Titans Expected To Sign LB Azeez Al-Shaair
More off-ball linebacker dominoes are falling Tuesday, the latest involving the Titans. They are signing former 49ers linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, Dianna Russini of ESPN.com tweets.
Al-Shaair has a clear connection to Tennessee, with new Titans GM Ran Carthon being in San Francisco when the 49ers acquired him back in 2019. After the 49ers gave Fred Warner a then-record extension back in 2021 and then extended Dre Greenlaw, it became clear Al-Shaair would need to sign his second contract elsewhere.
The former UDFA had multiple clear options — both in the AFC South — to choose from in leaving the Bay Area. DeMeco Ryans being the Texans’ coach created a clear avenue to Houston, and the Titans’ rivals were believed to be interested. But Al-Shaair will reunite with Carthon in Tennessee.
A Greenlaw 2021 injury opened the door for Al-Shaair to audition as a three-down linebacker. He made regular contributions to Ryans’ first San Francisco defense, and Pro Football Focus graded the Florida Atlantic product as a top-20 off-ball ‘backer in 2022. Al-Shaair, 25, came off IR around the midseason point and remained a regular, though Warner and Greenlaw garnered more playing time. Al-Shaair, who made 102 tackles during his extended audition in 2021, should have a chance to be a three-down ‘backer with the Titans.
The Titans are retooling at linebacker, and although this project may not be as significant as the one the team is working on along its offensive line, both David Long and Zach Cunningham are no longer on the roster. The Titans cut Cunningham and let Long agree to a Dolphins deal Monday. This opens the door for Al-Shaair, who will be a great be to be a three-down regular in Tennessee next season.
Browns, LB Sione Takitaki Agree To Deal
Although Sione Takitaki‘s ACL tear affected his value, the Browns will give him a chance to recover and re-establish himself next season. They are signing the veteran linebacker to a one-year deal, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com tweets. Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot first reported the sides were expected to agree to another contract.
Takitaki’s deal is set to check in around $2.6MM. He will return to a Browns team that also has Jacob Phillips recovering from a season-ending injury. The Browns have not re-signed trade acquisition Deion Jones. Takitaki said in January he wanted to stay in Cleveland.
The Browns ran into a number of injury issues at linebacker last season and struggled consistently against the run. Takitaki’s setback came after the team lost Anthony Walker and Jacob Phillips, but the former third-round pick was progressing toward a possible Browns extension prior to his knee tear. Pro Football Focus has viewed Takitaki as one of the NFL’s more consistent linebackers in recent years, rating him just inside the top 30 at the position last season.
Owusu-Koramoah remains Cleveland’s anchor at the position; he stands to be the team’s candidate to sign a lucrative extension among its linebackers. Takitaki could be a future candidate for a mid-tier deal. For now, the BYU product will need to work his way back. He is expected to be ready to go just before the season, per Fowler.
Takitaki, however, is already headed for his age-28 season. He is running short on time to capitalize on his value. The 2023 season, then, stands to be critical. In the wake of the Walker and Phillips injuries, Takitaki logged a 65% defensive snap rate. That came in well north of his previous three seasons, despite Takitaki starting 20 games from 2020-21. He finished with a career-best 71 tackles last season.
Eagles Agree To Terms With RB Rashaad Penny
The Eagles have seen some notable departures in the opening stages of this year’s free agent period. They are set to make an addition on offense, however. Philadelphia has agreed to terms on a deal with running back Rashaad Penny, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (Twitter link). 
The NFC champions enjoyed a career year from Miles Sanders in 2022 as the focal point of their elite rushing attack. After three teams elected to use the franchise tag on tailbacks of their own, however, Sanders is poised to be the top option at the position on the open market. As a result, he is widely expected to price himself out of Philadelphia.
Penny could prove to be a cost-effective alternative for the Eagles. The former Seahawk has dealt with myriad injuries throughout his career, including a torn ACL in 2020. More recently, the former first-rounder suffered a broken fibula midway through the 2022 season, derailing what had once again looked to be a promising campaign. Penny has yet to play in a full NFL season.
With veteran Chris Carson having retired after dealing with injury issues of his own, Penny took on the No. 1 role this season. He appeared to be well on his way to a strong year, averaging 6.1 yards per carry. The injury made Seattle’s previous decision to decline his fifth-year option an even more understandable one, though. Penny, 27, made $5.75MM on a one-year pact in 2022.
