Transactions News & Rumors

Jaguars, OL Patrick Mekari Agree To Deal

March 10th, 2025 at 2:33pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Jaguars continue to renovate on offense today. The team’s latest move will see a notable addition up front. Patrick Mekari has agreed to a deal in Jacksonville, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports. This will be a three-year pact with a base value of $37.5MM and a max of $39MM. Mekari will collect more than $20MM guaranteed.

The Ravens will miss Mekari, who had spent five of the last six years as an indispensable sixth-man on the offensive line. An undrafted free agent out of Cal, Mekari made himself an impressive asset in Baltimore thanks to his versatile ability to play every position along the offensive front. Despite not becoming a full-time starter for the Ravens until this past year, Mekari tallied 36 starts in his first five seasons. Not only that, but Mekari also started games at every position on the offensive line, an unheard-of accomplishment in today’s NFL.

This past season, Mekari started every game of the season for the first time in his career, though he still did so for two different positions. Mekari started the first three games of the season at right tackle as the Ravens attempted to ease second-round pick Roger Rosengarten into his rookie year. When it became apparent that Andrew Vorhees was struggling at left guard early, Mekari shifted inside and to the other side of the line and started there for the remainder of the season. While Pro Football Focus (subscription required) only graded him out as the 51st-best guard in the league, out of 77 players graded at the position, his ability to step in and start at any position — center, guard, tackle on the right or left side — was what made him so valuable as a free agent.

The Jaguars had some holes to fill on the interior of their offensive line with the retirement of center Mitch Morse and the expiration of right guard Brandon Scherff‘s contract. They likely won’t need Mekari to fill in at center, a position he started frequently during his early years in the league, as they’ve reached an agreement today with former Bucs center Robert Hainsey. Likely Mekari will fill Scherff’s old spot at right guard, though his noted versatility will give Jacksonville plenty of options in utilizing him.

As for the Ravens, Mekari’s departure will likely give Vorhees another chance at the starting job. Free agency has depleted Baltimore of its other backup linemen as both backup guard Ben Cleveland and backup tackle Josh Jones are set to join Mekari in free agency. The offensive line could be a focus of the team in the 2025 NFL Draft, though they could decide to address the position through free agency, as well.

Ely Allen contributed to this post.

DT Grady Jarrett To Land With Bears

March 10th, 2025 at 2:33pm CST by Sam Robinson

Grady Jarrett has rebounded swiftly from cap-casualty status. Hours after the Falcons released him, the veteran defensive tackle is joining the Bears on a deal fairly comparable to his previous Atlanta pact.

Chicago is adding Jarrett on a three-year, $43.5MM deal, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who adds $28.5MM will be guaranteed at signing. This represents a win for the 10-year Falcon, who is going into an age-32 season.

This signing comes after the Falcons had offered Jarrett a reduced deal, but ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler indicates the interior D-lineman believed his market value would produce a better contract. He appears to have been right. Jarrett will join a Bears team that has been busy along its lines. After trading for Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney, Chicago agreed to bring in Drew Dalman at center and Dayo Odeyingbo at DT.

While Dalman and Odeyingbo are first-time free agents, Jarrett and Thuney are closer to the end of their respective careers. The two faced off back in Super Bowl LI, a breakout night for Jarrett that included three sacks of Tom Brady. Thuney has maintained a higher performance level, earning back-to-back first-team All-Pro nods, but Jarrett has fared well contractually. This is his third veteran contract, after the Falcons had paid the former fifth-rounder in 2018 and 2022.

Jarrett has three double-digit TFL seasons, with his most recent slate coming in 2022. That marked Jarrett’s last season before an ACL tear, which marred his 2023 campaign. While Jarrett returned to action on time last year, he only accumulated 2.5 sacks. Though, the Falcons have continually offered Jarrett little support in terms of edge pressure. He has still racked up 77 TFLs and 36.5 sacks. Teaming with Odeyingbo and Montez Sweat presents a better situation than Jarrett has enjoyed in many years.

