Buccaneers To Sign WR Julio Jones
Although the Buccaneers have two Pro Bowl wide receivers and gave former Falcon Russell Gage a $10MM-per-year deal this offseason, they are not stopping here at wide receiver. A rather notable ex-Gage teammate is coming to Tampa.
The Bucs reached a one-year agreement with Julio Jones on Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. He will team with Gage, his Atlanta teammate of three seasons, along with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin in what will be another decorated Tampa Bay receiver stable. Jones committed to the Bucs for $6MM, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. The deal can be worth up to $8MM.
This news comes shortly after Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times noted Godwin will not start camp on the Bucs’ active/PUP list (Twitter link). It would certainly have been understandable if Godwin, who suffered a torn ACL in December and underwent surgery Jan. 3, eased into camp work. But the former Pro Bowler will not require a roster move to begin practice. Coupled with the Jones addition, the Bucs will have one of the most accomplished wideout groups in modern NFL history.
While Tampa Bay signing an All-Decade wideout to pair with Tom Brady is not exactly new, given the team’s multiyear partnership with Antonio Brown, Jones brings none of the off-field baggage Brown does. That said, Brown displayed a higher performance level than Jones last season. Jones has seen hamstring trouble sidetrack his career, leading to an absence-laden Titans season and a several-month free agency stay — after Tennessee made the 2021 trade acquisition a cap casualty in March. The Bucs will still take a flier on the player who ripped off the most prolific six-year stretch by a receiver in NFL history.
Jones’ 9,388 receiving yards from 2014-19 are the most in a six-season span ever, but in the 2020s, the former perennial Pro Bowler has missed 14 games. Most of those absences came because of hamstring trouble. Jones’ hamstring issues led him to Tennessee’s IR list in 2021, a season in which he finished with 31 catches for 434 yards and one touchdown. Those were easily career-worst totals for the future Hall of Famer, but the Bucs will attempt to coax a bounce-back effort in Jones’ age-33 season.
The Bucs are making this signing despite rostering Scotty Miller, Breshad Perriman, 2021 fourth-round pick Jaelon Darden and 2020 fifth-round pick Tyler Johnson as well. Miller’s rookie-contract contributions notwithstanding, he is not a lock to make Tampa Bay’s roster. The same can probably be said for Jones, who will need to show — at least during camp and the preseason — he can submit a stretch of healthy work to be part of this talented receiving corps. Jones staying healthy during the preseason should all but assure him a spot on this roster.
Dolphins To Sign WR Mohamed Sanu
The Dolphins have already been in the headlines this offseason with their additions at the receiver position. The team is making another one today, signing veteran Mohamed Sanu, per his agent (on Twitter). 
The former third-rounder has been well-travelled in recent years, a notable contrast to the early part of his career. In 2014 (the third of four years spent with the Bengals), he posted 790 yards – a total which remained his career high for several years. It wasn’t until his final full season in Atlanta that he upped that mark with a personal-best 66 receptions and 838 yards.
Since his midseason 2019 trade to the Patriots, however, Sanu’s production has dropped off. 2020 was also split between two teams (the 49ers and Lions); it was with the latter that he registered the most recent starts of his career. Despite releasing him the year before, San Francisco brought back the Rutgers product in 2021. Limited to eight games, he played nearly half of the team’s offensive snaps, but made just 15 catches. The 49ers have Jauan Jennings as their primary backup to Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk.
In Miami, Sanu will join a WR corps which already featured Jaylen Waddle and added Tyreek Hill and Cedrick Wilson this offseason. He will look to catch onto the backend of the roster as the Dolphins aim to take a dramatic step forward on offense. To make room for the signing, the team is releasing WR Cody Core with a non-football injury designation (Twitter link via CBS’ Jonathan Jones).
Seahawks RB Chris Carson Retires
Earlier this offseason, it came out that Chris Carson‘s playing days may very well be over. Today, that fear has been confirmed, as Carson is retiring from the NFL at the age of 27 (Twitter link via NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport). 
Carson was limited to just four games this season as a result of a neck injury. It was the latest in a long list of issues preventing him from playing a full season in any of his five NFL seasons, all spent in Seattle. In June, head coach Pete Carroll indicated that the injury severely threated Carson’s ability to play again.
