NFL Free Agency Day 1 Recap: News on the Patriots and the NFL as the 2019 league year began
Bill Belichick looks on before a New England Patriots game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Gillette Stadium on October 29, 2017. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
From the NFL Newswire at 985TheSportsHub.com
What will Bill Belichick and the Patriots do now? After two days of legal tampering, it was all quiet on the Foxboro front. But now, NFL free agency officially begins on Wednesday at 4 p.m. Expect even more news and rumors to emerge about the Patriots and other teams across the league.
Check below for a recap of our live updates as they came in throughout the day on Wednesday. Click here for updates from day 1 of legal tampering, and here for day 2.
Live Updates
— 6:00 PM: The Patriots are reportedly looking at adding on the defensive line and have “inquired” about Jets DE Brandon Copeland, according to Doug Kyed.
The Patriots have inquired about free-agent DE Brandon Copeland, per a source. Copeland had five sacks with the Jets last season.
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) March 13, 2019
— 5:52 PM: One of the notable running backs is off the board, as former Falcon Tevin Coleman is headed to San Francisco, according to Adam Schefter.
49ers signing Tevin Coleman to a two-year, $10 million deal, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2019
The move reunites Coleman with 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, who was the offensive coordinator in Atlanta before taking over in San Francisco.
— 5:44 PM: The Chiefs have already added Tyrann Mathieu to their defense, and they might not be done making moves.
Source: #Eagles CB Ronald Darby is expected to visit the #Chiefs tonight. If all goes well, he could sign considering the serious interest.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 13, 2019
— 5:29 PM: LB Mychal Kendricks is headed back to Seattle.
#Seahawks have re-signed LB Mychal Kendricks, source says.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 13, 2019
The deal is reportedly for 1-year and $4 million.
— 5:23 PM: Matthew Slater will return to the Patriots in 2019 after the team picked up his 2019 option, according to Field Yates.
Patriots special team ace Matthew Slater had his 2019 option picked up by the team. He earns a $400,000 roster bonus today as well. One of New England's top leaders and most respected players.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 13, 2019
— 4:56 PM: The Patriots cut WR Corey Coleman last year, but apparently the Giants value him in the post-Odell Beckham Jr. era.
https://twitter.com/caplannfl/status/1105933403705303041
The 1st round RFA tender is an original round tender, because Coleman was a first round pick when he entered the league.
— 4:47 PM: The Patriots will not bring WR Cody Hollister back in 2019, according to Mike Reiss.
The Patriots did not extend a qualifying offer to WR Cody Hollister, which makes him a free agent.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) March 13, 2019
— 4:39 PM: The Saints and Dolphins appear to be in the market for quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.
A league source says that QB Teddy Bridgewater is visiting the Dolphins at their training facility this afternoon. Reports of him signing with the Saints yesterday were premature
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) March 13, 2019
— 4:24 PM: Geronimo!!!
Packers will be retaining WR Geronimo Allison on a 1-year deal. They did tender him today. Would have been a coveted RFA
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) March 13, 2019
— 4:19 PM: Joe Flacco’s trade to Denver is now official, weeks after the Broncos and Ravens struck a deal to send the 2012 Super Bowl champion to the Mile High City.
Broncos officially acquired quarterback Joe Flacco from the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for their fourth-round selection (113th overall) in the 2019 NFL Draft.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2019
— 4:16 PM: Former Chiefs safety Eric Berry will be looking for a new home, according to Adam Schefter.
Chiefs released five-time Pro Bowl safety Eric Berry. Had Berry been on KC’s roster Friday, $7.25 million of his salary would have become fully guaranteed.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2019
— 4:13 PM: Former Patriots offensive lineman Cameron Fleming is staying in Dallas.
#Cowboys OT Cam Feming is staying in Dallas, as @toddarcher said. Source adds it's a two-year deal worth up to $8.5m.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 13, 2019
— 4:10 PM: Make of this what you will, but the Patriots could be “kicking the tires” on tight end Jared Cook.
#Patriots kicking the tires on Jared Cook, according to @RapSheet
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) March 13, 2019
Cook is coming off a strong year with the Raiders, hauling in 6 touchdowns and 896 receiving yards. What does this mean for Rob Gronkowski? Ian Rapoport had an update just after the start of the new league year.
In discussing the TE market, I passed my along what I know on #Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski: His agent says he has not made a firm decision, but the team is tentatively planning as if he'll be there in 2019 and some people close to him believe he wants to play. pic.twitter.com/YRyC36Xaoi
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 13, 2019
–– 4:00 PM: Free agency is officially open across the NFL, and Ziggy Ansah has two visits planned, including one in Buffalo, according to Adam Schefter.
Lions free-agent DE Ziggy Ansah is scheduled to visit Buffalo first, then New Orleans second, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2019
— 3:50 PM: No surprise, the Blake Bortles era is about to end in Jacksonville, according to Ian Rapoport.
In 10 minutes, the league year will start, trades will become official, and deals will be signed after physicals. Players will also be released, including #Jaguars QB Blake Bortles, which should be official today or tomorrow.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 13, 2019
Bortles will be replaced by Nick Foles, who is expected to sign an $88 million deal with the Jaguars.
— 2:55 PM: Adrian Peterson will return to the Redskins in 2019.
The #Redskins are re-signing RB Adrian Peterson to a 2-year deal worth $8M, sources tell me and @MikeGarafolo. His career resurgence continues in Washington.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 13, 2019
The soon to be 34-year-old Peterson put up a 1,000 yard season last year with 7 rushing touchdowns.
