Inside the Dre’Mont Jones deal

Posted by Mike Florio on March 14, 2023, 10:51 AM EDT

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Defensive lineman Dre'Mont Jones will bolt from the Broncos to the Seahawks under a three-year deal.

Here’s a look at the details of the contract that becomes official on Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. ET, barring a change of heart.

1. Signing bonus: $20 million.

2. 2023 base salary: $3 million, fully guaranteed.

3. 2024 base salary: $11 million, $7 million of which is fully guaranteed at signing. The amount becomes fully guaranteed on the fifth day of the 2024 waiver system.

4. 2025 base salary: $16 million.

The deal also includes $510,000 per year in per-game roster bonuses. That’s $30,000 per game.

The contract can a short as a one-year, $23 million deal, given that $7 million in guarantees don’t fully vest until next year. Looking at all three seasons, it has a maximum annual value of $17.1 million.

Donovan Wilson to re-sign with Cowboys on three-year deal

Posted by Myles Simmons on March 14, 2023, 10:38 AM EDT

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At the beginning of the month, the Cowboys reportedly weren’t optimistic about the possibility of keeping pending free-agent safety Donovan Wilson.

But things have certainly changed on the eve of the new league year.

Wilson and the Cowboys have agreed to terms on a three-year contract to keep the safety with the club, according to NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo.

The deal is worth $24 million with the first two years fully guaranteed at $13.5 million.

A sixth-round pick in the 2019 draft, Wilson started all 17 games for the Cowboys in 2022, playing 84 percent of the club’s defensive snaps. He recorded 101 tackles with seven tackles for loss, nine QB hits, and 5.0 sacks. Wilson also had an interception, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery for Dallas in 2022.

In 51 games with 30 starts, Wilson has recorded three picks and 8.5 sacks.

Jakobi Meyers agrees to three-year deal with Raiders

Posted by Myles Simmons on March 14, 2023, 10:04 AM EDT

New England Patriots v Las Vegas Raiders

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General Manager Dave Ziegler and head coach Josh McDaniels are bringing another familiar face to Las Vegas.

Receiver Jakobi Meyers has agreed to a three-year deal with the Raiders worth $33 million with $21 million guaranteed, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Media.

Having entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2019, Mayers spent his first four seasons with the Patriots. He led the team’s inconsistent offense last year with 67 catches, 804 yards, and six touchdowns.

Meyers, 26, was tendered at the second-round level as a restricted free agent last year.

He will now reunite with McDaniels, who called Meyers’ plays for his first three seasons as New England’s offensive coordinator.

In 60 games with 39 starts, Meyers has 235 receptions for 2,758 yards with eight touchdowns.

Buccaneers to trade Shaq Mason to Texans

Posted by Myles Simmons on March 14, 2023, 9:56 AM EDT

Tampa Bay Buccaneers v Pittsburgh Steelers

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The Buccaneers have found a trade partner for offensive guard Shaq Mason.

Per multiple reports, Tampa Bay is sending Mason to Houston in a deal that will also see the teams swap late-round picks.

The Buccaneers will get a Texans sixth-round selection while Houston will receive a Tampa Bay seventh-round pick.

It’s the second year in a row that Mason, who turns 30 in August, has been traded. New England sent him to Tampa Bay last offseason for a fifth-round pick.

Mason ended up starting all 17 games for the Bucs, playing 99 percent of the club’s offensive snaps.

A fourth-round pick of the 2015 draft, Mason has appeared in 120 games with 115 starts in his eight seasons.

Texans General Manager Nick Caserio was the Patriots’ director of player personnel when the team drafted Mason.

Inside the new Jalen Ramsey deal

Posted by Mike Florio on March 14, 2023, 9:43 AM EDT

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The details of the new Jalen Ramsey deal are in.

As expected, he has picked up significant new guarantees. As expected, he has reduced his cash in 2023, in order to create more cap space. As expected, we have the numbers.

Ramsey was due to make $17 million in 2023, $18.5 million in 2024, and $19.5 million in 2025.

Here are the new terms, per a source with knowledge of the deal.

1. Signing bonus: $8.835 million.

2. 2023 base salary: $1.165 million, fully guaranteed.

3. 2024 offseason roster bonus: $11 million, fully guaranteed.

4. 2024 base salary: $14.5 million, fully guaranteed.

5. 2025 offseason roster bonus: $4 million.

6. 2025 base salary: $15.5 million.

The contract continues to include $2.5 million escalators for 2024 and 2025.

