of his snaps came on special teams.
Johnson saw an even larger role in 2024 while filling in for the likes of Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata, with the backup ultimately starting six of his 17 appearances. He parlayed that performance into a one-year deal with the Jaguars, although he ended up getting dealt back to Philly at the end of the 2025 preseason.
That proved to be a shrewd move for the Eagles, as Johnson proceeded to start a career-high eight games in 2025. Pro Football Focus wasn’t especially fond of his performance, ranking him 64th among 84 qualifying OTs. However, the site was generally bullish on his pass-blocking skills.
Johnson will be back for another season in Philly in 2026, where he’ll be eyeing a similar utility role. As EJ Smith of PHLY Sports notes, the free agent was hoping to garner some starting interest this offseason, but that opportunity never presented itself. Now, he’ll return as the top backup to Johnson and Mailata, although the veteran backup will hear his number called if either of the starters are forced to miss time.
Cowboys To Sign CB Derion Kendrick
After agreeing to terms with Cobie Durant, the Cowboys are set to import another recent Rams cornerback. Derion Kendrick is joining the Cowboys on a one-year deal, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero tweets.
Splitting his time between Seattle and Los Angeles in 2025, Kendrick has 18 career starts and teamed with Durant across three seasons with the Rams. Durant agreed to a one-year, $4MM Cowboys deal; having not started a game since 2023, Kendrick is likely to come in south of that figure. This duo joins a retooling Cowboys defense under new leader Christian Parker.
Technically Super Bowl ring-eligible after playing 10 Seahawks games in 2025, Kendrick landed on waivers three times last year. The Rams cut him in June (before re-signing him soon after) and then moved on again upon trimming their roster to 53 players in August, leading to a Seahawks claim. Seattle, however, moved on in November. A Rams team struggling with corner health and consistency brought Kendrick back via a claim, but with L.A. adding Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson this month, Kendrick will join Durant in relocating.
A former sixth-round pick who played at Clemson and Georgia, Kendrick is heading into an age-26 season. He used the 2025 campaign to reestablish health following a missed 2024. The 6-foot cover man suffered an ACL tear in July 2024.
Prior to that, the Rams used Kendrick as a regular starter over his first two seasons. After playing 50% of L.A.’s defensive snaps as a rookie, Kendrick logged a 76% snap share (858 plays) in 2023. The Rams demoted Kendrick late that season, however, and Pro Football Focus placed him 83rd out of 127 qualified CB options that year. Kendrick played 18% of Seattle’s defensive snaps last season (123 plays) but will be looking to secure more playing time in Dallas.
The Cowboys waived the injury-prone Trevon Diggs late last season and have DaRon Bland coming off a season-ending malady. As Bland deals with another major foot issue, the Cowboys will be hoping 2025 third-round pick Shavon Revel — who missed much of his rookie year due to ACL rehab — can play a regular role. Durant will be competing for a starting job, likely being favored to play alongside Bland and Revel, while Kendrick profiles as a depth option. The Cowboys are taking a few swings at corner, having also signed ex-Packers regular Corey Ballentine this week.
In other Cowboys contract news, safety P.J. Locke‘s deal matches Kendrick’s. It’s a one-year, $4MM pact that can max out at $5MM, ESPN.com’s Todd Archer tweets. Of that total, $3.5MM is guaranteed at signing, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson adds. Defensive end Sam Williams‘ second Dallas deal is worth $2.5MM in base value, per Wilson. Of that total, $2MM is fully guaranteed. D-lineman Otito Ogbonnia‘s one-year contract is worth $2.5MM, Archer notes. Of that amount, only $500K is guaranteed at signing.
Falcons To Sign QB Trevor Siemian
The Falcons are continuing to reshape their quarterback depth chart. Another veteran addition has been lined up in the form of Trevor Siemian. 
Atlanta agreed to terms with Siemian on Tuesday, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports. He will offer depth behind returnee Michael Penix Jr. and free agent addition Tua Tagovailoa. The two southpaws are set to compete for the starting gig this offseason.
Whichever of Penix or Tagovailoa loses out will no doubt be tasked with handling QB2 duties. Penix continues to recover from a partial ACL tear, though, and he could remain sidelined for a notable stretch of the offseason as a result. Atlanta will look to Siemian as a veteran who can handle reps through the spring and into training camp.
The former seventh-rounder combined to make 24 starts with the Broncos across the 2016 and ’17 seasons. Since then, Siemian has largely operated as a backup while bouncing around to a number of teams. His most recent action during the regular season came in 2023 as a member of the Jets. Siemian joined the Titans this past August shortly before being released during roster cutdowns. Tennessee retained him via the practice squad.
