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In spite of everything going on across the country and across the world, the NFL is keeping to its schedule when it comes to the start of the new league year. That means that as people across the globe are practicing social distancing and quarantining, there should be news coming out of the NFL regarding franchise tags, player signings, trades, cuts and all kinds of other news.
There are certainly far more important things that many people need to tend to, but here at Field Gulls we’ll be working to keep our news up to date on the world of football, including signings, rumors, cuts, trades and other news. That said, this post will be a running thread we work to keep updated with many of the latest developments.
Franchise tags continue to be placed on edge rushers, with both Bud Dupree of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Shaq Barrett of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers getting tagged Monday morning.
The #Steelers have placed the franchise tag on LB Bud Dupree. Not a surprise, standout pass-rushers rarely hit the market if teams want to keep them.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2020
The #Bucs are franchise tagging pass-rusher Shaq Barrett, source said, locking him in after a career year.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2020
The Atlanta Falcons are releasing Desmond Trufant and Devonta Freeman
The Falcons plan to release CB Desmond Trufant this week per @TomPelissero
— PFF (@PFF) March 16, 2020
Trufant: PFF grade of 69+ in 8 straight seasons pic.twitter.com/62IYcHuWrX
The #Falcons are releasing RB Devonta Freeman, source says, saving more than $3M against the salary cap and moving on from their former starter.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2020
The Minnesota Vikings have reached an agreement with Kirk Cousins on a two year extension.
The #Vikings have agreed to terms on a 2-year extension with QB Kirk Cousins, per @MikeMcCartney7.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2020
For the #Vikings and QB Kirk Cousins, it’s a 2-year deal worth $66M, source said. In all, it’s 3 years, $96M. $61M guaranteed at signing.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2020
The Green Bay Packers are signing linebacker Christian Kirksey
#Packers are signing LB Christian Kirksey, per his agents at @SPORTSTARSNYC. Two year, $16 million deal. Reunited with Mike Pettine, who was the #Browns coach when Cleveland drafted him.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 16, 2020
The Cincinnati Bengals appear intent to pro Joe Burrow playmakers when he makes it to town, using the franchise tag on A.J. Green.
The #Bengals informed star WR A.J. Green they're placing the franchise tag on him, per source.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 16, 2020
Having already signed a contract with Ryan Tannehill, the Tennessee Titans are now using their franchise tag on Derrick Henry
titans are placing the franchise tag on derrick henry
— charles (TBD) mcdonald (@FourVerts) March 16, 2020
The Dallas Cowboys have tagged Dak Prescott
BREAKING: The Cowboys have put the franchise tag on Dak Prescott & continue to work on a long-term deal with Amari Cooper.
— David Moore (@DavidMooreDMN) March 16, 2020
Chris Jones of the Kansas City Chiefs isn’t an edge rusher, but he has had the franchise tag applied.
No surprise, but Chiefs are placing franchise tag on DT Chris Jones today, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2020
The Vikings also decided to support the fullback market, signing C.J. Ham to a three year extension.
It’s a 4-year deal worth $12.25M, source said. So on new money average, it’s $3.3M per year. https://t.co/YQqNI1jCLA
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2020
The Cleveland Browns have extended a second round tender to Kareem Hunt.
The #Browns gave a 2nd round tender to RB Kareem Hunt, while also cutting S Morgan Burnett.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2020
The Green Bay Packers have agreed to terms with right tackle Rick Wagner, which as Ian Rapoport states, means they are out of the Bryan Bulaga sweepstakes.
The #Packers have agreed to terms with free agent RT Rick Wagner, formerly of the #Lions, per me and @MikeGarafolo. This signals what has become clear, that Bryan Bulaga is gone.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2020
The Arizona Cardinals have placed the transition tag on Kenyan Drake.
Wow. The #AZCardinals have given RB Kenyan Drake the transition tag, source said.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2020
The New England Patriots are franchise tagging Joe Thuney.
The Patriots are placing the franchise tag on standout LG Joe Thuney, per his agent @MikeMcCartney7.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 16, 2020
The Vikings have been busy this morning, as in addition to extending Cousins and Ham, they have also used the franchise tag on Anthony Harris.
A surprise: the #Vikings have franchise tagged S Anthony Harris, either keeping him in Minnesota or allowing them to trade him. Maybe the top FA safety won’t be free.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2020
The San Francisco 49ers are reportedly on the verge of reaching, or perhaps announcing, a contract extension with Arik Armstead.
New deal is expected very very soon for 49ers and Arik Armstead per source.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) March 16, 2020
The #49ers are giving star DL Arik Armstead a 5-year deal, sources say, avoiding the franchise tag and locking him up long-term. He gets up to $85M on his new deal.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2020
New England Patriots TE Ben Watson is retiring.