As Rapoport notes, the Seahawks are officially releasing Carson (who has one non-void year remaining on his contract) with a failed physical designation. Doing so will allow him to receive injury protection benefits, just as they have done previously with the likes of Cliff Avril and Kam Chancellor. While that news will certainly help Carson financially, today is nevertheless the unfortunate end of his NFL career.
The five-year veteran, who signed a two-year deal worth $10.4MM in March 2021, will still collect $2MM from the Seahawks via injury protection, Joel Corry of CBS Sports tweets. The Seahawks will be hit with $1.2MM of that cost on their 2022 salary cap.
Then, earlier this month, Carson expressed his intentions of working to get back on the field in spite of the long odds. “I see myself playing until I feel like stopping,” he said. “My mindset is never to give up, so I’m staying positive like I said, and [will] continue to fight and get back onto the field.”
The former seventh-round pick took on the No. 1 role in his second season, and held onto it until the neck injury. He topped 1,100 rushing yards in 2018 and 2019, providing the offense with a consistent, quality presence. Overall, he amassed 4,306 scrimmage yards and 31 total touchdowns in 49 career games.
Seattle added youth at the position in recent years, drafting Travis Homer and DeeJay Dallas. Most recently, they added Kenneth Walker this past April, further signaling that Carson’s days may have been numbered. That trio, along with Rashaad Penny, will look to fill the void left by Carson’s absence.
Steelers Sign RB Jeremy McNichols
The Steelers have added some depth to their offensive backfield. The team announced on Tuesday that they have signed Jeremy McNichols. 
The former fifth-rounder bounced around quite a bit early in his career. By far the largest workload he has received to date has come during his two years with the Titans, though. Between 2020 and 2021, he logged 88 carries for 360 yards and one touchdown. McNichols stood out in the passing game as well, adding 295 yards on 40 catches in Tennessee.
The 26-year-old had the opportunity to become the team’s lead back after Derrick Henry‘s injury, but D’Onta Foreman wound up being the primary beneficiary of the increased snaps. After the Titans made some changes to their RBs room, McNichols was on the move once again in free agency, initially signing with the Falcons. By the middle of last month, though, he found himself on waivers and in need of a new home.
The Steelers, meanwhile, have been in the market for depth at the position. While Najee Harris is in line to remain the focal point of Pittsburgh’s offense and shoulder one of the heaviest workloads in the NFL, increased competition for backup spots will be in order. McNichols will look to carve out a role for himself on a depth chart also featuring Benny Snell and Anthony McFarland Jr. The way the team’s backfield shakes out in camp will be an intriguing storyline within their new-look offense.
Bears To Sign OT Riley Reiff
The remodelling of Chicago’s offensive line continues. The Bears are signing veteran tackle Riley Reiff, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter (Twitter link). 
The one-year pact carries a maximum value of $12.5MM, with $10MM of that total considered likely to be earned, Schefter adds. This marks the second straight offseason in which he joins a new team on a one-year free agent deal, albeit he is doing so far later this year than last. Reiff previously worked out with the Jets, who made an offer, but no deal ever came to fruition.
The 33-year-old joined the Bengals last year, on a contract which was smaller than the one he is signing now. He started all 12 games he appeared in, before being sidelined with an injury in December. He earned a PFF grade of 67.3, continuing his career trend of solid, yet unspectacular, play.
Another notable aspect of Reiff’s play last season, of course, was the fact that he played right tackle, after manning the blindside during his tenure in Minnesota. He didn’t live up to the expectations associated with the five-year, $58.75MM contract he signed to join the Vikings, but will provide starting-caliber play for the Bears’ new-look offensive front.
Chicago signed fellow veteran blocker Michael Schofield yesterday. It remains to be seen where he and Reiff will line up, but their additions should help protect Justin Fields better in his second season.
Giants To Sign DL Nick Williams
The Giants are set to add some experience to their front seven. New York is signing veteran defensive lineman Nick Williams, reports Mike Garafolo of NFL Network (Twitter link). 
Williams was a seventh-round pick of the Steelers in 2013, but it was with the Chiefs that he made his debut the following season. He wound up making 21 appearances in Kansas City before being claimed off waivers by the Dolphins in 2016. He followed up that brief Miami tenure with two seasons in Chicago.