Before the trade, Ramsey had $5 million in full guarantees remaining. After the trade, he now has $35.5 million in full guarantees.

Also, the Dolphins got some significant cap relief for 2023. Instead of having Ramsey could for $17 million, his new cap number is $4.11 million. That’s a reduction of $12.89 million.

To make it happen, Ramsey gave up $7 million in cash this year. But he’ll get it all back in 2024. His 2025 terms are unchanged.

Report: Vikings are expected to re-sign Nick Mullens

Posted by Myles Simmons on March 14, 2023, 9:04 AM EDT

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The Vikings are keeping their backup quarterback around for 2023.

Minnesota is expected to re-sign Nick Mullens, according to Field Yates of ESPN.

Mullens, who turns 28 this month, appeared in four games for the Vikings last year. He completed 21-of-25 passes for 224 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

Minnesota acquired the quarterback from the Raiders late in training camp for a conditional seventh-round pick.

Mullens has started 17 games in his career, most of which came for the 49ers. After entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2017, he went 3-5 as a starter in 2018 when Jimmy Garoppolo was injured. He then went 2-6 as a starter for the 49ers in 2020.

Mullens also started a game for the Browns in 2021.

The quarterback has completed 65.3 percent of his 655 passes for 5,085 yards with 27 touchdowns and 23 interceptions.

Report: Jets working to sign Allen Lazard

Posted by Josh Alper on March 14, 2023, 8:38 AM EDT

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Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner suggested there might be some package deals in place if his team lands quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the team is reportedly working on making one happen despite the fact that Rodgers has yet to reveal his intentions for 2023.

Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the Jets are working on a deal with wide receiver Allen Lazard. Lazard and Rodgers have been Packers teammates since Lazard joined the team in 2018. Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett also coached both players from 2019 to 2021.

Schefter adds that another team is also working to sign Lazard and that nothing is final at this point, but one would imagine that the Jets’ interest in Lazard is tied to the possibility that Rodgers will be running their offense.

While Rodgers hasn’t shared his thoughts on that with the general public, a private conversation or two with his longtime teammate would likely have some sway on where Lazard winds up playing in 2023.

Falcons to sign Taylor Heinicke

Posted by Michael David Smith on March 14, 2023, 8:18 AM EDT

Washington Commanders v San Francisco 49ers

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Taylor Heinicke is heading to Atlanta.

Heinicke has agreed to sign with the Falcons, according to NFL Media. He’ll likely compete with Desmond Ridder for the starting quarterback job.

Heinicke, who turns 30 tomorrow, has started 25 games in his NFL career, including nine for the Commanders last season, when he replaced Carson Wentz and played better than Wentz, getting the Commanders into playoff contention before they ultimately fell short. Heinicke also started a playoff game for Washington after the 2020 season.

The Commanders have moved on from Heinicke and Wentz and are currently featuring Sam Howell atop their depth chart, although they still may sign a veteran to compete with Howell.

Titans agree to sign Luke Gifford

Posted by Michael David Smith on March 14, 2023, 7:49 AM EDT

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Linebacker Luke Gifford will be moving from Dallas to Tennessee.

Gifford has agreed to a two-year contract with the Titans, according to Todd Archer of ESPN.

The 27-year-old Gifford signed with the Cowboys as an undrafted rookie out of Nebraska in 2019 and has spent his entire NFL career in Dallas.

Gifford rarely plays on defense but led the Cowboys in both special teams snaps and special teams tackles last season.

Alvin Kamara, Marshon Lattimore join list of Saints restructures

Posted by Josh Alper on March 14, 2023, 7:10 AM EDT

New Orleans Saints v Philadelphia Eagles

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The Saints have long favored restructuring contracts of veteran players in order to create cap space and they’ve completed a number of them heading into the start of the new league year on Wednesday.

Monday brought word that they reworked defensive end Cam Jordan‘s deal in order to create $10 million in cap space and Tuesday brings word that two other longtime Saints have seen their deals restructured. Field Yates of ESPN reports that running back Alvin Kamara and cornerback Marshon Lattimore are now on the list as well.

The three moves created $29.201 million in cap space for the Saints.

While the Saints have opened up cap space, they spent Monday watching members of their defensive front agree to deals with other teams. David Onyemata, Shy Tuttle, Marcus Davenport, and Kaden Elliss are all set to sign with other teams.

Eagles announce one-year deal with Jason Kelce

Posted by Josh Alper on March 14, 2023, 6:54 AM EDT

NFL: FEB 12 Super Bowl LVII - Eagles vs Chiefs

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Center Jason Kelce provided one of Monday’s early headlines when he announced that he will continue to play in 2023 and the Eagles capped the day with another announcement.