It is unlikely he will be able to top that figure on this new Eagles pact, but a short-term investment on Philadelphia’s part could prove to be worthwhile. Penny has averaged 5.7 yards per carry in his career (albeit with relatively limited opportunities), and could carry that efficiency over while running behind one of the league’s best offensive lines. The Eagles averaged just under 148 rushing yards per game last season, which ranked fifth in the NFL.
Sanders, along with fellow pending free agent Boston Scott, played a key role in that figure, of course. With Penny in place, however, high-end production on the ground should still be expected provided he can remain healthy.
Lions To Sign CB Emmanuel Moseley
The Lions have now agreed to terms with two free agent cornerbacks. They are bringing in Emmanuel Moseley, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports (via Twitter).
A former 49ers starter, Moseley is coming off an injury-shortened season. He suffered an ACL tear in October. The Lions are giving him a one-year, $6MM deal, per Schefter. This follows Detroit’s Cameron Sutton signing.
While Sutton profiles as a high-value get, given his market, the Lions have been a bit more cautious regarding their other defensive additions. They have now added Moseley and re-signed three of their own — defensive linemen Isaiah Buggs and John Cominsky and linebacker Alex Anzalone — as they attempt to move on from a season in which Aaron Glenn’s unit ranked last in scoring defense.
Moseley stayed in San Francisco on a two-year, $9.4MM contract back in 2021, and he played a starting role for the first of the team’s back-to-back 2020s seasons that ended in the NFC championship game. Moseley, who turns 27 next week, started a career-high 11 games that season. He added three postseason starts that year, but the ACL tear sustained the following season squashed the momentum he was building.
Had that ACL setback not occurred, this $6MM price may not come too close. A 49ers UDFA find, the 5-foot-11 cover man allowed passer ratings — as the closest defender in coverage — of 65.6 and 66.9 in 2021 and ’22. Pro Football Focus also viewed the young defender well, ranking him just outside the top 30 in both 2019 and ’21. He notched a pick-six for San Francisco’s No. 1-ranked defense prior to going down last season.
Moseley will join Sutton in attempting to elevate Detroit’s cornerback crew. The team still has Bob Quinn-era draftee Jeff Okudah on its payroll, though the Ohio State product has not panned out as expected. Once on the extension radar, Amari Oruwariye is now a free agent. The Lions ranked 30th against the pass last season; they might not be done augmenting their corner contingent.
Dolphins Agree To Terms With RB Jeff Wilson
Not long after retaining one of their top running backs from the 2022 season, the Dolphins are set to keep the other. Miami is re-signing Jeff Wilson on a two-year deal worth up to $8.2MM (Twitter link via ESPN’s Adam Schefter). 
Earlier today, it was learned that the Dolphins had agreed to terms on a similar deal with Raheem Mostert, after he enjoyed a career-year in his debut Miami season. Wilson joined in him South Beach midway through the campaign, being deemed expendable by the 49ers after they acquired Christian McCaffrey. Now, he and Mostert will remain in place for the short-term future.
Wilson, 27, had exclusively played for the 49ers before being dealt to Miami in 2022. That time included work alongside Mike McDaniel, whose success in orchestrating the 49ers’ success in the run game helped earn him the head coaching position in Miami. Wilson had shown consistency from an efficiency perspective during his time in the Bay Area, but dealt with several injuries as well.
The former UDFA logged six starts in San Francisco last season, but only one in Miami after the trade. His snap share and number of carries, however, remained nearly identical in his new home. Wilson ran for 392 yards (on an average of 4.7 per carry) with the Dolphins, scoring four total touchdowns. His performance in the Dolphins’ playoff loss left plenty to be desired, but Miami is nevertheless content to keep him in the fold.
The Dolphins made it clear in the approach to the offseason that retaining both Mostert and Wilson would be an outcome they were amenable to. Despite their respective acquisitions, and several moves to bolster their offensive line, Miami struggled on the ground during the season. Further depth could be added, of course, but the top of their backfield depth chart will remain as is when the 2023 season kicks off.
