Hello all. Big week for me welcoming my daughter. I am lacking sleep but the baby is not during the day. So we have some time to discuss free agency. Big week for the NFL with free agency starting officially on Wed March 17 at 4 PM. Unofficially, tampering begins now on March 15 at noon. Let’s take a look at some of the recent big moves as we await all the big signings.
Cuts/Resignings/Restructurings
Green Bay
Aaron Jones got a decent sized 4 year 48 million dollar deal including incentives to remain with Green Bay. They restructured Amos and Preston Smith to make some room as well. Christian Kirksey was cut and already signed with Houston for one year. Rick Wagner got the axe too. Bakthiari and Billy Turner both restructured adding 8.3 million and 2 million in room, respectively. FB John Lovett also got relieved of his duties.
Detroit
The Lions resigned DE Romeo Okwara to a 3 year 39 million dollar deal. Okwara broke out in 2020 with 10 sacks and top 10 pressure rate for pass rushers. Detroit hangs on to a good young player with the new regime. The Lions did not tag Kenny Golladay and he will resign elsewhere opening up WR for Detroit.
Lions cut Desmond Trufant (6 million) and Justin Coleman (9 million June 2) and Jessie James (2 million) to open up some cap room. Detroit resigned Mike Ford to a 1 year 1.2 million dollar deal. Chrisitan Jones cut opened up 2.55 million and backup center Russ Bodine was released. Jamie Collins restructured for 6.3 million in cap room.
Chicago
Bears restructured Khalil Mack, Cody Whitehair and Eddie Jackson to open up 23 million in room. Chicago re-signed DE Mario Edwards to a 3 year 11.55 million dollar deal despite a 2 game suspension to start 2021. Pat O Donnell re-signed on a one year deal and Cairo Santos to a 3 year deal to be their punter and kicker in 2021. Most importantly, the Bears franchise tagged Allen Robinson for 17 million. Buster Skrine was cut for 2.7 million in room.
Minnesota
Vikings restructured Anthony Barr but makes him a free agent in 2022 now. Riley Reiff was cut for 11.75 million opening up LT for Minnesota. Kicker Dan Bailey was cut for 1.7 million. Longtime TE Kyle Rudolph was cut for 5.1 million. DE Stephen Weatherly returned to the Vikings for one year 2.5 million.
New FA Signings
Detroit added WR Tyrell Williams for a 3 million cap hit with incentive laden deal after he was a Vegas cap cut. Blocking TE Josh Hill was added on a one year deal as well once New Orleans let him go.
The Stafford/Goff trade becomes official on March 17 at 4 PM. Lions get 2022 1st, 2023 1st, Goff and 2021 3rd in the deal.
Kevin Zeitler was cut by the Giants but signed a 3 year 22.5million deal with the Ravens. Solid guard going to Baltimore.
Stud TE Jonnu Smith gets a big deal with the Patriots. Davon Godcheaux gets 8 per over 2 years from Miami to New England.
Pat Efflein gets 3 years 11.55 million from Carolina. Carolina signed Cam Erving to a 2 year 10 million dollar deal.
Buffalo resigned stud OLB Matt Milano at 11 per and guard Jon Feliciano. Daryl Williams remains at RT for 3 years 24 million.
Houston added ILB Christian Kirskey and traded for RT Marcus Cannon from New England for swap of picks in 4th, 5th and 6th round. New Houston GM Nick Caserio also traded Bendarick McKinney ILB to the Dolphins for DE Shaq Lawson.
Markus Golden and punter Andy Lee resigned in Arizona.
Shaq Barttet re-signed with Tampa for 4 years 70 million. Big move after they cleared cap room with a new Brady deal. Lavonte David was retained and Chris Godwin was franchised. The Super Bowl champs are keeping the band back together.
Some guy named Drew Brees officially retired.
Way more news to come in the coming days and weeks. Enjoy the free agent frenzy.