The team announced that Kelce officially agreed to a one-year deal to remain with the only team he’s played for as a professional. The team did not disclose any financial terms of that deal.

Kelce’s return allows him to try for a third straight first-team All-Pro selection in his 13th season in the middle of the line for the Eagles. It will also likely mean that 2022 second-round pick Cam Jurgens will be vying for a role at guard in his second NFL season.

The rest of Monday featured plenty of news about players leaving the Eagles for other clubs as a free agent, but Kelce’s return was reason for some smiles in Philadelphia.

Duke Riley agrees to new deal with Dolphins

Posted by Josh Alper on March 14, 2023, 6:44 AM EDT

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The Dolphins will be holding onto linebacker Duke Riley.

Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that Riley has agreed to a two-year deal to remain in Miami. No other terms have been reported.

Riley signed with the Dolphins as a free agent in 2021 and he’s played in 33 games for the Dolphins over the last two seasons. He’s recorded 71 tackles and a sack while playing a core special teams role in addition to his defensive role.

The Dolphins also agreed to deals with former Titans linebacker David Long and former Jets quarterback Mike White on Monday. They also made one of the splashiest moves yet this offseason when they agreed to trade for cornerback Jalen Ramsey on Sunday.

On the first day of 2023 free agency, no receivers agreed to terms

Posted by Mike Florio on March 14, 2023, 6:40 AM EDT

Cincinnati Bengals v New England Patriots

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The NFL receiver market could be at a crossroads. On Monday, no free-agent wideout even started his car.

With plenty of great options entering the draft every year, teams may be reluctant to follow the big-money trend that began last year with Christian Kirk and continued with Tyreek Hill, Davante Adams, and others getting gigantic, market-shifting contract.

So far, no free agents have agreed to terms during the 2023 negotiating period.

Available players include Jakobi Meyers, Allen Lazard, Darius Slayton, Adam Thielen, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Mecole Hardman, Chosen Anderson, D.J. Chark, Randall Cobb, Marvin Jones, Julio Jones, Byron Pringle, Jarvis Landry, N'Keal Harry, Sammy Watkins, Mack Hollins, Zach Pascal, Parris Campbell, Jake Kumerow, Scotty Miller, and many more.

Then there’s Odell Beckham, Jr., who became a free agent last year but who suffered a torn ACL in February 2022. He held a workout for all teams last week (12 attended), and reportedly is talking to several of them. He reportedly still wants a lot of money.

The only deals happened over the weekend, with Sterling Shepard staying in New York on a one-year deal and Robert Woods, cut by the Titans, joining the Texans.

Since Free Agency 2023 began, it’s been crickets.

Mike White can potentially double his money in Miami

Posted by Mike Florio on March 14, 2023, 6:27 AM EDT

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Mike Effin’ White will be moving to F-L-A under his new deal with the Dolphins. And he can double his money with an incentive package covering both seasons of his two-year deal.

Per a source with knowledge of the contract, White get a signing bonus of $3.42 million in 2023 and a fully-guaranteed base salary of $1.08 million. Next year, the non-guaranteed base salary is $3.5 million, for a two-year package of $8 million.

The contract also includes up to $4 million per year in incentives, based on factors such as playing time and team achievements, and playing time and playoff incentives. The specifics haven’t been disclosed, yet.

So if the Dolphins need White to play over the next two years, White could boost his compensation, perhaps significantly.

Patrick Peterson gets $7.15 million for one year, with a Steelers option for 2024

Posted by Mike Florio on March 14, 2023, 6:18 AM EDT

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Veteran cornerback Patrick Peterson wanted to stay with the Vikings. But the Vikings didn’t offer enough money to keep him.

The Steelers offered enough to snatch him. He’ll get, per a source with knowledge of the deal, a two-year contract worth a total of $14 million.

However, the structure shows that it’s a one-year, $7.15 million contract, with a non-guaranteed compensation package of $6.85 million in the second year.

The deal has a $3 million roster bonus due on the third day of the 2024 league year, with a 2024 base salary of $5.15 million.

So, clearly, the Vikings weren’t willing to go that far.

“I definitely wanted to go back to Minnesota,” Peterson said Monday on his podcast, via Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. He said that the negotiations were all business with “no curve balls.”

“I felt like [Minnesota] was home,” Peterson said.

Pittsburgh is home now.

“It was kind of out of left field,” Peterson said. “My agent was doing his job. He was calling around to see what teams wanted to have me in their locker room.”