It was with the Bears in 2019 that Williams registered the first five starts of his career. He parlayed that increased playing time into personal bests in tackles (42) and sacks (six). Those totals earned him a two-year, $10MM contract with the Lions during the subsequent offseason.
The Samford alum has been a full-time starter in Detroit for the past two seasons. After an underwhelming performance in 2020 relative to the previous campaign, he took a pay cut to remain in the fold for 2021. With the Lions turning to younger options along their defensive line, they elected not to re-sign the 32-year-old this offseason.
In New York, Williams will join a d-line led by Leonard Williams, Dexter Lawrence and Justin Ellis. Given his snap share over the past three years (between 50% and 56%), the six-foot-four, 310-pounder will be capable of shouldering a rotational role, but also starting reps if need be. Per Garafolo, the Giants are waiving UDFA Jabari Ellis to make room for the Williams addition.
Raiders Announce G Denzelle Good’s Retirement
JULY 25: Two days after agreeing to rework the final year of his contract, Raiders offensive guard Denzelle Good has seemingly retired. No announcement has been officially made by Good, but the team tweeted today that he was being moved to the reserve/retired list.
Good agreed to take a lower salary in the deal reached this weekend, but the $425,000 available in potential incentives certainly didn’t point to an upcoming retirement. Perhaps in the next few days more information will accompany the move to help make sense of the order of actions here.
The departure of Good adds another question to an offensive line that is already chock-full of them. Recent reports had listed Good as one of two offensive linemen, alongside Kolton Miller, who were solidly expected to start, with the remaining three spots up in the air. Andre James is a good bet to continue starting at center after a successful season at the position last year. John Simpson is currently the favorite at left guard, but reports indicate that rookie third-round pick Dylan Parham could push both James and Simpson for a starting job at their positions.
The right side was expected to be Good at guard with Brandon Parker and Alex Leatherwood battling for the right tackle position. Lester Cotton was the first player listed beneath Good on the depth chart, but a likelier scenario sees Leatherwood concede the tackle spot to Parker and man the guard position. Leatherwood filled in when Good missed every game but one last season after tearing his ACL. Parker replaced Leatherwood as the starting tackle in that scenario, and it seems an easy fix to just put the two back to where they were at last year.
Regardless, of the possibilities, this news is a bit of a gut-check for an offensive line that already had questions to answer for the 2022 NFL season. It will certainly be an interesting position group to keep an eye on this summer at training camp.
JULY 23: Guard Denzelle Good is coming off a year that saw him miss every remaining game after tearing his ACL in Week 1 of the 2021 NFL season. Now, as he was scheduled to head into the last year of his contract, Good has agreed to a reworked contract for this season with the Raiders, according to Field Yates of ESPN. 
In the second and final year of the two-year deal he signed before last season, Good was scheduled to have a base salary of $3.09MM. In the new one-year contract meant to replace that final year, Las Vegas is set to pay Good a base salary of almost $1.04MM with a possible $425,000 available in incentives. The reduced salary is likely a reflection of his injury and could be an influence on future discussions once this contract year is over.
Before missing almost all of last year, Good had solidified his role as one of the team’s starting guards, starting 14 of the 15 games he appeared in during the 2020 season. Before that Good had been an intermittent starter since the Colts selected him in the seventh round in 2015. Despite recovering from his injury, Good is one of two players on the Raiders’ offensive line that is assumed to have a starting role locked down.
Good has been medically cleared and will be a participant when Las Vegas starts training camp on Thursday. He’ll look to have a bounce back year and show he’s fully recovered as he heads towards free agency.
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/25/22
Here are today’s minor roster moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Placed on reserve/retired list: DT Eddie Goldman (story)
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: RB Corey Clement
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: DT Domenique Davis, DE Raymond Johnson, LB Tegray Scales
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: S Dallin Leavitt, WR Osirus Mitchell
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: T David Steinmetz, T Evin Ksiezarczyk
- Placed on IR: WR Justyn Ross
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: G Jordan Meredith
- Placed on reserve/retired list: G Denzelle Good (story)
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: TE Shaun Beyer
- Placed on active/PUP list: WR Blake Proehl, LB Ryan Connelly
New York Giants
- Signed: S Andrew Adams
New York Jets
- Signed: G Isaiah Williams (re-signed)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Released: FB Trey Edmunds
Veteran WR Danny Amendola Retires
Longtime NFL wide receiver Danny Amendola has decided to hang up his cleats after 14 years in the league, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The former undrafted free agent out of Texas Tech certainly made an impact beyond his draft position with a lasting career of NFL football. 
