Chiefs To Sign JuJu Smith-Schuster
After long being linked to one another, a deal has reportedly been made between the Chiefs and wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster. According to ESPN’s Field Yates, he is signing a one-year, $10.75MM contract (Twitter link). NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo adds that the deal carries a base value of $3MM, with the remainder being available through incentives (Twitter link). 
The 25-year-old has spent his entire five-year career with the Steelers. A second round pick, he established himself as the ultimate compliment to Antonio Brown during his rookie season, posting 58 catches for 917 yards and seven touchdowns. He took a step further the following campaign, totalling 111 receptions for 1,426 yards and another seven scores. That production earned him a Pro Bowl nod.
He failed to match those totals in the proceeding three years, however. Taking on an increased role in Brown’s absence, he has still put up noteworthy totals, but has generated a reputation as being best suited to a secondary workload. He played in just five games in 2021, totalling 15 catches.
On Kansas City, he certainly won’t need to be the focal point of the offense. The team already has All-Pro pass catchers in Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill, but they have made it clear adding a third piece to compliment them was a priority. The Chiefs were named as a serious contender for Smith-Schuster last offseason, who ultimately chose to remain in the Steel City on a one-year pact to play his way into a new, more lucrative deal.
While this contract is also only one year in length, it is still a raise compared to the $8MM he earned in 2021. With the likes of Allen Robinson, Davante Adams and Chris Godwin off the market, the USC product was one of the top remaining options at the position. Now, he will join a team long interested in acquiring him, and which is likely to remain a Super Bowl contender.
Browns Expected To Acquire Deshaun Watson
In a stunning turn of events, the Browns seem to have emerged as the winners of the Deshaun Watson sweepstakes. He has changed course and is now willing to waive his no-trade clause to come to Cleveland. A new deal appears to be place confirming that he will now be the starting quarterback of the Browns (Twitter link via NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport). 
Rapoport details that Watson’s new contract is for five years and a fully guaranteed $230MM. That would shatter the previous record for guaranteed compensation by a margin of $80MM. In a follow-up, he notes that his 2022 base salary is only $1MM, something agreed upon due to the likelihood of a suspension. Watson was set to earn $35MM in 2022 on his previous deal, which ran until 2026.
Rapoport confirms that the trade is a done deal (Twitter link). The Browns are sending Houston three first round picks, as well as a third-rounder. The teams are also swapping fourth and fifth round selections. His colleague James Palmer adds that the Falcons thought they were “very close” to landing Watson, a Georgia native (Twitter link). However, late in contract talks his asking price became too high. The same is reportedly true for the Panthers, per Mike Garafolo (on Twitter).
Texans general manager Nick Caserio released a statement which reads in part, “I felt [the trade] was the right move for our organization as we head into the new league year… Our priority right now is adding talented players to the foundation we have already put in place… and this trade supports that plan” (Twitter link via ESPN’s Adam Schefter). Owner Cal McNair adds that he is “extremely proud” of Caserio’s handling of the situation.
Watson was reportedly torn on his decision, which was said to be down to Atlanta and New Orleans as recently as last night. That had come out after the Browns were thought to be eliminated from contention even earlier, albeit not because Watson had felt anything but flattered by his meetings with Cleveland’s front office. Now, as a result of the team’s commitment to meet the Texans at their stated trade price, and invest more in Watson with regards to a contract than any other suitor, he will be headed to Ohio.
Not surprisingly, Rapoport adds that Baker Mayfield is not part of the trade (Twitter link). It had been reported earlier that his preference was not Houston. Despite the team’s stated intention of denying his trade request made as a result of the their attempt to replace him, the Browns are now “expected” to move Mayfield, per Rapoport.
The Watson acquisition represents the second significant move made by the Browns to upgrade their offense. They traded for Pro Bowl receiver Amari Cooper to lead their passing game, something which stands to be drastically improved with these two new pieces.
While many have noted that the Browns and Texans are scheduled to play each other in 2022, it remains to be seen if Watson will face league discipline as a result of the ongoing sexual misconduct allegations made against him. As for the rest of the quarterback market, Mayfield joins Jimmy Garoppolo as the other signal-caller thought to be destined for a new home. Jameis Winston, meanwhile, remains one of the top free agents; this news could further point to him remaining in New Orleans. The same may very well be true of Matt Ryan in Atlanta.
