
A New England Patriots helmet during the game between the New England Patriots and the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
NFL free agency officially begins on Wednesday, March 13 at 4 p.m. But first the league has its “legal tampering” period, when teams can negotiate with agents of players around the league. It’s often during this two-day window that free agents make their decisions.
Check below for live updates from Monday on the Patriots and their many free agents ahead of the 2019 league year, as well as other notable news & rumors around the league. Expect plenty more updates to drop after noon when the legal tampering window officially opens.
Live Updates: Monday, March 11
— 6:25: A long-time Patriots foe is leaving the AFC.
According to Ian Rapoport, Terrell Suggs will leave the Baltimore Ravens for the Arizona Cardinals.
Source: The #AZCardinals are expected to sign former #Ravens pass-rusher Terrell Suggs. Back home where he went to college.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 11, 2019
Suggs spent 14 years in Baltimore.
— 6:00: The Patriots reportedly missed out on WR Adam Humphries, who has signed with the Titans for 4-years and $36 million.
The Titans were bidding against the New England Patriots for Humphries all day per source. In the end, the Titans land him. https://t.co/kTP3eWKz3Z
— Dianna Russini (@diannaESPN) March 11, 2019
— 5:45: One of the top wide receivers on the market is on the move, according to NFL Network.
The #Titans are signing former #Bucs WR Adam Humphries, per @MikeGarafolo and me. Another top slot threat off the market. One of the NFL’s most efficient on third down.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 11, 2019
Humphries was considered a potential Patriots target. He is set to earn $9 million annually.
WR Adam Humphries' contract with the Titans expected to be $36 million over four years, sources tell me and @TomPelissero.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 11, 2019
— 5:09: Via multiple reports, the Bucs are trading WR DeSean Jackson to the Eagles.
TRADE: @Eagles acquiring WR @DeSeanJackson11 from the Buccaneers.
— NFL (@NFL) March 11, 2019
(via @RapSheet + @MikeGarafolo) pic.twitter.com/O7GMP7zVsc
— 4:50: A major shakeup is coming in Jacksonville. According to reports, quarterback Nick Foles will sign with the Jaguars.
The #Jaguars had Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles as their top target. Per @MikeGarafolo he gets 4 years and $88M. Large.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 11, 2019
Adam Schefter reported the deal includes just over $50 million in guarantees.
— 4:24: Per Adam Schefter, free-agent slot receiver Jamison Crowder is expected to sign with the Jets. He stood out as a potential target for the Patriots.
Former Redskins' WR Jamison Crowder intends to sign with the N.Y. Jets, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2019
— 3:21: Trey Flowers is expected to sign with the Lions when free agency begins, per Adam Schefter. Check out the full story for more details.
Patriots DE Trey Flowers intends to sign with Detroit, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2019
— 3:15: Former Giants safety Landon Collins is a very rich man.
According to Ian Rapoport, Collins will sign a massive deal with the Redskins when the league year official opens Wednesday.
Sources: Former #Giants star S Landon Collins is signing a 6-year deal for a whopping $84M with the rival #Redskins. Hard to imagine a box safety with this kind of deal after last year’s slow safety market. This moves the market dramatically.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 11, 2019
— 3:00: The market for Ravens linebacker C.J. Mosley appears to be strong.
Pro Football Talk reports the Browns are among the teams interested in signing Mosley, and there have been multiple reports that the Redskins are looking to clear space to make a run at him as well. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network adds the Jets, Lions, Colts and Eagles have also expressed interest.
— 2:43: The Lions are closing in on a deal with former Patriots CB Justin Coleman that will make him the highest-paid nickel corner in the NFL, per Tom Pelissero.
The #Lions are closing in on a deal with former #Seahawks CB Justin Coleman that will make him the NFL's highest-paid nickel, source said. Big addition for Matt Patricia's defense.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 11, 2019
— 2:00: It’s no secret that the Dolphins could look to move on from quarterback Ryan Tannehill, and it sounds like he could reunite with his old head coach if that happens.
According to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, Tannehill could land with the New York Jets as a backup to second-year quarterback Sam Darnold. Tannehill’s former coach in Miami, Adam Gase, is the new head coach of the Jets.
Store this away: if the Dolphins move on from Ryan Tannehill, @mortreport notes on NFL LIVE to keep an eye on the Jets and Adam Gase as a landing spot as a back-up to Sam Darnold.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 11, 2019
— 1:46: Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reports that linebacker Kwon Alexander will sign with the 49ers. Ian Rapoport says it’s a four-year deal worth $54 million.
Kwon Alexander will sign with the 49ers, per source.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) March 11, 2019
Source: The #49ers are signing LB Kwon Alexander to a 4-year deal worth $54M.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 11, 2019
The deal includes $27 million in guarantees, according to Adam Schefter.
— 1:40: Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reported Monday that there are differing opinions in the New York Jets front office about whether or not they should sign Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell , but Mike Florio with Pro Football Talk disputes that report.