Coming out of Lubbock at 5’10”, the diminutive Amendola immediately drew comparisons to another small, undrafted Red Raider wide receiver in Wes Welker, who had just finished tied for third in Offensive Player of the Year voting after an undefeated regular season with the Patriots. While Amendola certainly wanted to make his own name in the NFL, it didn’t hurt that his essential-twin was dominating four years after going undrafted.
Amendola had just had an impressive senior season for the Red Raiders, catching 109 passes for 1,245 yards and six touchdowns, but still ended up as an undrafted free agent signing with the Cowboys. He spent the entire season on the practice squad and then signed with the Eagles just to get assigned to their practice squad.
Amendola was finally granted an opportunity to play after the Rams signed him off the Eagle’s practice squad in 2009. Amendola played 14 games in that first season for St. Louis, ending the year as the team’s third receiver, but he really made his impact in the return game. In his first actual season of play, Amendola led the league in kick return yardage with 1,618 yards. He followed it up by leading the NFL in all-purpose yards in 2010 with 2,364 yards. That year saw his best receiving season with Amendola catching 85 balls for 689 yards and three touchdowns, adding 81 rushing yards, 452 punt return yards, and 1,142 kick off return yards.
The following year saw Amendola begin a long struggle with injuries. Including 15 games missed in 2011 due to a season-ending triceps surgery, Amendola would miss 24 games in the next three seasons and only play in all 16 games once for the rest of his career.
Still, Amendola was relied on throughout his career as a quick slot receiver and return man. When Welker departed New England for Denver in 2013, the Patriots went back to the undrafted Texas Tech well hours later to sign Amendola. Amendola would never quite match Welker’s production, but still gave five strong seasons that saw him pass 600 receiving yards three times and catch 12 touchdowns in the red, white, and blue. He would also lead the league in yards per punt return for the Patriots in 2015.
Amendola would bounce the next four years through Miami, Detroit, and Houston. He continued with the same type of receiving production but gave up kick returning duties and lost a lot of his effectiveness as a punt returner. Amendola’s season in Houston last year ended after he suffered a torn meniscus. It seems after 14 years in the league, that was finally the straw that broke the camel’s back and nudged the career-tough guy towards retirement.
Schefter reported that several teams came calling during the offseason, but Amendola knew it was time to let it all go. He’s ready to “pursue various other interests” that may include a future in broadcasting. About his career, Amendola was quoted saying, “It was better than I could have ever imagined.”
Bears To Sign OL Michael Schofield
The Bears have brought in an experienced offensive lineman ahead of training camp opening up. ESPN’s FIeld Yates reports (via Twitter) that Chicago is signing Michael Schofield. The move comes one day after he worked out with the team. 
The 31-year-old was a third-round pick of the Broncos in 2014. He was a full-time starter at right tackle, then right guard, in 2015 and 2016 (in which he earned a career-high PFF grade of 72). Despite playing a notable role on the Broncos’ Super-Bowl winning team, he was waived just ahead of the 2017 campaign.
That began his first Chargers tenure, which lasted three seasons. After making 15 appearances at tackle in 2017, he was once again a full-time starter along the interior for the next two years. He remained a consistent, if unspectacular, presence throughout that time, leading him to a one-year deal with the Panthers in 2020. He spent the summer of 2021 in Baltimore, but was cut at the end of August.
As a free agent, he headed back to the Chargers last season, with whom he made 15 appearances (including 12 starts). As a member of the team’s much-improved offensive front featuring Rashawn Slater and Corey Linsley, Schofield posted a pass-blocking grade of 75.2. Los Angeles continued their investment in protecting Justin Herbert by using their first-round pick on Zion Johnson.
In Chicago, Schofield will join a unit which lost James Daniels in free agency. The Bears attempted to land Bills guard Ryan Bates by signing him to an offer sheet, but Buffalo matched the contract. Schofield will provide a veteran presence to an offensive front very much in need of improving, as Justin Fields looks to take a step forward in his second season.