After not seeing any playing time in 2025, Siemian will aim to compete for a roster spot on his latest team. The 34-year-old has posted a record of 15-18 in the NFL, throwing 44 touchdowns and 32 interceptions. In every year of his career, Siemian has posted a completion percentage of 59.5% or lower, so expectations will certainly be tempered if he does wind up on the field at any point.
The Falcons entered Tuesday with roughly $14MM in cap space. This Siemian deal will presumably check in at or near the league minimum, so there will still be funds for other low-profile free agent moves once it is finalized.
Seahawks, WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba Agree To Extension
Jaxon Smith-Njigba has not needed to wait long to secure his Seahawks extension. The reigning Offensive Player of the Year agreed to terms with Seattle on Monday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. 
Team and player are finalizing a four-year, $168.6MM pact, Schefter reports. With Smith-Njigba’s fifth-year option having recently been picked up, today’s news means he will be on the books through 2031. This agreement contains record-breaking receiver figures for average annual value ($42.15MM) and guarantees ($120MM), per Schefter.
[RELATED: Details On Seahawks WR’s Record-Breaking Deal]
An extension resetting the receiver market had been something to watch for in this case, although nothing appeared to be imminent with respect to negotiations leading up to today’s news. Seattle was seen as a candidate to finalize this deal sometime around the draft or perhaps closer to training camp, but both sides have acted early. The fact that Smith-Njigba has secured such lucrative terms on his second NFL contract is certainly no surprise.
As a rookie, the former first-rounder averaged fewer than 37 receiving yards per game. Over time, though, Seattle’s setup at the receiver spot has made Smith-Njigba more of a focal point. His production saw a notable jump in 2024 (100 receptions, 1,130 yards, six touchdowns) before spiking once more this past season. With the Seahawks having traded away D.K. Metcalf, Smith-Njigba saw his yards per reception figure increase to a career-best 15.1. He also set a new personal mark with 10 touchdowns while leading the NFL in receiving yards.
That production resulted in a first-team All-Pro nod along with a Pro Bowl invitation in addition to OPOY honors. Smith-Njigba remained an important contributor on offense through Seattle’s playoff run and helped the team win Super Bowl LX. Along with left tackle Charles Cross – who inked a four-year extension of his own in January – he will serve as a foundational presence for years to come.
Prior to today’s news, Ja’Marr Chase led the way in terms of AAV at the receiver spot. His 2025 Bengals extension averages $40.25MM per season, while Justin Jefferson‘s Vikings deal contained $88.74MM guaranteed at signing. Exact details on this Smith-Njigba contract are not yet known, but it certainly seems as though he has managed to comfortably surpass Jefferson in terms of locked-compensation. 2027 was already due to include $23.85MM for the Ohio State product; it will now pay out much more than that.
Seahawks general manager John Schneider once again faces the task of maintaining a Super Bowl core in the wake of his team’s championship. Smith-Njigba and Cross are among the offensive stalwarts who will be counted on to remain in the fold for the foreseeable future. The same will presumably be true of cornerback Devon Witherspoon. Seattle’s other 2023 first-rounder is under team control for the next two seasons thanks to his option being exercised, but he is eligible to sign a monster extension of his own at any time.
Attention will now turn to Witherspoon in the Seahawks’ case with respect to remaining financial priorities. Around the league, meanwhile, this Smith-Njigba accord will no doubt be used as a measuring stick for other high-end receiver deals. Puka Nacua is among the top players at the position in line for an extension, and he could look to challenge these contract terms during negotiations with the Rams. The likes of George Pickens (Cowboys) and Zay Flowers (Ravens) could stand to benefit from the continued upward movement of the WR market as well.
The Seahawks lost offensive Klint Kubiak when he took the Raiders’ head coaching job immediately after the Super Bowl. As such, Smith-Njigba will be working with his fourth OC (Brian Fleury) in as many years during the 2026 campaign. Given his durability and continued increases in production, however, he will be expected to thrive under a new play-caller for next season and well beyond.
Seahawks Match Jaguars’ Offer Sheet For WR Jake Bobo
Last week, Seahawks receiver Jake Bobo signed an offer sheet with the Jaguars. He will not be on the move this offseason, however.
Seattle has matched the Bobo offer sheet, ESPN’s Field Yates reports. The restricted free agent inked a two-year deal with the Jags as part of their efforts to acquire him. The contract included $4.5MM guaranteed, a figure Bobo will now collect without changing teams. This agreement also includes a $1.75MM signing bonus and a maximum value of $7MM, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network adds.
The offer’s base value checks in at two years and $5.5MM, according to Spotrac. Of that amount, $3.25MM is due in Year 1. Teams regularly frontload offer sheets to make them more difficult to match, but this low-cost figure did not prove to deter the defending Super Bowl champions. The offer sheet will allow the Seahawks to drop Bobo’s cap number from $3.52MM to $1.22MM, per Spotrac.