The Bears had used former second-round pick Gervon Dexter as a primary starter at DT, but it appears the 2022 draftee will be sliding to the second team soon. Fellow starter Andrew Billings remains under contract as well, but Jarrett and Odeyingbo will supply a high-priced tandem to help Chicago after its defense ranked 27th in yards allowed last season. The Bears were 28th against the run.

Jaguars To Sign TE Hunter Long

March 10th, 2025 at 2:27pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Jaguars remain busy on the opening day of the negotiating window. Tight end Hunter Long is the latest free agent to agree to head to Jacksonville.

Long has a two-year deal in place, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports. The pact has a base value of $5MM and can max out at $6MM. The veteran will represent a familiar face to Jags GM James Gladstone given Long’s time with the Rams.

Gladstone was in Les Snead‘s front office when the team acquired Long in the Jalen Ramsey trade. While Liam Coen was back at Kentucky (OC stint No. 2) at this point, Gladstone will bring the former Dolphins draftee back to Florida. Long, whom the Dolphins included along with a third-round pick to acquire Ramsey in March 2023, missed most of 2023 but was part of the Rams’ run game last season.

Catching seven passes with the Rams last year, Long only has eight grabs for his career. He provided more value as a blocker, ranking in the top 10 (per Pro Football Focus) among tight ends in the run game.

The Jaguars have moved on from a three-year Evan Engram partnership, creating a need for receiving production at the position, and lost Luke Farrell to the 49ers today. But they will bring in Long as a supporting-caster on an offense that will need some retooling after several skill-position players were shown the door over the past week.

Cardinals To Sign Josh Sweat

March 10th, 2025 at 2:21pm CST by Sam Robinson

The top edge rusher on the market has not needed to wait long to find a destination. Josh Sweat has reached a deal with the Cardinals, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.

This will be a four-year, $76.4MM deal, Schefter adds. Sweat will collect $41MM guaranteed. Coming off a strong 2024 regular and postseason with the Eagles, he will be counted on to add a considerable boost along the edge in Arizona.

One of the top free agents entering the week, Sweat will parlay a dominant Super Bowl LIX performance into a nice third contract. The Cardinals will reunite the seven-year Eagles EDGE with Jonathan Gannon, Sweat’s DC for two seasons in Philly. The Eagles have now lost both Sweat and Milton Williams. Especially since the Super Bowl champs re-signed Zack Baun, these defections are not unexpected.

Sweat’s contract looks similar to Shaquil Barrett‘s after his Super Bowl rampage. The Buccaneers had agreed to a four-year, $72MM deal to bring back Barrett, who had pressured Patrick Mahomes throughout a Super Bowl LV blowout. Sweat did not do as well, but he also does not have a sack title on his resume like Barrett did. Still, Sweat did well to rebound after taking a pay cut to stay with the Eagles last year.

Carrying only one double-digit sack season on his resume (11 in 2022), Sweat still led a championship-winning Eagles team in sacks (eight) before registering 2.5 more against the Chiefs. Sweat pushing Kansas City LT Joe Thuney into Mahomes, forcing a Baun second-quarter interception, rounded out a banner night for a player who hit free agency at just 27. Sweat did well to only sign a three-year contract (worth $40MM) in 2021, keeping him squarely in his prime to cash in as the cap exploded. The cap has gone up by an astonishing $97MM since Sweat’s last contract.

The Cardinals re-signed Baron Browning just before free agency but will slide the ex-Bronco to the sidekick role upon landing Sweat. Stepping into Gannon’s system should bring familiarity, as Sweat’s best season came under Gannon. Sweat’s 11 sacks helped Philly threaten the 1984 Bears’ single-season sack record, and he became the player retained last year — ahead of a Haason Reddick separation. The Eagles still have Nolan Smith rostered, but Myles Garrett rumors turned out to be irrelevant after the latter’s record-smashing Browns extension.

Philly may need to add a piece to its edge rush, as little experience exists after Smith. A Cardinals team that has not effectively rebounded after the exists of Chandler Jones, J.J. Watt and Zach Allen acquired a proven pass rusher. More work remains on Arizona’s defensive line, but Sweat represents a building block in Gannon’s third season.