49ers To Re-Sign C Jake Brendel
After a few years of changes at the position, the 49ers will establish some center continuity. They are re-signing Jake Brendel, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.
Inserted into San Francisco’s starting lineup following Alex Mack‘s retirement, Brendel started all 20 49ers games last season. He agreed to terms on a four-year extension, per Rapoport, who adds the Jets made a push to add him as well. The 49ers are giving Brendel $8MM guaranteed, with Rapoport adding (via Twitter) the deal maxes out at $20MM.
The 49ers showed considerable confidence in Brendel ahead of last season, passing on adding a proven option to give the career backup an opportunity. Brendel, who had made three starts over the previous six seasons, displayed consistency and helped the 49ers’ Christian McCaffrey-led rushing attack during the team’s 12-game win streak. ESPN’s run block win rate metric graded Brendel fifth among centers.
Pro Football Focus graded Brendel as the league’s No. 20 center, and a number of options — Connor McGovern (the older one), Ethan Pocic and Garrett Bradbury — were available. We have seen a run on center re-signings, however, with Pocic and Bradbury also returning to their teams (the Browns and Vikings, respectively). It will be interesting if these developments lead the Jets to keep McGovern.
Brendel will turn 31 before the season starts. The 49ers liked enough about what they saw from the former UDFA last year to reinvest. Brendel has been with 49ers O-line coach Chris Foerster since the latter’s Dolphins days, but he only started three games in Miami. The 49ers used Brendel as a backup option dating back to 2020.
The 49ers spent to fortify their center position early in Kyle Shanahan’s tenure, but Weston Richburg ended up suffering a career-ending injury to cut his time in San Francisco short. They used veteran Ben Garland post-Richburg, and Shanahan linked up with former Falcons pupil Mack in 2021. While Mack started every game for the 49ers that season, he retired last summer. The Niners now have Mack’s successor locked in at a reasonable rate. That contract will accompany Spencer Burford and Aaron Banks‘ rookie deals, along with Colton McKivitz‘s low-cost extension, on the Trent Williams-fronted line.
Steelers, G Nate Herbig Agree To Deal
A year after restocking their offensive line with midlevel contracts, the Steelers will add another veteran blocker at a reasonable rate. The team is bringing in Nate Herbig, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets.
Herbig agreed to a two-year, $8MM deal with the Steelers, with Garafolo adding there is a path to Herbig starting. Although Herbig most recently contributed with the Jets, he was in Philadelphia during Steelers assistant GM Andy Weidl’s time there. Weidl believes Herbig can be a starter, and he showed as much last season.
Alijah Vera-Tucker‘s injury forced Herbig to step into a regular role as a starter, and the ex-Eagle ended up starting 11 games. Pro Football Focus slotted Herbig just outside the top 50 among guards last season, but the Steelers will bring him aboard to join an O-line featuring some similar investments.
The Steelers added guard James Daniels and center Mason Cole during the 2022 offseason, one in which they also reached a midlevel accord with right tackle Chukwuma Okorafor. Neither Weidl nor GM Omar Khan were in place at that point, so the Herbig signing should be notable through this lens. The Steelers still have Daniels and fellow guard starter Kevin Dotson under contract.
Herbig also started 12 games with the Eagles in 2020, filling in for an injured Isaac Seumalo. Weidl did not leave Philadelphia until last spring and was with the team when it signed Herbig as a UDFA. The Steelers still have former third-round pick Kendrick Green as a backup guard option, but it is safe to say Herbig will be the bigger threat for a first-string role compared to the former center. Daniels also has center experience, albeit several years ago, if the Steelers want to take that route.
Vikings To Re-Sign C Garrett Bradbury
The Vikings will have continuity in the middle of their offensive line for the next few seasons. Minnesota has reached an agreement to retain center Garrett Bradbury, reports Mike Garafolo of NFL Network (Twitter link). His colleague Ian Rapoport tweets that the new deal is worth $15.75MM over three years. 
[RELATED: Vikings To Retain QB Nick Mullens]
Bradbury entered the league with considerable expectations, after he was drafted in the first round following a strong college career. His level of play early in his NFL tenure, however, left plenty to be desired and left his Minnesota future very much in doubt. The team declined his fifth-year option last spring, which would have made him a free agent tomorrow in the absence of this new deal.