Former #Patriots TE steps away (from football, we’ll certainly continue to see him a lot publicly). https://t.co/NVSTbTKKD0
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2020
On the subject of tight ends, the Cleveland Browns have reportedly agreed to terms with Austin Hooper, formerly of the Cleveland Browns.
#Falcons free agent TE Austin Hooper, the top player at his position, is headed to the #Browns, per @TomPelissero, @MikeSilver and me. They’ve agreed to terms, he’s the new highest-paid TE.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2020
Early word I’m hearing on Austin Hooper’s contract is four years, $44 million.
— vaughn mcclure (@vxmcclure23) March 16, 2020
Offensive lineman Ereck Flowers also landed with his fourth team in the past two years.
Miami Dolphins agree to terms with Ereck Flowers $30M over 3 years with $19.95M fully guaranteed, per @RosenhausSports
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2020
The Houston Texans have acquired David Johnson from the Arizona Cardinals, and who the Cardinals got in return is shocking.
Trade: Cardinals and Texans are agreeing to a trade that will send David Johnson to Houston, sources tell ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2020
Texans are trading DeAndre Hopkins to Arizona, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2020
DeAndre Hopkins and a fourth round pick go to Cards for David Johnson and a second round pick this year and a fourth round pick next year.
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) March 16, 2020
The Atlanta Falcons and the Baltimore Ravens agree to a trade as well, with draft picks going from Atlanta to Baltimore for Hayden Hurst and a 4th round pick.
And another trade! pic.twitter.com/asFJlHLfjM
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2020
The Miami Dolphins, after signing Ereck Flowers earlier, are also adding some pass rush with the signing of Shaq Lawson.
The #Dolphins are expected to sign former #Bills first-round pass-rusher Shaq Lawson, sources say. He had 6.5 sacks last year and will help Miami affect the quarterback.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2020
The Pittsburgh Steelers will need a new guard, as Ramon Foster has retired.
#Steelers guard Ramon Foster has retired.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 16, 2020
The Bucs also kept pass rusher Jason Pierre-Paul on a two year contract.
JPP is going back to Tampa Bay on a two-year, $27 million deal, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2020
San Francisco made their second major DL move on Monday, trading star defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the Colts in exchange for the thirteenth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Blockbuster: The #49ers are trading Pro Bowl DL DeForest Buckner to the #Colts, sources say, in exchange for a first-round pick. A massive deal for both teams, with one of SF’s key players on the move.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2020
Former Titans RT Jack Conklin, a player many had expressed desire to see in Seattle, signed with the Browns on a three-year deal worth $42 million, with $30 million fully guaranteed.
Jack Conklin agreed to a 3-year deal with the Browns for $42M with $30M fully guarantee, per @RosenhausSports. He earns $20mil in the first year. Wanted to keep it short due to the projected increases in the salary cap. Conklin will only be 28 when this deal expires.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2020
The right tackle market continues to balloon, as the Lions reached a five-year, $50 million agreement with former Eagles swing tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai.
Former #Eagles OL Big V agrees to a deal with the #Lions: 5 years, $50m, source said.
— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) March 16, 2020
One of the top interior lineman available is off the board, as the Broncos and G/C Graham Glasgow agreed to a four-year deal worth $44 million.
Broncos signing OL Graham Glasgow to a four-year, $44 million contract, including $26 million guaranteed, @SPORTSTARSNYC tells ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2020
The Saints have reached an agreement with defensive tackle David Onyemata, who will return to New Orleans to continue his career.
DT David Onyemata headed back to the #Saints, source says. Big keep for New Orleans.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 16, 2020
Cornerback Byron Jones, formerly of the Dallas Cowboys, is off to play for the Miami Dolphins.
Byron Jones’ new contract with the Dolphins will be a five-year, $82.5 million deal, including $57 million guaranteed, per source. It includes $40 million in first two years.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2020
Michael Brockers, formerly of the Los Angeles Rams, is now set to join Calais Campbell on the defensive line of the Baltimore Ravens.
The #Ravens are giving former #Rams DT Michael Brockers a 3-year, $30M deal, source said. His versatility had several teams interested.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2020
Former Seahawk Jimmy Graham scored another payday, signing a two-year deal worth $16 million to stay in the NFC North with the Chicago Bears.
Jimmy Graham to the Bears on a two-year, $16 million deal, including $9 million guaranteed, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2020
Vikings trade Stefon Diggs to Buffalo Bills and get a much better haul than the Texans got for DeAndre Hopkins
Compensation update: Bills are trading a 1st-round pick, a 5th-round pick, a 6th-round pick and a 2021 4th-round pick for Vikings WR Stefon Diggs and a 2020 7th-round pick, source tells ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 17, 2020
Amari Cooper re-signs with Dallas Cowboys on 5-year, $100 million deal
Amari Cooper intends to re-sign with the Dallas Cowboys on a 5-year, $100 million deal, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 17, 2020