49ers, TE Luke Farrell Agree To Deal

March 10th, 2025 at 2:18pm CST by Sam Robinson

As the 49ers look to continue George Kittle‘s tenure with the team, another tight end investment is being made. Luke Farrell has agreed to a three-year contract with San Francisco, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Farrell will earn $11MM guaranteed, per Rapoport. The pact has a maximum value of $20.25MM. The 27-year-old has cashed in considerably after playing out his rookie contract with the Jaguars.

Kittle is unsurprisingly on San Francisco’s extension radar, having established a Hall of Fame case with the team, but the 49ers lost multiple backups — Charlie Woerner and Ross Dwelley — last year. They also saw the Lions match their Brock Wright RFA offer sheet. Farrell will arrive in San Francisco as a contributor more as a blocker than receiver.

Kyle Shanahan’s offense features extensive blocking assignments from his tight ends, as Kittle fantasy GMs know quite well, and Farrell comes in after seeing 238 run-blocking snaps (compared to just 103 as a receiver) last season. Urban Meyer drafted Farrell in the fifth round out of Ohio State, after coaching him with the Buckeyes, but Doug Pederson became Farrell’s primary NFL coach. The 27-year-old Ohio native has yet to score an NFL touchdown but has missed only two games during a four-year career.

The 49ers’ second-most used tight end from last season — Eric Saubert — is a free agent. Farrell appears all set to fill that role behind Kittle. Though, the 49ers may need to keep shopping if they want a another reserve tight end with notable receiving chops.

Adam La Rose contributed to this post.

Bills To Sign WR Josh Palmer

March 10th, 2025 at 2:14pm CST by Adam La Rose

One of the youngest receivers on the market has quickly managed to find a new home. Josh Palmer has a three-year, $36MM deal in place with the Bills, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.

The Bills will pair the former Chargers supporting-caster with the recently extended Khalil Shakir and 2024 second-round pick Keon Coleman. This looks to be Buffalo’s top trio for 2025, but the team still has Curtis Samuel under contract and gave Mack Hollins plenty of snaps last season. Still, it appears Amari Cooper‘s Bills tenure will be limited to barely a half-season.

While a Giants-Palmer connection (via ESPN.com’s Jordan Raanan) emerged just before the legal tampering period, the Bills are spending notable cash to bring in a player who had fallen out of favor with the Bolts. Palmer’s name came up in trade rumors before the 2024 deadline, as the Bolts had reduced his workload. Then again, Jim Harbaugh’s arrival cut down on Charger pass volume as a whole. Only Ladd McConkey stood out among the Chargers’ pass catchers in the accomplished HC’s first season back in the NFL.

Palmer is only 25, however, and he flashed as a replacement during Keenan Allen and Mike Williams injury spells. Williams’ September 2023 ACL tear brought Palmer into the role of WR2. He totaled 581 receiving yards that year and averaged 15.8 per catch, finishing off that season with the overmatched Easton Stick in as the Bolts’ starter (after Justin Herbert‘s thumb surgery). Palmer managed this in just 10 games, having needed an IR stint that year. In 2022, a season Allen missed nearly half of due to a nagging hamstring ailment, Palmer posted a career-high 769 receiving yards on 72 receptions.

Also supplying extensive experience out wide and in the slot, Palmer brings a versatile skillset to Buffalo. The Bills’ offense already runs through a slot receiver, as the team just gave Shakir a deal eclipsing $13MM per year. Buffalo used an egalitarian setup at WR last season, with Josh Allen spreading the ball around during a stretch that undoubtedly hurt Cooper’s free agency value. While Cooper was still viewed as in play to stay in Buffalo, Palmer — who snuck into our top 50 free agents list this year — will play with the reigning MVP in his prime.

Adam La Rose contributed to this post.

Jaguars, S Eric Murray Agree To Deal; Team To Add WR Dyami Brown

March 10th, 2025 at 2:02pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Jaguars have used Monday to line up a pair of offensive additions, but they are also making moves on defense. Safety Eric Murray is joining Jacksonville.

