Minor NFL Transactions: 3/19/22
Today’s minor moves:
Chicago Bears
- Signed: DT Justin Jones
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: RB Mekhi Sargent
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: OL Alex Bars
Rams To Trade WR Robert Woods To Titans
With the recent addition of Allen Robinson, the hopes of brings back Odell Beckham Jr., and the emergence of Cooper Kupp as an elite receiver in the NFL, Robert Woods became a bit superfluous in the Rams’ wide receiver room. Well, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Los Angeles will be trading the veteran receiver to the Titans in exchange for a 2023 sixth-round pick. 
Woods is a true professional who is well-rounded in his game. With decent speed, Woods can break down a defense with sharp route-running, will make defenders miss after the catch, and can catch most anything thrown in his direction. He’s an unselfish teammate and a dedicated blocker.
Woods started off in Buffalo after getting drafted in the second round out of USC. He returned to Southern California as a free agent and quickly became the Rams’ number one receiver. Woods was on a three-year stretch from 2018-2020, playing the best football of his career. In 2020, he fell 64 yards short of three-straight 1,000-yard receiving seasons, totaling 3,289 yards over that span. In 2021, despite the emergence of teammates Kupp and Van Jefferson, Woods was once again on track to top 1,000 yards receiving, averaging 61.8 yards per game nine games into the season.
Unfortunately, Woods’ 2021 season was cut short when he suffered a torn ACL in a November practice. Luckily for the Rams, the day before Woods’ injury, they had signed Beckham, who was able to make up for the production lost due to Woods’ absence.
The recovery from a major injury, combined with the fact that Woods turns 30 next month, likely factors into the price the Rams were able to receive in return. Another factor is likely that Woods’ cap hit was set to balloon over the next few years of his contract, barring a restructured deal. That responsibility will now be passed on to the Titans to make Woods’ cap hit more manageable.
The Titans released receiver Julio Jones after a one-and-done season, leaving a top returning trio of A.J. Brown, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, and Chester Rogers. They addressed the lackluster passing attack by signing former Falcons’ and Browns’ tight end Austin Hooper and the addition of Woods will give the Titans three strong weapons in the passing game.
Browns To Sign QB Jacoby Brissett
Minutes after agreeing to trade Case Keenum to the Bills, the Browns tabbed his replacement. Jacoby Brissett is expected to sign with Cleveland, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. The former third-round pick agreed to a one-year deal.
Brissett backed up Tua Tagovailoa last season in Miami, but the Dolphins starter’s early-season injury opened the door for more starting opportunities for the North Carolina State alum. Given new Browns starter Deshaun Watson‘s off-field trouble, Brissett will be one of the league’s most important backups. He will almost certainly have an extended run as a starter in Cleveland, should Watson’s expected suspension hit in 2022.
[RELATED: Browns Acquire Watson From Texans]
Extended QB1 run on short notice will not be new to Brissett; such developments have essentially defined his career. The former Patriots draft pick became the Colts’ starter not long after a late-summer 2017 trade, with Andrew Luck‘s shoulder injury lingering throughout the 2017 season. Brissett started 15 games for Indianapolis that year. After Luck’s surprise late-summer 2019 retirement, Brissett again received the keys in Indy. While Brissett did not make any starts in 2020, Tagovailoa’s September injury led to a five-start season for his backup.
Leading a much better Colts team in 2019, Brissett upped his passer rating to a career-best 88.0 on 6.6 yards per attempt. While Brissett once again proved he is one of the NFL’s best backups, his Miami yards-per-attempt figure settled at just 5.7, as Jaylen Waddle racked up PPR points. Brissett, 29, did complete a career-high 62.7% of his passes with the Dolphins.
Cleveland constructed Watson’s contract around the likelihood of a 2022 suspension. With six games appearing to be the floor for a Watson ban, that will place a spotlight on Brissett, whose only start for a playoff-bound team came with the 2016 Patriots. The Browns’ polarizing trade will force them to count on Brissett for an extended stretch, perhaps to start the 2022 campaign.
Rams Extend QB Matthew Stafford
The Rams announced Saturday they have reached an extension agreement with Matthew Stafford. The sides agreed on a four-year deal, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.
Despite Aaron Rodgers and Deshaun Watson reshaping the quarterback market this month, Stafford’s new deal — four years, $160MM, per Schefter — does not push Rodgers’ for AAV or Watson’s for guarantee value. Stafford indeed becomes the latest $40MM-per-year quarterback, and although the 13-year veteran’s latest extension does not enter the Rodgers-Watson realm for AAV, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports the Los Angeles QB will collect $135MM guaranteed on this deal (Twitter link).