Panthers Sign DJ Moore To Extension
The Panthers are keeping one of the key pieces to their offense around for the foreseeable future. Wide receiver DJ Moore has signed an extension, the team announced. 
Moore was set to play on the fifth-year option of his rookie contract. As ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports (on Twitter), the contract includes three years and $61.884MM in new money. He adds that $41.61MM is guaranteed. As a result of this extension, he is on the books for the next four years at a total of $73MM.
Moore was the top receiver taken in the 2018 Draft, when Carolina selected him 24th overall. He produced 55 catches for 788 yards and two touchdowns in his rookie season. In the three years after that, he has recorded no fewer than 1,157 yards, (something only Stefon Diggs has also done during that span) operating as the most consistent pass-catching option in the team’s offense. He has 301 receptions and 14 touchdowns in his career. The fact that he was the Panthers’ Walter Payton Man of the Year finalist in 2021 would have only helped the team’s perception of him, and their willingness to make such a commitment.
The 24-year-old was set to earn $11.1MM on the option, but this extension certainly represents a raise. At an average of just over $20.6MM, the new deal will make Moore the sixth wideout to eclipse the $20MM-per-season plateau. The extended stay in Charlotte will also give him an opportunity to continue climbing the franchise ranks in terms of catches (where he sits sixth) and yards (fourth).
Patriots Expected To Re-Sign Ja’Whaun Bentley
Ja’Whaun Bentley is back in New England. The linebacker is on the verge of a brand new deal to remain with the Patriots (Twitter link via Field Yates and Mike Reiss of ESPN.com). 
[RELATED: Patriots To Sign Montgomery]
Bentley recorded 108 tackles last year to lead all Patriots defenders. There was little doubt that the Pats wanted him to return for 2022, but there was also concern that he had played his way out of town.
The 25-year-old had clearly outperformed his rookie deal, a paltry four-year, $2.8MM contract for his fifth-round slot. Meanwhile, the Patriots have cut Kyle Van Noy and they could potentially lose Dont’a Hightower and Jamie Collins to free agency.
Bentley will be joined by new faces in the LB group, including the recently acquired Mack Wilson. There should be plenty more moves on the way, too, regardless of how things shake out with the Pats’ veteran free agents.
Bills To Release Star Lotulelei
The Bills are cutting Star Lotulelei (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo). The two sides were discussing a revamped contract that would have enabled him to return, but all parties agreed that a fresh start would be best. 
Lotulelei, 33 in December, was in the midst of the five-year, $50MM deal he signed in 2018. He exercised his right to opt out of the 2020 season due to COVID concerns, which tolled his contract and would have had him under Buffalo’s control through 2023.
The eight-year veteran had three sacks in 2021, bringing his career total to 16.5. He’s been a quality disruptor in the past, particularly with the Panthers, but the advanced metrics at Pro Football Focus haven’t been high on his work in quite some time. This past year, Lotulelei graded as Bills’ lowest performing run defender on the D-Line.
Lotulelei was slated to carry a $9.2MM cap charge this year. Instead, the Bills will save at least $1.5MM against the cap by cutting him. They could also choose to save $4.1MM this year if they use the post-June 1 designation.
All in all, Lotulelei leaves Buffalo after 43 appearances (40 starts) with five sacks, one interception, and 53 tackles.
Bears Nix Larry Ogunjobi Deal
The Bears announced that they have called off their agreement with defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi. Per the club’s press release, Ogunjobi failed his physical. 
“As I said before, Larry Ogunjobi embodies everything we are looking for in a Bear,” GM Ryan Poles said in a statement. “He is a special person and player. During the league’s negotiating window earlier this week, we agreed to terms with him, subject to him passing a physical here. After a standard and thorough physical and medical review with Larry yesterday afternoon, our medical team deemed him to have failed his physical and, therefore, unfortunately, we are not signing him today. This is difficult and it is emotional for everyone involved, but ultimately is what is in the best interest of protecting the Chicago Bears.”
The contract was set to be worth $40.5MM over three years, with $26.35MM guaranteed. It was to be a huge pay bump for the 27-year-old (28 in June), but he’ll now have to find his next contract elsewhere.
Ogunjobi spent his first four seasons with the Browns before moving on to the Bengals last year. In 2021, he notched 49 tackles and seven sacks in 16 games. The investment in Ogunjobi – along with the likes of Trey Hendrickson and Chidobe Awuzie – paid off as the Bengals won the AFC North for the first time since 2015.
