Contract Details: Johnson, Penny, White, Okoronkwo, Lewis
Here are some more contract details on deals recently reached around the NFL:
- Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, DE (Browns): Three years, $19MM. The deal, according to Wilson, includes a guaranteed amount of $12.49MM, $10.83MM of which is guaranteed at signing. That $10.83MM consists of a $5.5MM signing bonus, Okoronkwo’s 2023 base salary of $1.08MM, and his 2024 option bonus of $4.25MM. The remaining $1.66MM of guaranteed money is Okoronkwo’s 2024 base salary, which becomes fully guaranteed on the third league day of the 2024 league year. He also can receive a 2025 option bonus of $3.23MM. The deal includes a $3MM sack incentive and an All-Pro base salary escalator. The team built a potential out into the deal that allows them to release Okoronkwo after 2024 with $6.7MM of dead money but $17.45MM of cap savings over the following five years, four of which are void years in the contract.
- Mike White, QB (Dolphins): Two years, $8MM. The contract, according to Doug Kyed of AtoZ Sports, includes a guaranteed amount of $4.5MM consisting of a $3.42MM signing bonus and White’s first year base salary of $1.08MM. His second year base salary is worth $3.5MM. The deal includes up to $4MM apiece in playing time and team achievement incentives that up the contract’s maximum value to $16MM.
- Danny Johnson, CB (Commanders): Two years, $5MM. The contract, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2, includes a guaranteed amount of $2.75MM consisting of a $1.75MM signing bonus and $1MM of Johnson’s first year base salary (worth $1.25MM total). His second year base salary is worth $1.49MM. The deal includes a $1MM annual playing time incentive and a per game active roster bonus of $15,000 for a potential season total of $255,000.
- Tyquan Lewis, DE (Colts): One year, $2.1MM. The deal, according to Wilson, includes a guaranteed amount of $500,000 from the base salary worth a total of $1.08MM. The contract includes incentives worth up to $1.25MM for sacks, playing time, and playoffs, as well as a per game active roster bonus of $60,000 for a potential season total of $1.02MM.
- Rashaad Penny, RB (Eagles): One year, $1.35MM. The deal, according to Wilson, has a guaranteed amount of $600,000 composed of a $100,000 signing bonus and $500,000 of the base salary (worth $1.08MM total). The deal includes a rushing yards incentive worth up to $750,000 and a per game active roster bonus of $10,000 for a potential season total of $170,000.
Latest On Commanders Bidders, Potential Sale Timeline
With the NFL’s owners’ meetings approaching, attention is increasingly being turned to the potential sale of the Commanders. The shortlist of bidders in the running to purchase the embattled franchise appeared to be set, but a few notable changes have become clear in recent days.
Josh Harris’ bid has gained a noteworthy and familiar ally in the form of Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson. The NBA legend has joined the Harris group, as first reported by Sportico’s Scott Soshnick and Eben Novy-Williams. It is unclear at this point how much capital Johnson could be contributing, but he has a long history of becoming a minority in other pro sports franchises. 
The 63-year-old has a stake in the Los Angeles Dodgers, WNBA’s LA Sparks, as well as Major League Soccer club LAFC. Last offseason, Johnson became a part of Harris’ ownership group attempting to purchase the Broncos, which ultimately came up short on that occasion. The pair will now partner once again in their latest effort to join the NFL’s ownership ranks, though they will be facing increased competition.
Canadian billionaire Steve Apostolopoulos has joined the list of interested suitors to tour the Commanders’ facility and emerge as potential new owners, per ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, Adam Schefter and John Keim. That makes him the third known bidder, along with Harris and Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta, who was identified last month as one of the finalists to purchase the team.
The ESPN reports notes that Apostolopoulos, a Harvard graduate whose personal net worth sits at an estimated $3.9B, had shown an interested in purchasing the Charlotte Hornets. Instead, he has now turned his attention to the NFL, and the possibility of being involved in what is expected to be another record-shattering sale in terms of total price if the Commanders are sold in full.
Lurking over this ongoing process, of course, is Jeff Bezos. The Amazon founder has long been considered the top name to watch amongst potential bidders, given his immense wealth and proximity to the franchise as owner of the Washington Post. The latter factor, along with the personal tension it has caused between Bezos and Commanders owner Dan Snyder, however, has been named as the top reason why Bezos has reportedly been blocked from participating in the bidding process to date.
As Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports tweets, though, many around the league still believe “it’s only a matter of time” before Bezos submits a bid the other suitors cannot compete with at the eleventh hour to secure ownership of the Commanders. For now, at least, he remains on the sidelines with respect to potential new owners, however.
The upcoming league summit has been floated as a time for a sale to become finalized, since it would require approval from the NFL’s other owners to earn ratification. While Snyder’s recent actions have led to reports of a sale being imminent, it might not be in place in time to be finalized by the end of the month, according to Nicki Jhabvala Mark Maske and Liz Clarke of the Washington Post. They nevertheless reiterate that Snyder is expected to sell “in the coming weeks or months,” so a resolution to this saga could be on the horizon.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/23/23
Thursday’s minor moves around the league:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: LB Josh Woods
Chicago Bears
- Signed: LB Dylan Cole
Denver Broncos
- Signed: RB Tony Jones Jr.
