Latest buzz on contracts for top players
The NFL’s free agency officially begins Wednesday, but many of the biggest names expected to be available have already closed deals.
With the league opening its “legal manipulation window,” or negotiation phase, on Monday, free agents have been able to solicit offers from other teams and close them before the new league year officially begins today. Most of the top players in the market have already agreed terms, although a few were still unspoken Wednesday, including offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr., wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and defensive back CJ Gardner-Johnson, among others.
Tune in all Wednesday for all the notable updates on free agency:
Lavonte David back with Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will bring back another defensive starter who, at one point, inevitably had to go elsewhere.
Linebacker Lavonte David will re-sign with the team on a one-year deal, he told Josina Anderson.
David, 33, was a defensive mainstay for Tampa Bay and served as a starter for the past 11 years. But the capped Buccaneers appeared to be in the midst of a rebuild following Tom Brady’s retirement, leading many to believe David would end up elsewhere.
Instead, the veteran returns for at least 2023.
The Buccaneers reportedly agreed a four-year, $52 million deal with cornerback Jamel Dean on Tuesday.
– Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz
Jordan Poyer goes back to Bills
The Buffalo Bills have lost a notable starter from their defense, but another makes a surprise comeback.
Safety Jordan Poyer will return to work with the team on a two-year deal, the team announced.
Poyer, 31, had four interceptions and eight passes defended last season. He sparked speculation that he would leave the team in free hands when he said he would “love to go to a state that doesn’t cost half my money”.
On Monday, the Bills lost linebacker Tremaine Edmunds to the Chicago Bears on a four-year, $72 million contract.
– Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz
Baker Mayfield finds his landing spot at Buccaneers
After rekindling his career with a late-season stint with the Rams, Baker Mayfield has a chance to lead a new team.
Mayfield will reportedly sign a one-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers worth up to $8.5 million, according to multiple reports. He will have the chance to replace Tom Brady, who announced his retirement in early February, as Tampa’s starting quarterback. It now means Mayfield, 27, has joined his fourth team since the start of the 2021 season.
In five games with the Rams, four of which were starts, Mayfield completed 63.6% of his passes for 850 yards with four touchdowns against two interceptions.
Mayfield will likely compete with Kyle Trask, the only other quarterback on the roster.
-Lorenzo Reyes
Eagles part ways with Pro Bowl CB Darius Slay
The Super Bowl runner-up will carry on from one of his cornerbacks of the past three seasons.
The Philadelphia Eagles will sack cornerback Darius Slay, a five-time Pro Bowler who earned a first-team All-Pro selection in 2017 as a member of the Detroit Lions.
Slay, 32, had been given permission to speak with other teams about a possible trade from Philadelphia last week, according to multiple reports, but posted a message on his verified Twitter account on Wednesday, indicating he was no longer would be with the Eagles.
“Nothing but love Philly!!” Slay wrote on Wednesday. “Let’s see where we go next.”
Slay started all but one of the 48 regular-season games in which he played as an Eagle, recording 166 tackles, 29 passes defended, seven interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and three touchdowns. He has received Pro Bowl nominations in each of the past two seasons.
-Lorenzo Reyes
Saints reinforce defensive front with Khalen Saunders
After addressing their cap situation and internal concerns, the New Orleans Saints took a step to expand their defensive line.
Defensive tackle Khalen Saunders is expected to sign with the team, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport.
Saunders, 26, had a career-best 3½ sacks for the Kansas City Chiefs last season.
The Saints should move in defensive tackle after losing both of last year’s starters to division rivals. Defensive tackle David Onyemata joined the Atlanta Falcons while Shy Tuttle joined the Carolina Panthers.
– Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz
Hayden Hurst joins the Panthers
Another former Cincinnati Bengals player is on his way to the Carolina Panthers.
Tight end Hayden Hurst agreed to a three-year deal with the Panthers, according to multiple outlets.
Hurst, who turns 30 in August, recorded 52 catches for 414 yards and two touchdowns last season, his only year with the Bengals. He should be ready to start in Carolina, although the team is bringing back Ian Thomas and 2021 third-rounder Tommy Tremble.
Hurst follows former Bengals safety Vonn Bell to Carolina. Former Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton is also ready to join the team as a backup.
– Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz
