Ravens Extend DL Justin Madubuike
Two franchise-tagged players have signed extensions this week. Justin Madubuike will follow Jaylon Johnson. The Ravens now have their breakthrough defensive tackle locked down.
After a monster contract year, Madubuike agreed to terms on a four-year, $98MM deal, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter. The contract includes $53.5MM guaranteed at signing and $75.5MM in total guarantees. Both the guarantee numbers represent highwater marks for NFL interior D-linemen, which almost definitely will affect the free agent market soon.
Like Johnson, this represents a staggering value spike for a player who was not on the radar to score a contract in this neighborhood a year ago. But Madubuike stepped up in his platform year, registering a Ravens-high 13 sacks — the most by a Raven since Elvis Dumervil in 2014 — to power a No. 1-ranked defense. The Ravens viewed Madubuike and Broderick Washington as extension candidates last summer; both are now signed, with Madubuike breaking new ground for a Baltimore D-line contract.
Madubuike, 26, eclipsed Quinnen Williams‘ marks for full guarantees and total guaranteed cash. The Jets standout received $47.8MM at signing when he agreed to his $24MM-per-year deal last July, with Gang Green guaranteeing the former top-five pick $66MM in total. Those represented incremental gains from the previous position standards; Madubuike’s numbers create a clear gap between Nos. 1 and 2 on these lists.
The Ravens did not go near Aaron Donald‘s $31.7MM-per-year salary, which remains the runaway leader for AAV at the position. But they navigated this gap by showing a willingness to guarantee a greater portion of Madubuike’s contract. That undoubtedly pushed this process past the finish line. This agreement will reduce the $22.1MM cap figure on Baltimore’s payroll as a result of Tuesday’s tag and bring some good news for Chris Jones and Christian Wilkins as they prepare to — barring 11th-hour agreements — head into free agency.
Like Chicago, Baltimore now has high-end extensions allocated to players on all three defensive levels. Madubuike joins Roquan Smith and Marlon Humphrey in that regard. The Ravens have signed off on the Smith payment — still an ILB AAV record — and Madubuike pact within a 14-month span. While Smith was always a candidate to land big money — as he had leverage via a trade and Lamar Jackson being primed for last year’s franchise tag — Madubuike represents more of an underdog story.
The No. 71 pick in the 2020 draft, the Texas A&M alum had never totaled more than 5.5 sacks or nine QB hits in a season prior to his contract year. His walk-year numbers of 13 and 33 in those categories could have given the Ravens pause, potentially calling for a “prove it” year on the tag. But after they carried a $32MM-plus Jackson tag number into late April last year, the AFC North champions will have their payroll more organized going into free agency this year.
After the Ravens released Calais Campbell last year, Madubuike stormed ahead as the team’s top sack artist. Helping late-arriving free agents Jadeveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy produce surprising sack numbers, Madubuike also tied an NFL record by recording at least a half-sack in 11 consecutive games. That secured the ex-Day 2 pick his first Pro Bowl nod. By Thanksgiving, Madubuike had shown enough to the point he would not be permitted to reach free agency. The Ravens unholstered their tag but will not come close to the July deadline. As Zach Orr takes over as DC, the Ravens will make sure he has an impact D-line presence locked down.
Steelers To Release CB Patrick Peterson
Patrick Peterson‘s Steelers stay may end up being capped at one season. After cutting Keanu Neal on Thursday, the Steelers are moving on from the All-Decade defensive back.
Pittsburgh is cutting Peterson, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter reports. This always loomed as a possibility due to the accomplished cornerback’s age and contract. Peterson signed a two-year, $14MM deal that came with less than $6MM guaranteed. The Steelers will pick up $6.85MM in cap savings by making this move.
[RELATED: Steelers Release WR Allen Robinson]
Coming to Pittsburgh after two seasons in Minnesota, Peterson played both corner and safety for his third NFL team. Injuries prompted the Steelers to try Peterson as a regular safety, and while it will be interesting to see if that is a consideration for the aging DB going forward, he appears to no longer be in the team’s plans. The Steelers will center their cornerback corps around 2023 second-round pick Joey Porter Jr. A younger complement to Porter is expected to arrive this offseason.