New Orleans Saints
- Re-signed: CB Isaac Yiadom
New York Giants
- Signed: TE Tommy Sweeney
Washington Commanders
- Signed: T Trent Scott
Woods and Cole both served as special teams contributors to start their careers. The former is making his first move outside the NFC North, having previously played for the Bears and Lions. Likewise, the latter is set for his first stint with a non-AFC South squad, after beginning his career with the Texans and Titans. They each bring considerable third phase experience to their new teams.
Sweeny, 27, is making the New York-to-Buffalo trek several have made before him recently. He will reunite with Giants head coach Brian Daboll, who served as the Bills’ offensive coordinator during their time together in Buffalo. Sweeny served in a backup role during each of his three heathy seasons to start his career, making a total of 18 catches for 165 yards and a touchdown. He will look to continue operating as a secondary option at the position in New York under Daboll as the Giants incorporate Pro Bowler Darren Waller into their new-look offense.
Commanders To Host LB Anthony Walker
Anthony Walker could be close to finding a third NFL employer. The veteran linebacker is conducting a free agent visit with the Commanders today, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter (Twitter link). 
Walker began his career with the Colts, taking on a starting role in his second season. His play in Indianapolis earned him a deal with the Browns in 2021, one which proved to be a worthwhile investment. The former fifth-rounder totaled 113 tackles in his debut Cleveland season, the third time in his career he eclipsed 100 stops in a campaign. His production led to another one-year contract last March.
However, the 27-year-old suffered a season-ending quadriceps injury only three weeks into the 2022 season. That made him one of many Browns linebackers to spend considerable time on the shelf, something which contributed to the team’s defensive struggles and their re-tooling on that side of the ball this offseason. That effort has included a number of outside additions, but also a new one-year deal for fellow veteran ‘backer Sione Takitaki.
With the latter – along with Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and others – in the fold for Cleveland, Walker is unsurprisingly exploring other options. That has led him to today’s visit in the nation’s capital, and the potential to find a new home. When healthy, Walker is capable of handling starting duties, with his skillset being suited better to run defense than production in the passing game. That, coupled with his injury, is likely to tamper his market in the second wave of free agency.
The Commanders have retained several incumbent linebackers so far in free agency, including depth options David Mayo and Khaleke Hudson. They lost Cole Holcomb to the Steelers, but have added former Seahawk Cody Barton as a replacement starter. Walker would look to carve out a role within their LB room if a deal were to materialize in the near future, one which could add experience to Washington’s defense and allow him to prove his continued worth upon returning to full health.
Latest On Potential Commanders Sale
As the March league owners’ meetings draw closer, the sense around the NFL continues to build that Dan Snyder‘s time as owner of the Commanders is coming to an end. His departure – either through a sale or an unprecedented vote forcing him out of his position – could be hinted at by the team’s recent financial decisions. 
The Commanders have delayed the payouts of signing bonuses on their recent player contracts, as detailed by Ben Standig of The Athletic (subscription required). Typically, teams arrange contracts so that the first installment of sizeable payouts are scheduled to be doled out within a few weeks of the contracts becoming official. As Standig notes, Washington has followed this standard practice with deals signed in previous offseasons, including left tackle Trent Williams, defensive tackle Jonathan Allen and wideout Terry McLaurin.
However, the team’s monster extension with Daron Payne, which was signed not long after they applied the franchise tag on him, calls for his first signing bonus payment to be delayed until May 12, per Standig. That date marks exactly two months after the deal was agreed to, and, more notably, is likely to come after a new ownership group is in place to take on the Commanders’ financial responsibilities, including payroll. The same holds true for Washington’s deals with right tackle Andrew Wylie and quarterback Jacoby Brissett.
“Relative to their prior contract precedents, it would seem that they have intentionally delayed the first installment of their signing bonuses,” one former team employee said in an observation of the situation. “[It’s] very plausible that it’s related to the expected timeline of a sale… I think the payout dates are fairly telling.”
The possibility of a vote forcing Snyder out was a talking point during the 2022 season, with Colts owner Jim Irsay noting in October how such a move was on the table. Bidding on the embattled franchise has since taken place, with a shortlist of fellow pro sports owners Josh Harris and Tilman Fertitta being named as potential finalists. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos remains connected to a potential purchase, though reports have pointed to him not being allowed to participate in any hypothetical sales process.