A closer look reveals this deal moving to $43MM per year, with Rapoport adding the pact includes additional years to help the Rams with their salary cap (Twitter link). This makes the extension, effectively, a three-year, $129MM pact. At $43MM annually, Stafford will tie Josh Allen. But Allen got to that price point by giving the Bills six true years on his extension. Stafford reaching $43MM AAV on a three-year re-up is certainly a good deal for a player who still has just one Pro Bowl on his resume. Of course, Stafford’s 2021 postseason overshadows his previous low-accolades Detroit run.
Stafford elevated the Rams to their second Super Bowl title, guiding a game-winning drive to down the Bengals. The longtime Lions starter did not miss a game in his first Rams season and played well in the playoffs. In 21 games last season, Stafford cleared 6,000 yards and threw 50 touchdown passes. The former No. 1 overall pick went from having never won a playoff game to leading his new team to four victories in one postseason, reshaping his career trajectory and putting him on course for this big-ticket extension.
When the Lions extended Stafford in 2017, his $27MM-per-year deal represented the QB high-water mark by $2MM annually. Quarterbacks’ earning potential has changed considerably in the years since; Rodgers is now attached to deal worth more than $50MM per year, while the Browns gave Watson an astonishing $230MM fully guaranteed. Stafford becomes the NFL’s sixth $40MM-per-year player. Considering where Rodgers and Watson took the market, Stafford certainly could have commanded more. This deal stands to help the Rams build around him, to some degree.
It will be interesting to see how Stafford’s cap numbers look, as the Rams have an Aaron Donald contract matter to address. The sides have engaged in discussions, and ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler adds (on Twitter) they have made progress. Donald is expected to receive a raise on his $22.5MM-per-year deal, one that has since been surpassed by several defenders.
Bills To Acquire Browns QB Case Keenum
It looks like the Browns will be making three quarterback trades this offseason. They are sending Case Keenum to the Bills in exchange for a seventh-round pick, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets.
Cleveland’s stunning Deshaun Watson deal will lead to a full-on reshaping of the team’s QB room. The Browns are expected to follow the Watson and Keenum trades with a Baker Mayfield swap. As of Saturday afternoon, Mayfield remains on the team. The disgruntled former No. 1 overall pick will be elsewhere to start the 2022 season.
[RELATED: Browns To Sign Jacoby Brissett]
The Bills lost 2021 backup Mitchell Trubisky to the Steelers in free agency. Keenum, 33, is now poised to take over as Josh Allen‘s understudy. After receiving starter work with the Vikings, Broncos and Washington from 2017-19, Keenum resettled as a backup in Cleveland, working behind Mayfield for the past two seasons. Keenum led the league in QB DVOA in 2017, piloting Minnesota to the NFC championship game, but crashed back to earth in Denver and Washington. He made two starts in Cleveland, both in 2021, with the Browns winning both games.
The Browns are bracing for a Watson suspension, which would thrust Brissett into the spotlight. Given their Watson investment, the Browns are expecting to be a Super Bowl contender soon. Keenum’s replacement will be important to those prospects, regardless if Watson’s suspension hits in 2022 or 2023.
Allen has not missed a start since his 2018 rookie season, which began with the superstar signal-caller on the bench. One season, with a $6.1MM base salary, remains on Keenum’s contract. It would not surprise to see the Bills give their new QB2 an extension to reduce his 2022 cap number.
Packers To Re-Sign Rasul Douglas
SATURDAY: Green Bay is giving Douglas a three-year deal, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (on Twitter). The former journeyman cornerback agreed to terms on a $21MM deal, with Rapoport adding it can max out at $25.5MM (Twitter link).
THURSDAY: This will not exactly compete with the previous Packers development for news value, but the team is closing in on bringing back one of its priority free agents. Rasul Douglas is expected to re-sign with the Packers, Josina Anderson of USA Today tweets.
Douglas’ second contract with the Packers is expected to go through after Davante Adams‘ $20MM franchise tag number comes off the books, per Anderson. The Packers are trading Adams to the Raiders for first- and second-round picks.
Douglas will join De’Vondre Campbell as 2021 defensive standouts re-signing with Green Bay. Despite the Packers rostering Jaire Alexander and 2021 first-round pick Eric Stokes, they were working on a Douglas extension earlier this week. Douglas hit free agency but has not been connected to other teams. The veteran revitalized his career in Green Bay, helping the NFC North champions after a late arrival.
The 27-year-old cornerback intercepted a career-high five passes, despite playing in just 12 regular-season games, and returned two for touchdowns. The former Eagles, Panthers, Raiders, Texans and Cardinals defender enjoyed a career year in coverage as well, limiting quarterbacks to a 44.5 passer rating — down from 108.5 with the Panthers in 2020 — and a 50% completion rate. Douglas helped the Packers considerably while Alexander missed time. The two are on course to play together next season.
