Eagles Sign UDFA QBs Carson Strong, EJ Perry
The Eagles will go into the 2022 season with Jalen Hurts under center, and perhaps Hurts will prove, in his second full season as the starting quarterback, that he is the club’s long-term answer at the position. But Philadelphia has added two intriguing UDFA passers to the QB room just the same.
Per Doug Kyed of Pro Football Focus, the Eagles are not only signing former Nevada quarterback Carson Strong, they are furnishing him with a massive (for a UDFA, anyway) $320K guarantee (Twitter link). GM Howie Roseman doubled down on undrafted signal-callers, signing former Boston College and Brown QB EJ Perry as well.
Strong, who elected to forego his senior season and enter the 2022 draft — possibly motivated by a weak collegiate class of quarterbacks — was not among the draft’s 262 selections. That is despite a tremendous run for the Wolfpack that saw him complete over 70% of his passes in the 2020 and 2021 seasons and earn Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year honors in both years. During that time, he threw for 63 touchdowns against just 12 interceptions, and his combination of arm strength and touch has been praised by scouts.
The concern with Strong is his medical chart. As Jeff Kerr of CBS Sports writes, Strong suffers from osteochondritis dissecans, a knee condition that includes cartilage problems. Strong has had multiple surgeries on the knee, so that will need to be monitored throughout his professional career, and it is expected to limit his mobility in a big way.
Still, from a pure talent perspective, the Eagles will have a great deal to work with as they attempt to develop Strong. The 6-4, 226-pounder is currently projected to compete with Reid Sinnett for the No. 3 spot on the depth chart, but he could be bumped up the pecking order if he shows promise and if Philadelphia elects to trade current QB2 Gardner Minshew. With Hurts’ future still somewhat uncertain, and with Minshew’s contract expiring at the end of the 2022 season, it’s easy to see why Strong elected to sign with the Eagles.
Perry, meanwhile, will likely be fighting for a practice squad spot unless there is a trade or injury. He earned Ivy League Player of the Year acclaim in 2021 after throwing for 3,033 yards and 23 TDs in just 10 games and adding another 402 yards and seven scores on the ground, showcasing his dual-threat capabilities.
Bears Release QB Nick Foles
After deciding to move forward with rookie quarterback Justin Fields as their starter behind center, the Bears have agreed to release Nick Foles, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. 
At 33-years-old, Foles will be searching for his sixth NFL team. He was drafted by the Eagles in the 3rd round of the 2012 NFL Draft, starting the last six games of his rookie season when then-starter Michael Vick was injured with a concussion. After an offseason competition with Vick and newly-drafted Matt Barkley, Foles entered his sophomore season as the backup, but soon took over, starting the last 10 games of the season and getting selected to the Pro Bowl after throwing 27 touchdowns versus only 2 interceptions. The following season saw Foles break his collarbone after only eight games.
Foles was traded after that season to the Rams and spent a season in there in St. Louis and the next year with the Chiefs, where he signed after briefly considering retirement. When the Chiefs declined the second-year option on his contract, he returned to Philadelphia to back up second-year quarterback Carson Wentz. Wentz was having an MVP-caliber season before tearing his ACL in a Week 14 game against the Rams. Foles stepped in and led the Eagles to a Super Bowl XXVI victory, being named MVP of the game in the process. Wentz returned to the starting job three weeks into the next season with Foles appearing again late in the year and in the playoffs, but ultimately getting defeated by the Saints.
Foles signed after that as a free agent with the Jaguars. An injury-stricken year in Jacksonville led them to trade him to Chicago. Foles replaced a struggling Mitchell Trubisky as starter during his first year before suffering a rough hip injury that took him out of action. Foles was slotted in as the third-string quarterback for most of the 2021 season behind Fields and back up Andy Dalton. Foles did appear for one start in their absences, though, showing his usual heroics with a late game-winning touchdown to Jimmy Graham to win by one point.
Without Foles the Bears will roster Fields, Trevor Siemian, and Ryan Willis. The Bears had been seeking a trade partner for Foles, but, in a brilliant show of class, the team’s new regime wanted to allow Foles the opportunity to find his next home on his own.
Rams To Acquire Troy Hill From Browns
The Rams are bringing back corner Troy Hill, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. They’re reacquiring him from the Browns. Los Angeles will give up a fifth-round pick in 2023, the Rams announced.
