Legal Tampering Recap: Monday in NFL free agency

Coronavirus be damned. The show must go on in the football world, and now free agency is going to be like the Super Bowl. The entire sports universe is watching.

Follow along with 985TheSportsHub.com as the legal tampering period opens in the National Football League. NFL free agency and the 2020 league year officially starts on Wednesday, and plenty of news around it has already been reported.

Stay tuned for the latest involving Tom Brady, the Patriots, and the rest of their free agent moves, as well as major news and rumors across the NFL. We'll have everything that comes out on Twitter here, all in one place. And if anything breaks involving the Patriots, you'll also be able to hear instant reactions to it on the air at 98.5 The Sports Hub starting at 6 a.m. on Toucher & Rich.

Read below for a rolling recap of the biggest free agent deals, franchise tags, and other major roster moves across the NFL from Monday.

Veteran wide receiver Randall Cobb has agreed to a three-year, $27 million deal with the Houston Texans. First to report it? His former Green Bay Packers teammate, James Jones, who is now an analyst for the NFL Network.

Amari Cooper is staying in Dallas. The Cowboys have agreed in principle on a nice round five-year, $100 million deal with the star wideout.

Jay Glazer with a Monday night bomb. He was first to report that the Buffalo Bills have acquired wide receiver Stefon Diggs from the Minnesota Vikings. The Bills sent their 2020 first-round pick as part of a package for Diggs and a seventh-rounder. The full details of the trade are below, via Adam Schefter.

The Seahawks are re-signing defensive tackle Jarran Reed to a two-year deal for $23 million. Same general numbers that Devin McCourty got with his deal in New England.

Linebacker Jamie Collins is reuniting with Matt Patricia in Detroit, reportedly agreeing to a three-year deal with the Lions. Full details below, via Ian Rapoport.

Former Steelers nose tackle Javon Hargrave is signing with the Eagles for three years and $39 million, including $26 million guarantees.

The Miami Dolphins are signing ex-Patriots linebacker Kyle Van Noy to a four-year deal worth $51 million. Van Noy reunites with Brian Flores, Dolphins head coach and former Patriots linebackers coach.

Tight end Jimmy Graham is signing with the Chicago Bears for two years and $16 million. If the Patriots wanted to sign a TE like Eric Ebron, it would likely take something similar.

As first reported by Ian Rapoport, the Dolphins are signing former Cowboys cornerback Byron Jones. He becomes the highest-paid corner in the league with a five-year deal for $82.5 million.

The Ravens are signing former Rams defensive tackle Michael Brockers to a three-year deal worth $30 million, bolstering a defensive line that already included trade addition Calais Campbell.

The Athletic's Connor Hughes is reporting that the Jets are in discussions with linebacker Kyle Van Noy. After three-plus years in New England, Van Noy appears likely to cash in with a long-term deal elsewhere.

The Giants are signing former Panthers cornerback James Bradberry to a three-year deal worth $45 million and $32 million guaranteed.

The Browns are signing quarterback Case Keenum for three years and $18 million. A decent veteran backup to support Baker Mayfield.

The Browns have agreed to a deal with former Titans tackle Jack Conklin. The deal is for three years and $42 million, including $30 million guaranteed.

ESPN's Dianna Russini has made Tom Brady's free-agent status more mysterious. Her team sources from clubs who are showing interest in Brady have indicated that no one knows what the QB is going to do.

The Colts have made the biggest trade of the day, acquiring all-pro defensive tackle DeForest Buckner from the 49ers in exchange for the 13th overall pick in the 2020 draft. They have also agreed to a deal with Buckner for $21 million per season, which makes him the second-highest-paid DT in NFL history behind Aaron Donald.

The Bucs are re-signing star pass-rusher Jason Pierre-Paul to a two-year deal worth $27 million.

According to Mike Giardi of the NFL Network, the Bucs "have made the intentions to Tom Brady loud and clear." Sounds like they're offering a lot of money. That may be the only way to convince him to choose Tampa over New England.