Unfortunately, his season was brought to a halt with a right foot injury before the divisional round. That same foot injury seems to have cost him his contract with Chicago.
With the ex-Bengal ruled out, the Bears have agreed to sign former Chargers defensive tackle Justin Jones (Twitter link via Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com). Jones, who graded out as a top-40 interior defensive lineman in 2020 per Pro Football Focus, will join the Bears on a two-year deal.
Cowboys To Re-Sign Leighton Vander Esch
The Cowboys are keeping Leighton Vander Esch. On Friday, the linebacker agreed to a brand new one-year deal (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). It’s a one-year, $2MM pact, Albert Breer of SI.com tweets.
[RELATED: Cowboys Re-Sign Armstrong]
LVE was a first-round pick of the Cowboys in 2018, but they declined to pick up his fifth-year option. That put him on course for free agency this week, though the Cowboys were still interested in bringing him back — just at a lower rate.
Vander Esch made the Pro Bowl and the second-team All-Pro team as a rookie in 2018. That year, the No. 19 overall pick notched 140 tackles, seven passes defended, and two interceptions. But, in 2020, he finished with just 60 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, and zero passes defended in ten contests. This past season, he notched 77 stops, one sack, and one interception, showing that he still has something to offer as a coverage linebacker.
This year, LVE will try to reassert himself in the Cowboys’ pecking order. After playing on more than 75% of the snaps in his first two years, Vander Esch dropped to 67% in 2020 and just 58% of snaps in 2021.
Vikings Restructure Adam Thielen’s Deal
Adam Thielen is staying put. On Friday, the wide receiver agreed to restructure his deal in order to remain with the Vikings, according to a tweet from his agency. 
The Vikings entered the offseason with one of the worst cap situations in the league and Thielen was viewed as a potential cap casualty. The two-time Pro Bowler was set to carry a $16.8MM cap hit this year. The Vikings could have released him to save $5.7MM against $11.1MM in dead money, or spread that dead money hit over the next two seasons via the post-June 1 designation. Ultimately, the Vikings wanted to keep the wide receiver – they just needed a little bit of cooperation on his part.
Thielen, 32 in August, registered 67 receptions for 726 yards and ten touchdowns in just 13 games last year. While it was a solid showing, it was something of a down year by his standards. Between his 2017 and 2018 Pro Bowl campaigns, Thielen averaged upwards of 1,300 yards per slate.
Thielen’s restructured contract includes $18MM guaranteed with a raise to $14.4MM in 2022 (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero). Meanwhile, for salary cap purposes, a void year has been added to the deal.
While Thielen is staying in Minnesota, the same can’t be said for cornerback Mackensie Alexander.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/18/22
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Re-Signed: LB Ezekiel Turner
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: LB Marquel Lee
Dallas Cowboys
- Re-Signed: LB Luke Gifford
Denver Broncos
- Re-Signed: DL DeShawn Williams
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: RB Ameer Abdullah
Miami Dolphins
- Re-Signed: TE Durham Smythe
New York Giants
- Signed: OL Jamil Douglas
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: KR/PR Gunner Olszewski
Seattle Seahawks
- Re-Signed: OL Kyle Fuller
Bucs To Sign Logan Ryan
The Buccaneers are rolling out the pewter carpet for Tom Brady. On Friday, the Bucs agreed to sign defensive back and former Brady teammate Logan Ryan, according to sources who spoke with NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (Twitter link). 
Ryan was released by the Giants on Thursday, bringing his three-year, $31MM deal to an early end. The 31-year-old wasn’t a fit for the new regime, but he was still productive last year as he notched 117 tackles, two tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and eight passes defensed across 15 games.
The veteran first made his name in New England, where he spent four seasons with Brady and the Pats. Along the way, he won two Super Bowls and positioned himself for a three-year, $30MM deal with the Titans. He enjoyed one of his most productive seasons in 2019, setting career-highs in tackles (113), passes defended (18), sacks (4.5), and forced fumbles (four), but the Titans didn’t want him back. That led him to the Giants, where he switched to safety and notched 200+ tackles over two seasons.
The terms of the deal are not yet known, but Ryan is still set to collect $5.5MM from the Giants this year, so the Bucs probably didn’t have to break the bank for him.