Team and player have agreed to a three-year, $22.5MM deal, as first reported by NFL Network’s Maurice Jones-Drew. The contract includes $12MM in guarantees. After a five-year run in Houston, Murray will remain in the AFC South.

In addition to the Murray agreement, a deal is also in place with Dyami Brown. The former Commanders wideout is signing a one-year pact, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. Brown – whose rookie contract has expired – has secured a $10MM deal worth up to $12MM.

The Jaguars have made significant changes to their skill-position corps since Liam Coen arrived, cutting Evan Engram, Devin Duvernay and Josh Reynolds and trading Christian Kirk. Brown qualifies as a potential-over-production addition, as he has one season with more than 300 receiving yards — 308 in 2024. Washington did not see too much from the 2021 third-round pick, but Jacksonville will take what amounts to a semi-expensive flier.

Brown is heading into an age-26 season, and the Jags will certainly need to see more from him to justify this one-year payment. The team did not see its $13MM-per-year deal for Gabriel Davis amount to much last season, putting some pressure on the ex-Bills WR2 now that a new regime is running the show. Brown will step in as a complementary piece behind Davis and Brian Thomas Jr.

Murray has come back after multiple one-year contracts near the league minimum. This deal tops what the Texans gave him (three years, $18MM) back in 2020; the five-year Houston contributor — after playing for $2.5MM in 2023 and $1.75MM last season — has scored a massive raise. Murray did so despite going into an age-31 season. But as the Texans slid Jalen Pitre to the nickel spot, Murray moved into a starting role once again.

The former Chiefs fourth-rounder made 75 tackles and intercepted one pass during a season that produced a No. 54 overall safety grade from Pro Football Focus. The Jags lost Andre Cisco to the Jets on Monday; Murray’s contract will make him a clear candidate to replace him.

Adam La Rose contributed to this post

Broncos To Sign S Talanoa Hufanga

March 10th, 2025 at 1:55pm CST by Sam Robinson

Carrying an interesting market into free agency, Talanoa Hufanga has blended one of this decade’s top safety seasons with an injury-plagued recent past. The former All-Pro, however, has naturally generated interest.

The Broncos are signing the three-year starter, 9News’ Mike Klis reports. Denver had been mentioned as a team pursuing Hufanga, per ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler, even though they return both their 2024 safety starters. It would appear Hufanga will be in line to replace P.J. Locke alongside 2024 addition Brandon Jones in the Broncos’ starting lineup.

One of the top safeties available this offseason, Hufanga will not see his ACL tear and subsequent wrist injury cost him too much. His Broncos deal can be worth up to $45MM and includes $20MM guaranteed. Hufanga’s contract betters Jones’; the ex-Dolphin is on the Broncos’ cap sheet on a three-year, $20MM deal.

Denver is adding Hufanga ahead of his age-26 season and will hope the former fifth-round pick can remind of his 2022 form soon. Winning a starting job out of training camp that year, Hufanga intercepted four passes, forced two fumbles and posted two sacks for a top-five 49ers defense that season. Adding five TFLs that year, the USC product took one of his INTs back for a score. A year after cutting Justin Simmons, the Broncos have dived back into the safety market for help.

After a woeful 2023 start, Vance Joseph‘s unit has picked up the pieces. Jones was part of this effort last season, as Pro Football Focus graded him as the No. 3 overall safety. Hufanga stands to be an upgrade on Locke, who had helped the 2023 Bronco edition rebound before not faring quite as well last season. Locke is tied to a two-year, $7MM pact and could well slide back to the second-string role he played behind Simmons and Kareem Jackson prior to 2023. The Broncos could also save more than $4MM by releasing Locke.

The 49ers had expressed interest in re-signing Hufanga, but they did see his injuries give Ji’Ayir Brown and Malik Mustapha extensive playing time. San Francisco may opt to stay young at safety, especially as a big-ticket Brock Purdy extension looms. The Broncos will see Hufanga’s guarantees line up with Bo Nix‘s rookie contract.