Florio said the Jets are “unified on their approach to the soon-to-be-former Steelers standout,” but said it’s not necessarily clear if that means the Jets will pursue Bell in free agency.
— 1:25: While it’s still unclear if DeSean Jackson will be cut in Tampa Bay or traded, it appears he will return to the Philadelphia Eagles, where he began his career.
DeSean Jackson and @Eagles are destined for each other again, barring the unforeseen, as @Tim_McManus and @JennaLaineESPN reported last night.
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) March 11, 2019
— 1:06: Ian Rapoport tweets that the Bills are signing free-agent CB Kevin Johnson.
The #Bills are expected to add free agent CB Kevin Johnson, source said, giving them a former first-rounder in the secondary. The deal is pending a final review of the contract.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 11, 2019
— 1:04 p.m.: Wide receiver DeSean Jackson tweeted an apparent goodbye message to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, despite being under contract for 2019. There are conflicting reports about whether the Bucs are releasing Jackson, indicating that a trade is also possible.
Tampa it was a great experience, but things didn’t work out !! Looking forward to my next destination .. ???? ???? Stay Tuned #0ne0fone https://t.co/dNsVXC3RMZ
— Desean Jackson (@DeSeanJackson11) March 11, 2019
— 12:39 p.m.: According to Jeff Howe, the Giants remain in trade talks involving WR Odell Beckham Jr.
The Giants are still involved in trade discussions with Odell Beckham Jr., according to a source. One of the league’s best wide receivers remains on the market.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) March 11, 2019
— 12:31 p.m.: The Bills have had internal discussions about potentially pursuing defensive end Trey Flowers in free agency, per ESPN’s Josina Anderson. They previously discussed targeting free-agent pass rushers that ended up getting the franchise tag.
I'm told there have been some level of discussions within the #Bills on impending FA DE Trey Flowers. Gathering of opinions, was the tone conveyed at this point. Other potential targets that peaked interest in similar discussions, are mired in a tag situation.
— ig: josinaanderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 11, 2019
— 12:31 p.m.: Per Adam Schefter, the Broncos have picked up the option on WR Emmanuel Sanders.
Denver officially picked up the option on WR Emanuel Sanders today.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2019
— 12:23 p.m.: According to Field Yates, the Eagles are re-signing left tackle Jason Peters to a one-year deal for 2019.
The Eagles have agreed to terms with OT Jason Peters on a one-year contract.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 11, 2019
— 12:09 p.m.: Tackle Trent Brown is expected to sign a four-year deal with the Oakland Raiders worth $66 million, according to Adam Schefter. The deal includes $36.75 million guaranteed and makes him the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history.
Former Patriots’ OT Trent Brown intends to sign a four-year, $66 million contract that includes $36.75 million guaranteed with the Oakland Raiders, per source, making him highest paid OL in NFL history.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2019
— 11:38 a.m.: Mike Giardi reports that the Patriots had conversations with edge defender John Simon about a possible return. Simon performed admirably in a reserve role as a midseason acquisition, breaking up a pass in the Super Bowl.
The #Patriots have had conversations with DE/OLB John Simon about a return. He got 6 million from the #Colts in 2017 so this could get too pricey.
— Michael Giardi (@MikeGiardi) March 11, 2019
— 11:27 a.m.: According to Ian Rapoport, the Eagles are signing free-agent defensive tackle Malik Jackson to a three-year deal worth $30 million.
The #Eagles are signing DT Malik Jackson on a 3-year, $30M deal to give them a capable anchor next to Fletcher Cox. pic.twitter.com/F7DKyNGwSy
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 11, 2019
— 10:38 a.m.: Ian Rapoport says to keep an eye on the Oakland Raiders as a potential destination for Patriots left tackle Trent Brown. The Texans are also looking hard at Brown, who is expected to become the highest-paid tackle on this year’s market.
Keep an eye on the #Raiders as OT Trent Brown's market heats up. Internally, he's one of their top targets in free agency. pic.twitter.com/xIalBaf4fw
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 11, 2019
— 8:08 a.m.: Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports believes that the Dolphins and Lions are “big on” Trey Flowers as he heads for free agency. The Patriots appear comfortable letting him explore the open market, where the strongest interest has apparently come from a pair of teams led by ex-Patriots coaches.
Will be a ton of action on pass rushers this week. DET and MIA are big on Flowers. Hear IND, OAK, SF, NYJ among those courting Z. Smith. Some Ravens players think Suggs heading to AZ. Cam Wake could be in line for $10M/yr or more.
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) March 11, 2019
— 8:02 a.m.: Free-agent WR Danny Amendola is signing with the Detroit Lions, reuniting him with Matt Patricia and Bob Quinn. He and the Patriots reportedly had mutual interest, but Amendola ultimately chose Detroit’s offer, which is for one year and a maximum value of $5.75 million.
The #Lions plan to sign former #Patriots and #Dolphins WR Danny Amendola to a 1-year deal that includes $4.5M guaranteed base, source said. With incentives, that can bring him to $5.75M. Great addition to the locker room.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 11, 2019
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