Peterson reached the 200-start plateau during his season in Pittsburgh, making 16 starts and playing in every game for the team. The former Cardinals star has displayed durability in his 30s, and he provided a Steelers team missing multiple pieces at safety some help as it crafted a late-season playoff push. Peterson intercepted two passes and broke up 11 more last season. Pro Football Focus still rated the ex-Cardinals and Vikings starter outside the top 80 among corners. Peterson allowed a 91.5 passer rating as the closest defender in coverage — up from his two Minnesota marks.
Peterson’s 200 starts rank seventh among corners in NFL history. Four of the players in front of him (Darrell Green, Ronde Barber, Champ Bailey, Ken Riley) are in the Hall of Fame; the eight-time Pro Bowler is likely to join them in Canton down the line.
The Steelers will need to come up with a new Porter supporting cast. Levi Wallace played out a two-year deal, and Chandon Sullivan and James Pierre are also unsigned. Peterson was set to earn $3.85MM in base salary and count $9.8MM against Pittsburgh’s 2024 cap. With Peterson’s deal moving off the books, the Steelers are set to hold more than $15MM in cap space. It is likely the AFC North team will create some more room ahead of free agency.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/8/24
Friday’s minor transactions from around the league:
Arizona Cardinals
- Re-signed: DE L.J. Collier
Buffalo Bills
- Re-signed: TE Quintin Morris
Chicago Bears
- Extended: WR Collin Johnson
- Signed: S Tarvarius Moore
Denver Broncos
- Re-signed: T Quinn Bailey
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Re-signed: DT Jeremiah Ledbetter
Minnesota Vikings
- Re-signed: TE Johnny Mundt
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Re-signed: NT Breiden Fehoko
Collier returns for a second chance in Arizona. After signing a one-year deal with the Cardinals almost a year ago, a biceps injury ended the 28-year-old’s season after only one start. He had impressed in camp and the preseason and will get another chance to do so in 2024.
Johnson was an exclusive rights free agent set to hit the open market next week. The Bears avoid tendering him by signing him to a new deal to remain in Chicago.
Bailey was set to be a restricted free agent but will no longer seek outside offer sheets after signing a new deal with Denver. He reportedly didn’t sign at the tender amount, agreeing to make $1.06MM next year.
Mundt came to Minnesota in 2022 with high hopes of expanding his game as a more complete tight end. With the Vikings, he’s upped his game as a receiver with 36 catches for 312 yards and two touchdowns. His head coach, Kevin O’Connell, calls him the NFL’s best TE3, and the team will pay him $2.5MM as a reward.
RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/8/24
Here are the league’s tender decisions as we head into the weekend:
RFAs
Non-tendered:
- Panthers: WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette
ERFAs
Tendered:
- Chargers: K Cameron Dicker, T Foster Sarell
Los Angeles will retain Dicker and Sarell for the 2024 season. After making three starts in 2022, Sarell appeared in every contest for the Chargers in 2023. Dicker returns after a superb season as the team’s placekicker in 2023. After missing only one kick in 10 games in 2022, Dicker provided more brilliance in a full season as the team’s designated leg. Dicker made 31 of 33 field goal attempts, showing range with seven made kicks over 50 yards. Only two years in, Dicker is showing a resemblance to the other great Longhorn kicker in the league. The only three misses of his career have come from over 50 yards out, and he has yet to miss an extra point in his two years of play.
Carolina has made the call not to tender Smith-Marsette. The team’s primary punt returner in 2023, Smith-Marsette led the league in punts returned, taking one to the house in a Week 10 loss to the Bears. While the Panthers won’t tender him, both sides are reportedly open to working towards a re-sign for 2024.
Saints Tender ERFA WR Rashid Shaheed
Some may forget as he hasn’t played like it, but Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed was an undrafted free agent just two years ago. And like many undrafted free agents who find their way to the 53-man roster early in their careers, Shaheed faces free agency after only two seasons in the league. With fewer than three accrued seasons in the NFL, Shaheed qualifies as an exclusive rights free agent, allowing the team to retain him with a simple tender offer, which they chose to do this week, according to John Hendrix of Sports Illustrated. 
This tender offer from New Orleans guarantees that Shaheed will be on the roster in 2024. Exclusive rights free agents essentially only have a take-it-or-leave-it option. If the team decides to make a tender offer, a one-year contract at the value of the league minimum for a three-year veteran, the player is unable to negotiate with other teams and is required to sign the deal in order to play in 2024.