Bobo has been a regular presence with Seattle over his three years in the NFL. The former undrafted free agent played 17 games in 2023 and ’24 before adding another 11 appearances this past campaign. Bobo has only registered three starts to date while operating as a depth presence on offense; that will be expected to continue moving forward. He will instead remain focused on making special teams contributions.
This new deal will represent a raise in Bobo’s case while ensuring stability beyond 2026 along the way. The UCLA product was tendered at a rate of $3.52MM in a move which allowed Seattle to match an outside offer sheets. With a two-year contract in place, though, team and player can move forward without uncertainty regarding his Seattle future for next spring.
Brian Thomas Jr, Jakobi Meyers and Parker Washington remain atop the Jags’ receiver depth chart at this point. They also have Travis Hunter in line to handle a part-time workload on offense in 2026. Bobo was set to occupy a depth role in Jacksonville after the team lost Dyami Brown in free agency. Tim Patrick and Josh Cephus remain unsigned at this time, so a different WR may now be targeted.
Bobo will remain in place on a Seattle team which has Jaxon Smith-Njigba attached to a massive extension worked out earlier today. The Super Bowl champions also managed to retain Rashid Shaheed, and expectations will be high in his case after he made a strong impact upon arrival at the trade deadline. Those two, coupled with Cooper Kupp, will lead the way regarding the Seahawks’ passing game. Bobo will look to chip in while handling third phase duties.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/23/26
Today’s minor moves:
Cleveland Browns
- Re-signed: TE Blake Whiteheart
Green Bay Packers
- Re-signed: LB Arron Mosby
Los Angeles Rams
- Re-signed: DT Larrell Murchison
New York Giants
- Signed: DL Sam Roberts
The Browns brought back tight end Blake Whiteheart today. The Wake Forest product has spent the past two seasons in Cleveland, where he’s split his time between the offense and special teams. Relied on primarily for his blocking ability, Whiteheart has had limited looks in the receiving game, hauling in eight catches for 55 yards and one touchdown. He’s part of a TEs room in Cleveland that also features Harold Fannin and Jack Stoll, with David Njoku still unsigned.
The Rams are bringing back Larrell Murchison for another season. After not getting into a game during the 2024 campaign, the defensive lineman showed flashes in 2025. He ultimately got into 16 games with the Rams, compiling a pair of sacks despite being limited to only 126 defensive snaps.
49ers To Sign OL Robert Jones
Robert Jones‘ comeback season will take place in San Francisco. The veteran offensive lineman is signing with the 49ers, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. The 27-year-old met with the 49ers earlier today.
Jones joined the Cowboys last offseason but suffered a scary injury during training camp when he broke a bone in his neck. That injury ultimately landed the guard on season-ending injured reserve.
The former UDFA out of Middle Tennessee spent the first four seasons of his career in Miami. He played his way into a larger role during his time with the Dolphins, culminating in a 2024 campaign where he started all 17 games. While Pro Football Focus was never particularly fond of his blocking skills, his ability to play both tackle and guard made him a useful piece.
Jones inked a one-year, $4.75MM deal with the Cowboys last offseason, and he was expected to be in the mix to replace right guard Zack Martin. Instead, he suffered a broken bone in his neck during a late-August practice. While there was initial hope for a two-to-three month recovery and a stint on short-term IR, the Cowboys instead opted to sit him out for the entire 2025 campaign.
While he missed out on that opportunity to start in Dallas, he may get a similar chance in San Francisco. Spencer Burford left for the Raiders this offseason, and usual fill-in Ben Bartch remains unsigned. That would leave Jones as a candidate to fill in at left guard, where he’ll compete with the likes of Connor Colby and free agent acquisition Brett Toth for reps.
Cowboys Re-Sign CB Corey Ballentine
Corey Ballentine is sticking in Dallas. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston, the veteran cornerback is re-signing with the Cowboys.
Ballentine had a busy start to his 2025 campaign. After signing with the Colts last offseason, he was cut by the team at the beginning of August. He subsequently caught on for a second stint with the Packers but was among Green Bay’s final roster cuts, leading to him joining the Patriots practice squad. He made his way onto the active roster for a single game before he was cut in late September.
He quickly signed with the Cowboys practice squad, and he proceeded to get into five games with his new organization. He was limited to only 70 total snaps during his time in Dallas, with the majority of those reps coming on special teams.
The 2019 sixth-round pick has bounced around the NFL, with the Cowboys representing his ninth team. Besides some brief flashes as a rookie with the Giants, Ballentine’s most notable stint came with the Packers, including a 2023 campaign where he collected 43 stops, seven passes defended, and an interception.