Bills Bring Back DL Jordan Phillips
While Von Miller will be the Bills’ cornerstone front-seven player going forward, their next defensive line will involve multiple reunions. In addition to bringing back Shaq Lawson, Buffalo re-signed Jordan Phillips to a one-year contract.
Phillips enjoyed his best season with the Bills, when he registered a team-leading 9.5 sacks in 2019. That contract-year showing landed him a three-year, $30MM deal from the Cardinals. Injuries slowed the veteran defensive tackle in Arizona, leading to a release earlier this week. Phillips’ Cardinals deal not panning allowed the Bills to add another player familiar with their defensive system.
Lawson also left Buffalo in 2020, signing with the Dolphins. His journey was a bit more complicated than Phillips’, with Lawson also being with the Texans and Jets during his time away from the Bills. Phillips’ production decreased further, however, after his Buffalo departure. The injuries he dealt with in Arizona limited him to just 18 games over a two-season span.
A former Dolphins second-round pick, Phillips revived his career with the Bills previously, joining the team as a waiver claim in 2018. At this point, Phillips’ 2019 season — which also featured 16 quarterback hits, 10 more than he has recorded in any other year — looks like an outlier. But the Bills may be eyeing a rotational role for the 29-year-old D-tackle this time around.
The AFC East champs gave Tim Settle a two-year, $9MM deal to come over from Washington. Settle, Phillips and recent signee DaQuan Jones join Ed Oliver as Buffalo’s top inside D-linemen.
Titans Re-Sign RB Dontrell Hilliard
D’Onta Foreman parlayed his stint with the Titans into a deal with the Panthers, but fellow running back Dontrell Hilliard will be sticking around Tennessee. The Titans announced that they’ve re-signed the running back.
[RELATED: Panthers To Sign RB D’Onta Foreman]
The Titans had plenty of carries to go around while Derrick Henry was out of the lineup. While Foreman ended up getting the bulk of the yards, Hilliard was the one who got the bulk of the starts. Hilliard got into eight games (five starts) for Tennessee last season, finishing with 350 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 56 carries. He also added another 19 receptions for 87 yards.
Hilliard, a 2018 undrafted free agent out of Tulane, spent the first two-plus seasons of his career with the Browns, seeing time in 30 games. He was claimed off waivers by the Texans in 2020 and got into two games with them.
Henry should be good to go for the 2022 campaign, and Hilliard is currently penciled in to be his main backup. The Titans are also rostering Trenton Cannon, and the front office will surely add more RBs before training camp.
Raiders Sign QB Garrett Gilbert
Garrett Gilbert has found a new home. The quarterback is signing with the Raiders, agency Steinberg Sports announced on Twitter (and passed along by ESPN’s Field Yates on Twitter).
Gilbert had stints on the Raiders practice squad during the 2015 and 2016 seasons. The 2014 sixth-round pick has turned into a true journeyman during his eight seasons of professional football. Besides his stint in Oakland, the Texas/SMU product has had gigs with the Rams, Patriots (two stints), Lions, Panthers, Browns, Cowboys, and Washington. He also led the AAF in passing yards during his time with the Orlando Apollos.
In total, the QB has seen time in eight career games (two starts), completing 57.3 percent of his passes for 477 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He got a start for Washington in 2021.
Josh McDaniels has some familiarity with Gilbert dating back to their days in New England, and the FA addition may have an opportunity to stick around as the number-two quarterback behind Derek Carr. 2021 backup Marcus Mariota is currently a free agent.
49ers Sign S George Odum
After spending the first four seasons of his career with the Colts, George Odum is off to the NFC. The safety and special teams ace is signing with the 49ers, reports NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter). It’s a three-year deal worth $10.95MM.
“I wanted to start out by saying how grateful I am to the city of Indianapolis and the Colts organization,” Odum said in a statement on Twitter. “I wanted to thank Mr. Irsay and Ballard for giving a kid from Central Arkansas an opportunity to play in the NFL! I also wanted to thank Dodds, Reich, Flus, Allen, Bubba and many more for always believing in me and helping me grow both on and off the field! I wanted to thank each and every teammate that helped push me and help me grow over the past 4 years!”
Odum was an undrafted free agent out of Central Arkansas in 2018, and he ended up transforming into one of the best gunners in the NFL. Odum earned a first-team All-Pro nod for special teams in 2020 after leading the NFL with 21 special teams tackles.
The 28-year-old played a larger role on defense in 2021, appearing in a career-high 43 percent of his team’s defensive snaps. He saw time in 17 games (seven starts), collecting a career-high 55 tackles, one forced fumble, and one interception.