Adding to the recent report that a Commander sale is imminent, NBC Sports’ JP Finlay tweets that the situation now metaphorically sits at ‘first and goal.’ The league’s owners are set to meet next week, so further developments on this front could be coming very soon. As the team’s contract arrangements this offseason suggest, an ownership change remains the likeliest end to the situation in Washington.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/19/23
We will keep track of today’s minor moves right here:
Baltimore Ravens
- Re-signed: LB Del’Shawn Phillips
Cleveland Browns
- Re-signed: LB Jordan Kunaszyk
Detroit Lions
- Signed: LS Jake McQuaide
Las Vegas Raiders
- Released: LS Trent Sieg
Washington Commanders
- Retired: TE Eli Wolf
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/17/23
Here are today’s minor moves from around the league:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: LB Tae Davis
Buffalo Bills
- Signed free agent tender: CB Dane Jackson
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: C Justin McCray
Green Bay Packers
- Re-signed: S Rudy Ford
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: LS Jacob Bobenmoyer
Los Angeles Chargers
- Re-signed: P JK Scott
Miami Dolphins
- Re-signed: WR River Cracraft
New England Patriots
- Re-signed: DT Daniel Ekuale
- Signed: LB Chris Board
New York Jets
- Re-signed: FB Nick Bawden
- Signed: C Trystan Colon-Castillo
Washington Commanders
- Signed: DT Abdullah Anderson
Board is a strong special teamer, signing a two-year, $5MM deal with New England, according to Ben Volin of the Boston Globe. The contract reportedly includes incentives that can push the deal to a maximum value of $6.7MM.
Colon-Castillo reportedly visited the Falcons today, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. Despite the visit, he decided to sign with the Jets.
Jets Sign OL Wes Schweitzer
The Jets have added some versatility to their offensive line. The team announced that they’ve agreed to a deal with offensive lineman Wes Schweitzer.
The former sixth-round pick has managed to put together a seven-year career thanks in part to that versatility. Schweitzer has played at least one career snap at every offensive line position, although the majority of his playing time has come at left guard and right guard.
Schweitzer started 36 of his 46 appearances for Atlanta between 2017 and 2019, and he started 13 games during his first season in Washington in 2020. He only started five of his 11 appearances in 2021 before returning to the starting lineup in 2022, starting six of his seven appearances thanks to an ankle injury that landed him on IR. He finished the season ranked as Pro Football Focus’ 27th center (among 36 qualifiers).
ESPN’s John Keim tweets that the Commanders were interested in retaining the free agent offensive lineman. Ultimately, the team determined that they already have several veterans who should be able to fill in for Schweitzer.
Schweitzer will enter the season as a backup, but his versatility obviously provides the Jets with some flexibility when an injury inevitably hits. The Jets have lost a bit of OL depth during the early days of free agency with Nate Herbig heading to the Steelers.
The Jets made another OL move today, re-signing Adam Pankey, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero (on Twitter). The 29-year-old has appeared in nine games since entering the NFL in 2017, although he didn’t make a single appearance in 2022 while sitting on the Jets’ practice squad.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/15/23
Today’s minor transactions:
Cincinnati Bengals
- Re-signed: RB Trayveon Williams
Denver Broncos
- Signed: CB Tremon Smith
Green Bay Packers
- Re-signed: TE Tyler Davis
- Signed: LS Matt Orzech
Indianapolis Colts
- Re-signed: CB Tony Brown
Las Vegas Raiders
- Re-signed: S Roderic Teamer
Los Angeles Chargers
- Re-signed: DL Morgan Fox
Los Angeles Rams
- Re-signed: OL Coleman Shelton
Miami Dolphins
- Re-signed: T Kendall Lamm
- Signed: TE Eric Saubert
- Claimed off waivers (from Broncos): WR Freddie Swain
Minnesota Vikings
- Re-signed: TE Ben Ellefson
Washington Commanders
- Re-signed: DE Efe Obada
Smith got a two-year deal from Denver that can max out at $5.5MM, per Mike Klis of 9News in Denver (via Twitter). Smith got a $1.4MM signing bonus to join the Broncos, per Troy Renck of Denver7 (via Twitter). After finishing last in kicker return average in 2022, the Broncos should get a bump from Smith, who averaged 23.9 yards on his 40 kickoff returns for Houston over the past two years.
Commanders Re-Sign OL Tyler Larsen
Tyler Larsen is returning to Washington. The offensive lineman is re-signing with the Commanders, according to ESPN’s John Keim (on Twitter).
The former undrafted free agent had a five-year stint with the Panthers before joining Washington in 2021. Intended to be a reserve offensive lineman, Larsen has found himself in and out of the starting lineup over the past two years, starting 11 of his 18 appearances.
Larsen’s deal includes just $150K guaranteed, JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington tweets. Overall, the veteran interior offensive lineman will be attached to a one-year, $1.3MM accord.
After starting the 2022 season on PUP, Larsen quickly found himself starting at center in place of Nick Martin. Larsen would proceed to start eight of his nine appearances before suffering a dislocated kneecap in Week 13, ending his season prematurely. Pro Football Focus wasn’t particularly fond of his performance last season, ranking him 29th among 36 qualifying centers.
Larsen’s role will likely be in flux heading into training camp. However, his versatility provides him with a definitive role on the Commanders…it just remains to be seen what that role will end up being.