The 30-year-old Hill started his career as a Bengal in 2015, but he then spent six seasons as a Ram before signing a four-year, $24MM contract with the Browns entering last season. Hill ended up appearing in 12 games and making four starts as a Brown in 2021, but he didn’t record an interception after picking off a career-high three passes the previous year.
Hill had his greatest success as a Ram to this point, and he’ll reunite with the reigning Super Bowl champions. He’ll join Jalen Ramsey and Jordan Fuller near the top of their CB depth chart in 2022.
Commanders Draft Sam Howell At No. 144
This draft’s slow-paced approach with non-Kenny Pickett quarterbacks affected Sam Howell, whose wait lasted well into Day 3. The Commanders stopped the skid.
Washington led off the fifth round by taking the North Carolina passer at No. 144. Howell is this draft’s sixth QB selected, coming in behind Pickett, Desmond Ridder, Malik Willis, Matt Corral and Bailey Zappe.
Although Howell waited much longer to hear his name called than expected, he lands in an interesting place. The Commanders took on Carson Wentz‘s full salary in their trade with the Colts, but the twice-traded quarterback is a year-to-year proposition. Wentz is on Washington’s books at $28.3MM this year, with $22MM of that figure being guaranteed. None of Wentz’s money over the next two years is guaranteed.
While the prospect of Howell becoming a starter is jumping the gun, as there are currently no fifth-round QBs penciled in as their teams’ starters, the Commanders have started five Week 1 QBs in the past six years. Wentz will become No. 6, with the former North Carolina passer set to develop behind he and Taylor Heinicke. The latter’s contract runs through 2022.
The Giants were also linked to Howell, viewing him as a possible late-Day 2 addition. ESPN rated the 6-foot Howell as its No. 50 overall prospect. But teams’ collective views on this quarterback class checked in even lower than the public’s, allowing for other positional attention as QBs slid. Howell was once viewed as a potential first-round pick. He exited his sophomore year with a 68-to-14 touchdown pass-to-interception ratio, playing with the likes of Javonte Williams, Michael Carter, Dazz Newsome and Dyami Brown. Howell and Brown are now reunited in Washington, which used a third-round pick on the wideout last year.
Without those players last season, Howell’s stock fell a bit. Although, he still entered the draft after his junior year. He was viewed as a likely Day 2 selection, behind the bulk of the aforementioned passers. Zappe going in front of the ex-Tar Heel was somewhat surprising, given their pre-draft stocks, but Howell may have landed in a better spot for potential playing time down the road.
Patriots Trade Up To No. 50, Select WR Tyquan Thornton
After one of the most curious picks in the first round last night, the Patriots have moved up to No. 50. With it, they are picking WR Tyquan Thornton. Kansas City, meanwhile, receives picks 54 and 158.
Thornton played four seasons at Baylor, with two productive seasons in 2019 and 2021. Overall, he posted a career total of 143 receptions, 2,242 yards and 19 touchdowns – including 10 last year.
At six-foot-three, he provides good size at the position. Despite that, it is his speed for which he is most well-known. Thornton ran 4.28 40-yard dash at the Combine, showcasing the vertical threat he figures to be at the NFL level. While their styles differ, the addition of Thornton could further point to former first-rounder N’Keal Harry being on his way out of New England.
For Kansas City, this selection marks yet another wideout off the board in the top 50 selections. The team opted not to add a receiver with their pair of first-rounders last night, leaving many to expect them to target one on Day 2. While they still could do so, their trade down has shortened the list of available options.
Jets Acquire 36th Pick From Giants, Select Breece Hall
The Jets have acquired the 36th pick in the draft from the Giants in exchange for the 38th and 146th selections, Field Yates of ESPN was among those to report. The Jets chose Iowa State running back Breece Hall with their pick.
In Hall, the Jets are getting one of the most explosive backs in this year’s draft. The 6-foot-1, 220-pounder averaged 5.5 yards per carry during his college career, piled up nearly 4,000 yards on 718 attempts, and is coming off back-to-back seasons with 20 or more rushing touchdowns. He’ll complement Michael Carter as a Jet.
The Giants, meanwhile, acquired an extra pick from a local rival just to move down two spots. They’ve already added Kayvon Thibodeaux and Evan Neal in this draft.