— 2:40 PM: The Colts and CB Pierre Desir have struck a three-year deal to keep him in Indianapolis.
Colts are giving CB Pierre Desir a 3-year, $25 million deal that includes $12 million guaranteed to return to Indianapolis, per source. https://t.co/v6AMiVtvNr
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2019
— 2:30 PM: It sounds like the Patriots were interested in bolstering their linebacking corps, according to Mike Giardi.
The #Patriots had conversations with LB Anthony Chickillo but he opted to stay in Pittsburgh with the #Steelers.
— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) March 13, 2019
The 26-year-old Chickilo is entering his fifth year in the NFL. He signed a 2-year, $8 million deal to remain in Pittsburgh.
— 2:00PM: Free-agent receiver Tyrell Williams intends to sign with the Raiders, per Adam Schefter.
Former Chargers’ WR Tyrell Williams intends to sign with the Oakland Raiders, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2019
— 1:52PM: Per Adam Caplan, John Simon’s new contract with the Patriots is complete and it’s a two-year deal.
Two year deal... https://t.co/PcO1FXm6AX
— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) March 13, 2019
— 1:40PM: According to Dianna Russini, top free-agent kicker Jason Myers is signing with the Seahawks. The Jets will now be in the market for a new kicker.
Jets Pro Bowl kicker Jason Myers left New York to join the Seattle Seahawks per source.
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) March 13, 2019
— 1:38PM: The Colts are re-signing free-agent cornerback Pierre Desir, per Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo.
The #Colts are re-signing CB Pierre Desir, per me and @MikeGarafolo.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 13, 2019
— 1:28PM: Per Ian Rapoport, the Jaguars are signing guard A.J. Cann to a three-year deal worth over $15 million.
Source: The #Jaguars are signing guard AJ Cann to a 3-year deal worth just over $15M. Added protection for new QB Nick Foles.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 13, 2019
— 1:27PM: According to Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald, top free-agent kicker Jason Myers will not be signing with the Patriots. But he has decided to sign with a new team and it will be announced soon.
If anyone is wondering about now former Jets kicker Jason Myers possibly coming to New England, don't. He's going to sign with another team. You'll hear about it soon.
— Karen Guregian (@kguregian) March 13, 2019
— 1:13PM: In a surprise move, the Chargers have swooped in and agreed to a deal with free-agent quarterback Tyrod Taylor to back up Philip Rivers. Ian Rapoport had it first.
The #Chargers with a surprise, agreeing to terms with former #Browns QB Tyrod Taylor to be their backup. pic.twitter.com/Kku8NN8ren
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 13, 2019
— 12:44PM: Patriots Update! New England is bringing back CB Jason McCourty on a two-year deal, per Mike Garafolo. Further details TBA.
CB Jason McCourty back to the #Patriots on a two-year deal, source says.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 13, 2019
— 12:13PM: Safety Earl Thomas, arguably the best overall player available to start the day, intends to sign with the Baltimore Ravens on a four-year deal worth $55 million, including $32 million guaranteed at signing and $22 million in the first season. Adam Schefter had it first.
Former Seahawks’ S Earl Thomas intends to sign a four-year, $55 million deal that includes $32 million fully guaranteed at signing with the Baltimore Ravens, league source tells ESPN. Deal includes $22 million in first nine months.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2019
— 11:30AM: According to Tom Pelissero, the Redskins are releasing linebacker Zach Brown after failing to find a trade partner. A skilled inside ‘backer ends up in the free agent pool.
The #Redskins are going to release LB Zach Brown, source said. They shopped him and multiple teams expressed interest, but couldn't strike a deal. Should sign quickly now that he's free. A @pff favorite.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 13, 2019
— 11:06AM: Per Adam Schefter, the Saints are closing in on a five-year extension for kicker Will Lutz.
Saints announced they have agreed to terms with K Wil Lutz on a five-year contract.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2019
— 9:19AM: According to Ian Rapoport, the Patriots are re-signing running back Brandon Bolden after he played one season for the Miami Dolphins.
After a one-season hiatus, Brandon Bolden is returning to the #Patriots on a 2-year deal, source said. The core special teamer and RB spent last season with the #Dolphins.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 13, 2019
— 8:20AM: The Patriots are expected to re-sign edge rusher John Simon, according to Ian Rapoport. Simon was a solid contributor as a rotational depth piece on the defensive line and broke up a pass attempt in Super Bowl LIII.
The #Patriots are expected to bring back defensive end John Simon, sources say, as the two sides are working on a deal that should be finalized today. The veteran impressed in his 11 games with the Pats after being released in Indy.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 13, 2019
— 7:04AM: Former Chiefs tight end Demetrius Harris is expected to sign with the Browns, per Adam Schefter. He was previously highlighted as a potential target for the tight end-needy Patriots.
Former Chiefs’ TE Demetrius Harris intends to sign a two-year deal with the Cleveland Browns, per source. Browns adding yet another weapon for QB Baker Mayfield.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2019
— 12:20AM: Just 20 minutes into the festivities, Adam Schefter reports that superstar running back Le’Veon Bell is expected to sign with the Patriots’ AFC East rival, the New York Jets. If quarterback Sam Darnold takes a step forward, the Jets may make this a rivalry again.
Former Steelers’ RB Le’Veon Bell plans to sign with…the New York Jets, a league source tells ESPN
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2019
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