For the league minimum, New Orleans is getting quite the steal. As a rookie, Shaheed was a solid complementary wide receiver. This past season, Shaheed only got better, solidifying himself as a reliable WR2 behind Chris Olave. In addition to his receiving duties, Shaheed has established himself as the team’s primary return man over the last two years, even getting Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro honors as a returner this season.
While the wide receiving corps is set to look slightly different in 2024 with veteran wide receiver Michael Thomas expected to be released when the new league year begins, Shaheed will now return alongside Olave and A.T. Perry, providing some young consistency for quarterback Derek Carr next season.
LS Patrick Scales Re-Signs With Bears
There will be no change to the Bears’ specials teams core. Kicker Cairo Santos and punter Trenton Gill are already set on multi-year deals, but today Chicago avoided watching their long snapper hit free agency, re-signing Patrick Scales to a one-year deal, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
Originally an undrafted free agent in 2011, Scales came into the NFL after long snapping at Utah State. Scales started off in Baltimore and spent time with the Dolphins, Jets, and Buccaneers before eventually returning to the Ravens for his NFL debut in 2014.
Since initially signing with the Bears in 2015, Scales has spent his eight years in Chicago on one one-year contract after the next. That trend continues into 2024, and though we don’t have all the details on his newest contract, Pelissero reports that the deal includes $1MM of guaranteed money.
At 35 years old, and with tight end Marcedes Lewis heading to the free agent market, Scales is set to be the most senior member of the Bears locker room. He also returns as the longest-tenured player in Chicago.
Raiders Re-Sign RB Ameer Abdullah
For the third year in a row, veteran running back Ameer Abdullah will sign a new contract with the Raiders in March, the team announced today. Initially coming to Las Vegas as an unrestricted free agent in 2022, Abdullah returns for his third season with the Raiders. 
After a prolific college career at Nebraska, Abdullah came into the league as a second-round draft pick by the Lions. He spent six years in the NFC North between Detroit and Minnesota before ending his seventh season with the Panthers. Since then, Abdullah has sported black and silver in Las Vegas.
Abdullah’s most productive seasons came with the Lions during his first three years, but he found a role as a receiving back and kick returner as his career has progressed. That has been reflected during his time with the Raiders. In two years with the team, Abdullah has taken a backseat to Josh Jacobs and Zamir White, only rushing for 109 yards in those two seasons combined. As a receiving back, though, Abdullah racked up 44 catches for 342 yards and a touchdown over that same period. Abdullah also served as the team’s primary kick returner in 2022 before ceding that responsibility to DeAndre Carter in 2023.
With Jacobs assumed to be on the way out via free agency, the Raiders accomplish a minor feat here by solidifying trusted depth behind White for the 2024 season. Fellow backup rusher Brandon Bolden is also set for free agency, so White and Abdullah represent the only running backs on the roster for now. With free agency and the draft on the horizon, Las Vegas will have to seek some additions but will do so from a base of White and Abdullah.
Broncos To Keep WR Tim Patrick On Reworked Deal
5:04pm: This move will bring the expected pay cut and create $8MM in cap space for the Broncos, who also restructured Mike McGlinchey‘s deal to add $11MM more in funds ahead of free agency, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. As for Patrick, he will drop his base salary from $9.5MM to the veteran minimum with a small amount in per-game roster bonuses in the equation, Yates adds.
Patrick received $18MM guaranteed when he signed his extension 2 1/2 years ago; in a likely pay-cut-or-get-cut situation, he will opt to stay in Denver rather than hit free agency coming off two season-nullifying injuries.
11:11am: The Broncos said goodbye to Justin Simmons, their longest-tenured player, and are set to likely bid farewell to other multiyear starters this offseason. But they plan to hang onto Tim Patrick, despite his run of bad injury luck.
Patrick has agreed to a reworked contract to stay in Denver, according to 9News’ Mike Klis. One year remained on Patrick’s previous contract — a three-year, $34MM extension agreed to during the 2021 season — but ACL and Achilles tears have kept him off the field over the past two seasons. The Broncos are not adding any years to the deal.