Ballentine will likely be eyeing a similar ST-centric role in Dallas in 2026. The Cowboys added Cobie Durant to a grouping of CB holdovers like DaRon Bland, Reddy Steward, Shavon Revel, and Caelen Carson. The organization moved on from both Kaiir Elam and Trevon Diggs last season without figuring out a true contingency plan, and perhaps Ballentine could work his way into a role with a strong summer showing.
Patriots To Add T James Hudson
A strange penalty-filled Week 2 outing sidetracked James Hudson‘s Giants season, leading to a release. The veteran tackle, however, will have another chance.
The Patriots are adding Hudson on a one-year deal, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets. This will check in as a veteran-minimum accord (per ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss), the signing comes after Vederian Lowe joined the 49ers shortly after the legal tampering period began. This will reunite Hudson with Mike Vrabel, a 2024 Browns consultant who helped out with Cleveland’s O-line during his return trip to Ohio.
The Giants gave Hudson a two-year, $12MM deal to become their swing tackle, a position that became more important once it was determined All-Pro Andrew Thomas was not ready to go by Week 1. After making a Week 1 start, Hudson imploded in Dallas. He committed four penalties on one drive; this included two unnecessary roughness infractions. Brian Daboll yanked him midgame, and no notable playing time commenced for the team’s expected third tackle henceforth. John Harbaugh, as expected, signed off on a release earlier this month.
Hudson, 27 in May, had operated as the Giants’ starting left tackle during the preseason and in Week 1. The team benched him for rookie Marcus Mbow in Dallas, and the latter operated as Big Blue’s swingman the rest of the way. Hudson was essentially banished despite a $6MM-per-year contract. He played one offensive snap the rest of the season, completing one of the more unusual campaigns by an offensive lineman in recent NFL history.
Prior to his Giants deal, Hudson played four seasons with the Browns. The former fourth-round pick started 17 games with Cleveland from 2021-24. Most of Hudson’s Browns work came at right tackle, where Jack Conklin battled injuries during most of his time with the team. He played 1,033 snaps at RT from 2021-23 before a 207-snap cameo at LT in 2024. The Patriots will seemingly give the sixth-year vet a mulligan for his Giants misstep, with a swing role — behind starters Will Campbell and Morgan Moses — appearing to be in play.
Lowe worked as the Pats’ primary LT starter in 2024 after having made eight starts on the blind side in 2023. The former trade pickup filled in for Campbell during the first-rounder’s four-game IR stay. The 49ers gave Lowe a two-year, $9.25MM deal two weeks ago. The Pats have tackle-turned-guard Caedan Wallace as a potential swing option, and the team used a seventh-round pick on tackle Marcus Bryant last year. Lorenz Metz and Sebastian Gutierrez are also on New England’s roster at the position, but Hudson brings far more experience.
Bucs To Sign LB Christian Rozeboom
Lavonte David has not re-signed with the Buccaneers, though were the standout linebacker to return in 2026, it would be with Tampa Bay. But the Bucs are adding another starter-caliber linebacker following their Alex Anzalone addition.
The team is expected to sign former Panthers and Rams LB Christian Rozeboom, CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz tweets. This is a one-year contract, Fox Sports’ Greg Auman adds.
Playing on a one-year, $2.5MM deal in Carolina last season, Rozeboom kept his Los Angeles momentum going by starting 15 games and making 122 tackles; this line included a career-high seven TFLs. The former UDFA added two sacks, three passes defensed and an interception. Given a starting role in his Rams contract year, Rozeboom could have a shot — depending on what David decides — to be a regular starter for a third team in three years.
A 2020 Rams UDFA out of South Dakota State, Rozeboom stopped through Kansas City in 2021 before returning to play a backup role on the Super Bowl LVI-winning Rams team that year. Backing up Bobby Wagner and Ernest Jones in 2022, Rozeboom made five starts in 2023 before making a career-high 135 tackles during an 11-start 2024 slate.
Pro Football Focus ranked Rozeboom outside the top 70 among qualified LBs each year from 2023-25, and no big offers came in free agency during the 2025 offseason. It is unlikely this Bucs pact is worth too much. But it should secure the 29-year-old defender a good shot to at least be Tampa Bay’s third linebacker — should David return. If the 14-year stalwart retires, Rozeboom would be ticketed to start alongside Anzalone.
Ending the Devin White period after four years, the Bucs lost replacement K.J. Britt in free agency last year. They did not see SirVocea Dennis excel alongside David in 2025, and with the potential Hall of Famer playing out another one-year contract, the team needed to act at the position in free agency. Anzalone is on a two-year, $17MM deal ($12MM guaranteed). That virtually ensures the 10th-year veteran will be a 2026 starter. It would seem David or Rozeboom — barring an early-round addition at the position — will primarily play alongside Anzalone in Todd Bowles‘ 3-4 scheme.