Latest buzz on top players, teams
NFL Free Agency doesn’t officially start until Wednesday, but a number of the top players in the market are already taken.
As the league marks the start of its league year tomorrow at 4:00 p.m. ET, Monday’s opening of the “negotiation period” or “rights manipulation window” meant a spate of unofficial agreements between marquee players and franchises. Big names that made deals included QB Jimmy Garoppolo (Las Vegas Raiders), DT Javon Hargrave (San Francisco 49ers), OT Mike McGlinchey (Denver Broncos) and LB Tremaine Edmunds (Chicago Bears).
More are sure to follow Tuesday, so keep checking back with USA TODAY Sports throughout the day for the latest updates:
Titans find replacement to start LB
The Tennessee Titans general manager Ran Carthon is expected to reunite with a well-known player.
Titans insider linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair will sign a contract in NFL Free Agency, according to a report by ESPN’s Dianna Russini. Al-Shaair comes to Tennessee after four years in San Francisco, where he played for the organization where Carthon worked in the front office. Al-Shaair had 44 tackles in 12 games last season and has a career 199 tackles with two sacks and 11 tackles for losses.
Bringing in Al-Shair will make up for some of the Titans’ losses at inside linebacker this offseason. The Titans have fired veteran Zach Cunningham and not resigned David Long Jr., who will reportedly sign with the Chicago Bears when the free hand officially begins Wednesday.
The Titans have a number of starters who are getting free hands this offseason. In addition to players whose contracts are expiring, like Long and offensive linemen Nate Davis and Aaron Brewer, the Titans also fired offensive tackle Taylor Lewan, receiver Robert Woods, linebackers Zach Cunningham and Bud Dupree, center Ben Jones and kicker Randy or expected to dismiss bull.
– Nick Suss, The Tennessean
Eagles add running back Rashaad Penny
The Philadelphia Eagles made a move to strengthen their backfield amid some uncertainties.
According to multiple reports, running back Rashaad Penny has agreed to a deal with the NFC’s defending champion.
Penny, 27, has shown promise in spurts throughout his career, averaging more than 6 yards per contact over the past two seasons. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Penny has racked up the most yards from contact (4.6) and rushing yards above expectations (+1.8) of any back in the past two years with at least 100 carries.
But the former first-round pick has struggled to stay healthy and has only played 42 games in his five-year career, including 18 in the last three seasons.
There’s potential for a breakout behind Philadelphia’s impressive offensive line, which paved the way for the NFL’s fifth-ranked rushing attack (147.6 yards per game) and will bring back at least four starters after center Jason Kelce announced his return.
The move raises questions about the future of the incumbent, who begins running back Miles Sanders, who is set to become a free agent on Wednesday.
– Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz
Darren Waller trade shakes receiving corps for Giants, Raiders
The Giants added an offensive weapon for Daniel Jones, and it’s a blockbuster.
Star tight end Darren Waller is coming to Big Blue in a No. 100 overall trade with the Las Vegas Raiders for the third round, which he received from Kansas City in a package for Kadarius Toney, a person with knowledge of the situation said USA with TODAY network. The person spoke on condition of anonymity
The deal will be officially announced at the beginning of the league year on Wednesday at 4 p.m
Waller turns 31 in September and has struggled with injuries in recent seasons, but when he’s healthy, he remains one of the more dominant playmakers in the NFL. Giants coach Brian Daboll is a tight ends coach at heart — he insisted and was admittedly very hard on Daniel Bellinger last season because he saw so much promise in the rookie — so there’s no doubt they Will have a plan where Bellinger and Waller can coexist on offense.
– Art Stapleton, NorthJersey.com
Michael Thomas stays with Saints
The New Orleans Saints found a way to bring back an important goal for Derek Carr.
Wide receiver Michael Thomas has agreed to a restructured, one-year, $10 million deal with the team, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Thomas, who had already restructured his contract in January, was under contract until 2024. But with Friday’s three-time Pro Bowl selection set to guarantee his $31.755 million 2024 roster bonus, both sides were under pressure for a new deal.
Thomas, 30, has only played 10 games in the last three years due to injury. He appeared in just three games in 2022 and had 16 catches before a toe condition sidelined him for the year.
– Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz
Dolphins bring back Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson
The Miami Dolphins are running it back with their backfield from a season ago.
Running backs Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson both return to Miami to play again under coach Mike McDaniel, who they played for in San Francisco when McDaniel was offensive coordinator in 2021.
Mostert agreed to a two-year deal, his agent Brett Tessler announced on social media on Tuesday. Mostert’s contract could be worth as much as $7.6 million, according to ESPN. Before incentives, the deal is $5.6 million, with $2.2 million guaranteed, according to NFL Network.
Wilson will also sign a two-year deal that could reach up to $8.2 million, according to ESPN.
The familiarity of Mostert and Wilson on McDaniel’s offense helped the Dolphins to a 9-8 record last season before the team lost to the Buffalo Bills in the division round playoffs.
Mostert, who turns 31 next month, led the Dolphins with 891 rushing yards and three touchdowns. He also had 31 catches and 202 yards with two touchdowns.
Wilson, who was acquired by the 49ers at the close of last season, had 84 carries for 392 yards and three touchdowns while catching 12 passes for 94 yards and one touchdown in eight games for Miami last season.
– Safid Din
Cowboys bring back Donovan Wilson
The Dallas Cowboys are retaining a key member of their high school.
Safety Donovan Wilson agreed to a three-year deal worth up to $24 million.
Wilson, 28, led the Cowboys with 107 tackles last season and added five sacks, both numbers representing career bests. His return secures defensive coordinator Dan Quinn a downhill tackle while fellow safeties Jayron Kearse and Malik Hooker take on expanded roles.
– Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz
Jakobi Meyers gets his payday from Raiders
The wide receiver market was slow to materialize, but the top pass catcher is now off the board.
According to multiple reports, Meyers agreed to a three-year, $33 million deal that includes $21 million guaranteed.
The move is the latest from coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler to redesign the offense. On Monday, the Raiders signed quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to a three-year deal.
Meyers joins Davante Adams, Hunter Renfrow and Darren Waller in Las Vegas’ pass catcher crew.
His departure leaves a significant hole for New England, which now no longer returns a wide receiver who had more than 35 catches or 550 receiving yards.
– Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz
Buccaneers sell G Shaq Mason to Texans
There are more changes coming for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The team is trading offensive guard Shaq Mason for the Houston Texans in a late-round pick swap, reports NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
Reports surfaced Monday that the Buccaneers would either seek to act or release Mason, who had a $9.576 million cap hit.
He becomes the second starting offensive lineman the team sent off this offseason after Donovan Smith was cut in the left tackle.
In Houston, Mason could bring some needed internal stability to a team that’s expected to have a rookie starter in 2023.
– Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz
Taylor Heinicke chooses Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons’ quarterback plan could come into focus.
According to multiple reports, Taylor Heinicke agreed to a two-year deal worth $14 million.
His arrival likely further cements second-year signal caller Desmond Ridder as a starter. The Falcons also own the No. 8 and could pick a quarterback, although the top three or four passers are expected to be gone by that point.
Commanders coach Ron Rivera had left the door open to a possible return for Heinicke, who started nine games for Washington. However, Rivera maintained that Sam Howell would have the lead for the starting position when he enters the offseason program.
– Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz
