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The NFL offseason has been in full swing for several weeks, even in the absence of the traditional NFL Combine in Indianapolis earlier this year. Starting Monday at Noon New York Time, NFL teams and agents can begin to discuss the opportunities available for 2021 for those players whose contracts are set to expire at 4 PM New York Time Monday.
A critical day tomorrow in the NFL, as the legal negotiating window for free agency begins at Noon EST and runs until Wednesday at 4 PM EST.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 15, 2021
Up to this point, teams and agents have had no contact with each other about deals that they would like to get done. pic.twitter.com/Lt82SZ6t30
The Seattle Seahawks, of course, are in the position of having several unsigned starters from the 2020 season set to hit the market, including Chris Carson, Ethan Pocic, Shaquill Griffin and others. Add in the demands from Russell Wilson for the team to add superstars, particularly on the offensive line since he is tired of getting hit, while the front office has a history of adding the opposite of superstars to the offensive line in free agency.
There will be two types of reports emerging in the coming days. The first will be regarding those players who have been released as cap cuts since the end of the 2020 season. Those players are street free agents and are able to sign with a team and formalize their contracts immediately. The second set of reports will be regarding those players whose contract expire at 4:00 New York Time Wednesday, and those reports will be regarding agreements reached on contracts that will be formally signed and executed during the latter part of the week.
March 16
The Chiefs are keeping one of their own.
The #Chiefs are re-signing DE Taco Charlton to a one-year deal, per source.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 16, 2021
The Jacksonville Jaguars have added defensive end Jihad Ward.
Former #Ravens DE Jihad Ward is signing with the #Jaguars, source said. His DL coach in Baltimore Joe Cullen is now the Jags DC.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2021
The Cincinnati Bengals are adding Chidobe Awuzie.
#Bengals agree to terms on a three-year deal with former #Cowboys CB Chidobe Awuzie, source says. Cincy continuing to make moves on defense. They liked the former second-rounder's athleticism and consistency.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 16, 2021
The New England Patriots continued on the signing spree they began on Monday by adding Hunter Henry.
And New England strikes again: The Patriots are signing former Chargers' TE Hunter Henry to a three-year, $37.5 million deal, including $25 million guaranteed, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2021
Free agency's top two tight ends, Henry and Jonnu Smith, wind up in New England.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are also retaining Sidney Jones.
The #Jaguars are expected to re-sign CB Sidney Jones, source said, as the former #Eagles second-rounder is back for another year in Jax.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2021
March 15
The New England Patriots are signing former Titans TE Jonnu Smith to a 4-year, $50 million deal
Former Titans’ TE Jonnu Smith reached agreement with the Patriots on a 4–year, $50 million deals that includes $31.25 million fully guaranteed, @DrewJRosenhaus told ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 15, 2021
The Baltimore Ravens started early Monday morning, taking one of the top free agent guards off the market.
The #Ravens have made their first move in free agency, agreeing to terms with ex-#Giants guard Kevin Zeitler on a 3-year deal worth $22M including $16M fully guaranteed, source said. One of the top interior O-linemen available, Baltimore quickly pounced when Zeitler became free.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 15, 2021
On the subject of guards who had been cut, one name that had been expected to be released, Andrew Norwell, reworked his contract and will be staying with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The #Jaguars and G Andrew Norwell, one of the prizes of past free agencies, have agreed to restructure his contract. Its now $9M fully guaranteed and worth up to $12M, per @DrewJRosenhaus. So, Norwell stays in Jax.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 15, 2021
Those announcements come on the heels of the Buffalo Bills on Sunday agreeing to a three-year extension with Jon Feliciano.
Bills reached agreement with G Jon Feliciano on a three-year deal worth up to $17 million before he could hit free agency, as @MattParrino reported. Bills keep Feliciano and Daryl Williams on their offensive line.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 14, 2021
The Arizona Cardinals have retained Markus Golden.
#AZCardinals pass-rusher Markus Golden is staying in Arizona, source say, agreeing to terms on a 2-year deal that pays him $9M. After leaving AZ, heading to the #Giants, then getting traded back, the 30-year-old Golden elects to stay and call Arizona home.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 15, 2021
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are retaining Shaq Barrett, one of the top EDGE rushers who had been set to hit the market.
Text from #Bucs LB Shaq Barrett just now: "I am going back to Tampa." #Donedecision.
— IG: JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 15, 2021
Buccaneers are giving Shaq Barrett a four-year deal worth up $72 million that includes $36 million fully guaranteed, his agent @DrewJRosenhaus told ESPN
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 15, 2021
The Detroit Lions also retained their own pass rusher, with Romeo Okwara agreeing to a three year contract.
The #Lions and pass-rusher Romeo Okwara are staying together, as Okwara has agreed to a 3-year deal worth $39M, source said. After a career year with 10 sacks, Okwara wants to make Detroit his home.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 15, 2021
The Carolina Panthers have added offensive lineman Pat Elflein.
Former Jets' OL Pat Elflein reached agreement on a three-year, $13.5 million deal including $6 million fully guaranteed with the Carolina Panthers, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 15, 2021
Elflein's agent, @FeinsodJonathan, confirmed his player intends to sign with Carolina.
And the New England Patriots have broken the hearts of Seattle fans who were hoping to add tight end Jonnu Smith.
Former Titans’ TE Jonnu Smith reached agreement with the Patriots on a 4–year, $50 million deals that includes $31.25 million fully guaranteed, @DrewJRosenhaus told ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 15, 2021
It appears Cam Erving will also be joining the Carolina Panthers.
Offensive tackle Cam Erving and the Carolina Panthers are working on a deal for two years and $10 million with $8 million guaranteed, per source.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 15, 2021
And the Houston Texans have added WR Andre Roberts.
The #Texans agreed to terms with WR Andre Roberts on a two-year deal worth up to $5.95 million, source said.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 15, 2021
The San Francisco 49ers are bringing back Jason Verrett.
49ers have a deal to re-sign cornerback Jason Verrett. https://t.co/UEpFLJJ4nc
— MarkMaske (@MarkMaske) March 15, 2021
And the Patriots snag another top free agent, grabbing Matthew Judon.
The #Patriots have now finalized a deal for #Ravens pass-rusher Matt Judon, sources say.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 15, 2021
Continuing their busy day, the Patriots have added former Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Jalen Mills.
More for the Patriots: Former Eagles DB Jalen Mills to the Patriots on a 4-year, $24 million deal including $9M guaranteed, @DrewJRosenhaus tells ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 15, 2021
The New York Jets have given new head coach Robert Saleh a linebacker for his defense to pair with C.J. Mosly.
Former Lions’ LB Jarrad Davis to the Jets on a one-year, $7 million deal, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 15, 2021
It appears as though reports regarding the demise of the offensive line of the Kansas City Chiefs may have been premature.
Excited for @JosephThuney agreeing to a 5 year deal with the @Chiefs
— Mike McCartney (@MikeMcCartney7) March 15, 2021
And the Los Angeles Rams have now lost safety John Johnson to the Cleveland Browns.
Breaking: Former #Rams safety John Johnson is signing with the #Browns, per @MaryKayCabot.
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) March 15, 2021
It appears as though Corey Linsley will not be signing in Seattle.
The #Chargers are expected to sign all-pro center Corey Linsley, per sources. The longtime #Packers standout has a new home on a deal expected to make him the NFL's highest-paid center.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 15, 2021
And the Texans have now added Maliek Collins to their defensive line from the Dallas Cowboys.
Former Cowboys’ DT Maliek Collins reached agreement on a one-year deal worth up to $6 million with the Texans; @DrewJRosenhaus tells ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 15, 2021