The 27-year-old has been a full-time starter throughout his career, one which saw him earn consistent but underwhelming PFF grades for three straight seasons. He took a step forward in that regard in 2022, though, generating an overall rating above 70 for the first time. Overall, he ranked 11th in the league amongst qualified centers, giving the team optimism that his ascent will continue.
The NC State product made it clear on multiple occasions that his desire was to remain with the Vikings. He will now get his wish, and give the team a familiar face at the position at a reasonable AAV, compared to other, generally older, options at the position around the league. Retaining Bradbury marks a more long-term commitment on the Vikings’ part than the one currently in place with their starting quarterback.
Signs are pointing to Kirk Cousins playing out the final year of his current contract in the absence of an extension. That will no doubt lead to speculation about the team’s plans under center, but regardless of who is in place at the quarterback position for the short-term future, Bradbury will be a constant on the offensive line.
Saints To Retain WR Michael Thomas
The Saints and Michael Thomas will, in fact, stick together for an eighth season. Viewed as being on the way out of New Orleans after an offseason restructure, Thomas is now on track to stay. 
Thomas agreed to a reworked one-year deal to stay with the Saints on Tuesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. It will be an incentive-laden deal, and Adam Schefter of ESPN.com adds the Saints are giving the former All-Pro wideout $10MM in base value (Twitter link). The deal can spike to $15MM through the aforementioned incentives.
Following the Saints’ Derek Carr signing, Thomas sent out a few tweets praising the move. The Saints had been in negotiations with Thomas over the weekend, and the progress has led to another agreement. This is a far cry from the five-year, $96.25MM extension Thomas was attached to before a January restructure, but the former All-Pro has run into consistent injury trouble that has sidetracked his career.
New Orleans put faith in Thomas again last year, despite his 2020 injury trouble and full-season 2021 absence, but another round of health setbacks ensued. Thomas played in three games last season, with a lingering toe injury sending him to IR. The Saints have missed their former No. 1 wideout over the past three seasons, and his return would now seemingly put him behind Chris Olave in the team’s wideout pecking order.
Thomas, 30, will enter the coming season four years removed from his historic 2019 campaign. That year, he set the all-time NFL record for receptions in a season (149), and led the league in yards with 1,725. That came immediately after a year in which he posted a 125-1404-9 statline, and confirmed his status as one of the league’s top offensive players at any position when healthy.
The frequency with which he has been sidelined since then, though, has led to speculation about his Saints future, and, to no surprise, this new, relatively modest deal. A bounce-back season would not only help Olave (who topped 1,000 yards as a rookie last year) and the rest of the team perform with more consistency in the passing game, but also allow Thomas to rebuild his own value. With a new quarterback and now a (potentially) high-end wideout in place for 2023, the Saints could be in line for a notable step forward on offense.
Eagles, C Jason Kelce Agree To New Deal
Jason Kelce announced on Monday that he will suit up for the Eagles in 2023. A new contract is now in place to ensure that he will remain the league’s highest-paid player at his position. 
A team announcement confirmed that the 35-year-old is on the books for 2023 at a different figure than what he was set for while he was mulling retirement. Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer tweets that the one-year pact has a value of $14.25MM, and can reach $14.75MM with incentives. That represents a slight pay increase from what he received last season.
The future Hall of Famer’s playing future was in doubt leading up to the Eagles’ Super Bowl loss, but his high level of play continuing through 2022 suggests that he will be able to remain the anchor of the team’s offensive line for at least one more campaign. It thus comes as little surprise that the NFC champions moved quickly to get a new contract in place with him.
Kelce’s cap number could be manipulated with the usage of void years, something which the team has used in recent years in particular. That will help the Eagles in their bid to keep as many core players from the 2022 season as possible, something which so far has seen multiple significant departures. Philadelphia’s offensive line figures to once again be a strength of the team in 2023, however, especially with Kelce in place for a 13th Eagles season.
The five-time All-Pro helped the Eagles rank top-10 in both passing and rushing offense in 2022, as their balance and efficiency on that side of the ball was on full display throughout the season. Kelce earned a PFF grade above 80 for the seventh time last season, so a repeat of that performance will go a long way in ensuring the Eagles remain competitive after likely losing several more key players in the near future.