Bears To Sign DL Dayo Odeyingbo

March 10th, 2025 at 1:53pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Bears have made three major moves along the offensive line this offseason, and their defensive front is also undergoing changes. Dayo Odeyingbo is headed to the Windy City, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports.

This will be a three-year deal, Biggs adds. $48MM represents the overall value of the pact, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. $32MM is guaranteed in full, according to his colleague Ian Rapoport.

PFR’s No. 12 overall free agent, Odeyingbo will parlay his work in multiple D-line roles in Indianapolis into an upper-middle-class D-tackle deal in Chicago. Odeyingbo became a bit too pricey for the Colts to retain, as they already have D-line commitments to DeForest Buckner, Samson Ebukam and Grover Stewart; the team also has first-rounders Kwity Paye and Laiatu Latu under contract.

Throwing out his injury-delayed rookie season — which came after a pre-draft Achilles tear — Odeyingbo totaled 21 tackles for loss and 45 QB hits in his career. He posted eight sacks in 2023, playing 210 snaps on the inside (compared to 162 in 2024), as the Colts finished with 51 sacks – fifth-most in the league. The young D-end combined for eight sacks between the 2022 and ’24 seasons and has forced four fumbles over the past two years.

Odeyingbo will bring a power component opposite Montez Sweat‘s pure pass-rushing skillset, though the former has extensive experience sliding inside to rush on passing downs. Grady Jarrett is now in place on the Bears’ D-line as well, giving Sweat much better complementary rushers than he enjoyed last season. Bears 2024 trade acquisition Darrell Taylor is now a free agent.

No Bears player surpassed six sacks last season, as Sweat’s total dropped significantly from 2023. The additions of Odeyingbo and Jarrett should add some muscle to Chicago’s defense, thus helping Sweat receive better opportunities. Sweat’s presence also will free up Odeyingbo. After operating as an auxiliary pass rusher with the Colts, the Purdue alum will be expected — via this $16MM-per-year deal — to be a consistent producer. Odeyingbo’s three-year contract will allow for a potential second lucrative payday down the road, should he deliver on this initial accord.

Adam La Rose contributed to this post.

Colts, S Camryn Bynum Agree To Deal

March 10th, 2025 at 1:47pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Colts’ first agreement of the day is a lucrative one. Safety Camryn Bynum is set to join the Colts on a four-year, $60MM contract, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports.

Bynum’s work in Brian Flores‘ defense will secure him a upper-crust safety payday. More notably, this is a big-ticket outside free agency addition from the Colts, who have been hesitant to explore these avenues — for the most part — under GM Chris Ballard. The veteran front office boss pointed to a philosophical shift this offseason, however, and Bynum will be a big part of that.

A homegrown secondary has not produced positive results for the Colts, who struggled against the pass for much of Gus Bradley‘s three-year tenure. Lou Anarumo is now in place as Indianapolis’ DC. Anarumo’s Bengals defense missed Jessie Bates over the past two seasons; the veteran defensive play-caller will now have another young safety talent in his secondary.

This brings a potentially significant loss for the Vikings, who have Harrison Smith going into what would be an age-36 season. The Minnesota staple is contemplating retirement. The Vikes also have Byron Murphy and Stephon Gilmore in free agency, creating big-picture questions in their secondary. Rumblings about a Vikings-Bynum re-signing did not produce a deal, however, and the Colts will bet on the former fourth-round pick.

Bynum, who is going into an age-27 season, had been a quality role player on a Vikings defense that made major strides during Flores’ two seasons. Pro Football Focus viewed Bynum as taking a step back in his contract year, ranking him outside the top 60 after a 21st-place assessment in 2023. Though, Bynum has been durable (51 starts since 2022) and intercepted eight passes on his rookie deal. Bynum also forced three fumbles in 2023. The Cal product also made a substantial impact as a tackler, registering 137 in 2023 and 96 last season.

The Colts have Julian Blackmon again in free agency, and after a breakthrough Nick Cross season, the former third-round pick is in a contract year. Bynum’s deal may well impact Cross’ future, but as of now, the Colts do not have too much money allocated elsewhere in their secondary.

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