Jaguars Sign Ross Matiscik To Extension
The Jaguars have signed long snapper Ross Matiscik to a contract extension, per Josh Alper of PFT. Matiscik ended up getting a five-year extension worth $5.965MM, per ESPN’s Field Yates (on Twitter). The deal includes a $550K signing bonus. The extension will keep the key special teamer in Jacksonville through the 2026 season.
Jacksonville signed Matiscik, now 25, as an undrafted free agent out of Baylor heading into the 2020 season. He has since appeared in 33 straight games as the Jags’ long snapper.
Bengals Exercise Jonah Williams’ Fifth-Year Option
The Bengals have exercised left tackle Jonah Williams‘ fifth-year option, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. As a result, Williams will remain under Bengals control through the 2023 season.
Although he was the 11th overall pick of the 2019 draft, Williams didn’t play as a rookie because of left shoulder problems. However, the former Alabama standout has since developed into a key member of the Bengals’ offensive line. Williams has started in all 26 of his appearances, including 16 last season for the AFC champions.
While Cincinnati could work out an extension with quarterback Joe Burrow‘s blindside protector sometime soon, the club currently doesn’t have to worry about losing Williams for at least another couple of years. Williams, 24, is due to earn $12.6MM in 2023 under his option.
Packers Pick Up Fifth-Year Options On Rashan Gary, Darnell Savage
For the second time in three years, the Packers used two first-round picks to bolster their defense. Quay Walker and Devonte Wyatt will join 2019 first-rounders Rashan Gary and Darnell Savage. The Georgia products are in line to join the 2019 draftees for multiple seasons.
The Packers are picking up the fifth-year options on Gary and Savage, per ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler and Rob Demovsky (Twitter links). Despite Gary qualifying for a lower-tier option on the new four-tier hierarchy, his 2023 price tag comes in much higher than Savage’s due to positional value. The former Michigan pass rusher will be tied to a $10.89MM salary next year. A three-year Packers starter eligible for the Tier 3 option price, Savage is now attached to a $7.9MM 2023 salary.
Gary’s increased 2021 playing time did not lead to his option cost climbing, due to the 2019 and ’20 seasons he spent largely as a backup behind Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith. The Packers broke up their edge-rushing Smith tandem this offseason, cutting Za’Darius to leave Gary a clear path to a starting role. The 2019 No. 12 overall pick impressed in his first extended run as a starter, registering 9.5 sacks and 28 QB hits. During a season in which Za’Darius Smith missed 16 games, Gary became a key part of Green Bay’s defensive future.
Green Bay traded out of the 2018 first round, allowing New Orleans to select Marcus Davenport. This gave the Packers a 2019 first, which became Savage after the Packers traded up to No. 21 with the Seahawks. Savage became a Day 1 starter in Green Bay. He has started all 46 games he’s played — including 17 last season — to help the Packers to three consecutive playoff byes. While Pro Football Focus viewed Savage’s 2021 as a step back from his 2020 showing, the Maryland alum’s lower option price allowed for a sensible pickup.
Saints WR Deonte Harris Signs RFA Tender
It wasn’t the biggest wide receiver news of the night, but on Thursday Deonte Harris signed his RFA tender to remain with the Saints (Twitter link via ESPN’s Field Yates). The 24-year-old will stay in New Orleans for at least one more season. 
[RELATED: Saints Move Up To No. 11, Select WR Olave]
Harris made an impact at the start of his career as the team’s primary returner. In 2019, he averaged 26.8 yards on kickoffs; he also led the league in punt returns (36) and yards (338), running one back for a touchdown. His special teams prowess earned him Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors, and has remained a staple of his game.
Given the state of the team’s WR corps this season, though, Harris took on a much larger offensive role. In the absence of Michael Thomas, he became a key figure in the Saint’s passing game. Despite only starting one of 13 games, he totalled 36 catches for 570 yards and three touchdowns. Not surprisingly, given his speed, he averaged an impressive 15.8 yards per reception. His offensive totals would have been higher if not for a three-game suspension he served in December for a DWI arrest.
Given that Harris was offered a second-round tender, he will earn just under $4MM in 2022. He may revert more towards his more familiar special teams role given the expected return of Thomas and the team’s addition of Chris Olave last night. If not, though, he has proven an ability to be at least a complimentary piece in the receiving corps.