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.
Panthers Sign Rookie QB Matt Corral, Finalize Draft Class
The Panthers are the latest team to come to terms with one of the few remaining unsigned rookies around the league. Carolina has signed third-round quarterback Matt Corral, per a team announcement. 
Corral took over as the starter at Ole Miss in 2019, but it was during the two subsequent seasons that he boosted his draft stock considerably. During those campaigns, he threw for a combined 6,670 yards with a completion percentage of 69.5% and a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 49:18. Showcasing his rushing ability, he added 1,103 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground.
Those totals helped the Rebels to a 10-3 season, and led to Corral finishing seventh in Heisman voting in 2021. Concerns about his frame (six-foot-one, 205 pounds) and ability to adapt to a more complex NFL scheme led to him being viewed as a Day 2 pick, as several other members of this year’s underwhelming QB class were. After Desmond Ridder and Malik Willis taken in the third round, the Panthers traded up to select Corral.
Since then, the Panthers have, of course, added Baker Mayfield to their QB room. The team intends to keep both he and Sam Darnold on the roster, so 2022 will be seen as a redshirt season for Corral. If he develops over time, he could provide the team with at least a long-term backup at a position which has been in flux for several years.
With Corral signed, here is the final breakdown of the Panthers’ 2022 class:
Round 1: No. 6 Ikem Ekwonu, OL (NC State) (signed)
Round 3: No. 94 (from Chiefs through Patriots) Matt Corral, QB (Ole Miss)
Round 4: No. 120 (from Commanders through Saints) Brandon Smith, LB (Penn State) (signed)
Round 6: No. 189 (from Commanders) Amare Barno, Edge (Virginia Tech) (signed)
Round 6: No. 199 (from Raiders) Cade Mays, OG (Tennessee) (signed)
Round 7: No. 242 (from Patriots through Dolphins) Kalon Barnes, CB (Baylor) (signed)
Bills Sign OL Jordan Simmons
Jordan Simmons is on the move in free agency once again. The veteran lineman is signing a one-year deal with the Bills, per a team announcement. 
Simmons, 28, began his career with the Raiders, signing with them as a UDFA in 2017. It was with the Seahawks the following year that he made his debut, however, starting three of the six games he appeared in. The USC product missed all of 2019 due to injury, but Seattle kept him in the fold for the 2020 season, in which he played in 14 contests (six starts).
Last season, the six-foot-four, 339-pounder returned to the Raiders, eyeing a 53-man roster spot while on the Seahawks’ practice squad. He ended playing just 40 total snaps across five games, though, so it comes as little surprise that Vegas has moved on from him. Simmons’ career-best PFF grade is 58.7, which he set in 2018.
In Buffalo, he will provide insurance along the interior of the line, something the Bills now need after projected starting left guard Rodger Saffold was placed on the NFI list as a result of injuries suffered in a car crash. The team worked out Jamil Demby yesterday (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network), but is now turning its attention to Simmons. It is unclear at this point how long Saffold will be sidelined for, so at this point Simmons simply represents a depth addition for training camp.
Rams Make Adjustments To Original PUP Assignments
JULY 24: After originally announcing some PUP moves on their website Friday night, the Rams have made a couple of adjustments to the list before it becomes final on Tuesday.
Head coach Sean McVay informed reporters that the team “decided to pivot and not place (cornerback) Jalen Ramsey on the PUP list,” according to ESPN’s Sarah Barshop. McVay conveyed that the team doctors had been able to clear Ramsey to participate in “above the neck” drills in camp. Ramsey would not have been allowed to work in such drills if he were placed on PUP.
Linebacker Travin Howard is also not going to be placed on the PUP list, but, unfortunately, will still be placed on the team’s non-football injury list, according to Josh Alper of NBC Sports. The change in placement is due to the disclosure of information that Howard’s injury occurred in workouts leading up to camp. Howard will see a core muscle specialist in Philadelphia this week for surgery with hopes of being ready by the start of the regular season.
Lastly, the Rams added one more player to the PUP list in addition to Lake and Williams (who were originally reported below). Wide receiver Warren Jackson will join the two as physically unable to perform, according to Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network.
JULY 23: The Rams have placed four players on the physically unable to perform list. According to the team’s website, defensive back Jalen Ramsey, linebacker Travin Howard, safety Quentin Lake, and running back Kyren Williams were all placed on PUP.
Ramsey played all of last season with tears in both shoulders, leading to an offseason operation. It’s only been a month since the defensive back decided to go under the knife, so he was always expected to be limited for the early parts of training camp. As head coach Sean McVay told reporters, the team is mostly focused on having Ramsey on the field for the start of the regular season.
“The thing with Jalen is, you want to see what the timetable is, because there are some parameters where you lose the ability to do certain things you might want to, but that’s definitely going to be a topic [Vice President, Sports Medicine and Performance Reggie Scott and I] will discuss this afternoon,” McVay said (via the team’s website). “But he’s doing good. He’s been attacking the rehab the right way. He’s feeling good. When we did do that surgery on him, obviously most importantly was how he felt about it, but then with the goal in mind of, alright, attack the rehab the right way, and most importantly, be ready for Sept. 8, ready to go. So we’ll be smart about that progress for him.”
Ramsey had another incredible season in 2021, culminating in him earning a Super Bowl ring. He finished the regular season with 77 tackles, 16 passes defended, and four interceptions in 16 games, with Pro Football Focus grading him as the top CB in the NFL. The performance also earned him his fifth Pro Bowl nod and third first-team All-Pro recognition. Ramsey started each of the Rams four playoff contests, collecting another 13 tackles.
Howard, who has mostly played a special teams role since joining the Rams, pulled his groin was training on his own. Williams, a rookie fifth-round pick, is still recovering from a broken foot suffered during offseason programs, but he’s expected to return to the field before the end of training camp. It’s uncertain what injury Lake is dealing with. The UCLA product was a sixth-round pick in this year’s draft.
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/24/22
Here are today’s minor moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Placed on NFI list: WR Devon Williams
Houston Texans
- Placed on NFI list: WR John Metchie III (story)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: QB Kyle Sloter.
- Waived (with non-football injury designation): QB E.J. Perry
Sloter just took a visit with the Jaguars on Saturday, and he did enough to land a contract. He has been a member of a number of NFL practice squads since signing with the Broncos as a UDFA in 2017, but he has yet to appear in a regular season NFL game. In nine starts for the USFL’s New Orleans Breakers in 2022, he was not especially impressive, completing 57.7% of his passes for 1,798 yards while throwing only nine touchdowns against 11 interceptions. With three other QBs on the Jacksonville roster, Sloter appears to be simply replacing Perry as a camp body at this point.