With Simmons gone, Patrick sits behind only Garett Bolles for seniority on the Broncos. The former UDFA has been with the team since midway through the 2017 season, predating Courtland Sutton in Denver. Sutton and Jerry Jeudy‘s statuses are again up in the air, but the team will again try to go into a season with the 6-foot-4 pass catcher available to suit up.
Operating as a regular for the Broncos during a period in which Sutton, Jeudy and KJ Hamler each encountered notable injury trouble, Patrick established himself as a key auxiliary option for the likes of Drew Lock, Joe Flacco and Teddy Bridgewater. The possession receiver totaled 742 yards in 2020 and 734 in 2021, finishing second on the team in receiving yardage in each season. But Patrick will effectively have skipped the Broncos’ rocky Russell Wilson era, going down in training camp in each of the past two years to weaken Denver’s receiving corps.
Acquired during the John Elway GM period, Patrick joined the Broncos as a practice squad addition in October 2017. He worked his way into a $10MM-per-year contract; the Broncos re-signed both Patrick and Sutton during the 2021 season. Patrick’s extension that proved important given the events of the following two summers, but with the Broncos needing to cut costs, no realistic chance existed they would retain Patrick on his slotted salary ($9.5MM). But the Utah alum is well-regarded as a leader in the locker room.
It is not known which of his WR teammates beyond Marvin Mims will be back, but the Broncos will give the 30-year-old target another opportunity.
Panthers Re-Sign LS J.J. Jansen
J.J. Jansen is on track to create more distance between himself and other Panthers in the franchise’s games-played column. The veteran long snapper will be back for another go-round in Charlotte next season.
The Panthers re-signed the 15-year veteran to a one-year deal on Friday, The Athletic’s Joseph Person notes. This will be Jansen’s sixth contract agreement as a member of the Panthers, who acquired the specialist via trade from the Packers back in 2009.
A 2013 Pro Bowler, Jansen has opted to sign one-year deals in recent years. The Panthers signed off on a four-year extension in 2012 and a five-year re-up in 2016. Since 2021, however, Jansen has gone year to year. The former Green Bay UDFA is going into his age-38 season.
Jansen reached 243 games played last season; that sits 22 north of John Kasay‘s previous Panthers standard. Among active Panthers, Shaq Thompson is the closest — at 119. Among active long snappers, Jansen leads the pack in terms of appearances, having also added seven playoff games.
While various issues can plague long snappers, this is one of the most stable positions in sports. Mastering this skill can lead to a steady gig toward age 40, and Jansen is as reliable as they come. The Notre Dame alum has never missed a game since debuting with Carolina 15 years ago. A near-vet-minimum salary will await Jansen, as it does all long snappers. The Panthers paid their third specialist $1.32MM last season.
Broncos To Release TE Chris Manhertz
A key blocking presence in Denver last season, Chris Manhertz is moving off the Broncos’ roster amid a cap crunch. The team will release the veteran tight end, ESPN.com’s Field Yates tweets.
The Broncos gave Manhertz a two-year, $6MM deal to rejoin Sean Payton last year. Better remembered for his time with the Panthers and Jaguars, Manhertz is an eight-year veteran. His release will save the Broncos just more than $2MM in cap space.
“I’ve played long enough in this league to where whatever happens, it’s just business,” Manhertz said, via 9News’ Mike Klis. “Is it disappointing news? Sure. But it’s just business. You take it for what it is.”
Manhertz, 31, played 367 offensive snaps over 16 games for the Broncos last season. Denver’s rushing attack struggled for the most part, and Manhertz (two catches, 16 yards) was a non-factor in the passing game. Manhertz was viewed as one of the game’s better pass-blocking tight ends last year, per Pro Football Focus. Prior to coming to Denver, the former UDFA had spent two seasons in Jacksonville and more than four in Carolina. He only played three games for the Saints; those came in 2016.
The Broncos will need a better answer at tight end in 2024, however, as 2022 third-round pick Greg Dulcich has been an IR mainstay due to chronic hamstring trouble. Denver is close to cap compliance, being less than $1MM over as of Friday afternoon. But the team will need to do more work with its roster to be able to afford some free agency upgrades. The Manhertz release comes a day after the Broncos cut their longest-tenured player, Justin Simmons, to end an eight-season partnership.