Adam Schefter has tweeted a new trade. The Ravens are sending tight end Hayden Hurst and a 2020 fourth-round pick to the Falcons for second and fifth-round picks in 2020.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Dolphins are expected to sign Shaq Lawson. Lawson had 16.5 sacks for the Bills over the last four seasons.

ESPN's Vaughn McClure has the details for Austin Hooper's deal with the Browns: four years, $44 million, $23 million guaranteed.

The Colts are having discussions with quarterback Philip Rivers. He's a "clear target" but they need to agree on the money.

The Dallas Cowboys and TE Blake Jarwin have agreed to a three-year, $24.25 contract extension, as reported by Ian Rapoport.

The Raiders are signing former Bears linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski. The 26-year-old West Virginia product broke the news himself tweeting a picture of the Raiders new stadium in Las Vegas. Reporters later confirmed the move.

With Drew Brees still technically unsigned, the New Orleans Saints have placed a first-round RFA tag on QB/OW Taysom Hill. Reports in recent weeks have indicated the Saints believe Hill is capable of becoming the organization's franchise quarterback once Brees retires.

The details on the DeAndre Hopkins deal is in. He'll be heading to the desert along with a fourth-round pick for David Johnson, a second-rounder in 2021, and a fourth-rounder this year. Houston will take the remaining $20 million on Johnson's contract.

ESPN's Dianna Russini confirms the Denver Broncos will not be participating in the Tom Brady sweepstakes. The team used a 2019 second-round pick on Drew Lock, who is reportedly viewed very highly by the organization.

All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is on the move ... not to New England, though. He's headed to the Cardinals in a swap for running back David Johnson.

The 49ers are locking up DL Arik Armstead on a five-year deal for up to $85 million.

The Cardinals and Texans are finalizing a trade that will send running back David Johnson to Houston.

The Dolphins have agreed to a three-year, $30 million deal with offensive tackle Ereck Flowers.

The Steelers announced the release of three players, Mark Barron, Anthony Chickillo, and Johnny Holton. This move opens up about $11 million in cap for Pittsburgh.

Per ESPN's Josina Anderson, wide receiver Phillip Dorsett has cited the Jets, Seahawks, Chargers, 49ers, and Raiders as teams showing interest in him. He's set to become a free agent and appears to be on his way out of New England.

According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the Browns are closing in on a deal for tight end Austin Hooper that will make him the highest-paid at his position in football. That should top the $10.6 million set to be earned by Chargers tight end Hunter Henry.

According to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, the Bucs' interest in Tom Brady is "very real and sincere." But La Canfora notes that it remains to be seen if Brady "reciprocates." Could take a knock-your-socks-off kind of package for the Bucs to actually pry Brady away from New England.

According to Jeff Howe of The Athletic, the Patriots turning around and trading the franchised Joe Thuney is still a possibility, but it's a fluid situation.

The legal tampering window is officially underway, and Ian Rapoport kicks it off with his latest details on Tom Brady. The Chargers and Buccaneers are expected to "inquire" about Brady, but the Patriots do want him back.

Adam Schefter pegs the Colts as interested in quarterback Philip Rivers, but they're expected to look at other QB options. Does that put them in play for Tom Brady?

The New York Giants are placing the franchise tag on defensive tackle Leonard Williams, the team announced via social media. The Giants acquired Williams from the Jets and this year's trade deadline for third and fifth round picks.

The Patriots are reportedly placing the franchise tag on starting left guard Joe Thuney. Jim McBridge of the Boston Globe was first to report the surprising news.

The Cardinals have placed the transition tag on running back Kenyan Drake. Over The Cap projects him to cost just over $10 million.

According to ESPN's Jenna Laine, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have agreed to a one-year deal with tight end Antony Auclair. The 26-year-old tight end was undrafted in 2017.

NFL Network's Michael Silver is reporting former Patriots wide receiver Brandin Cooks could be on the move for the third time in four years. The 26-year-old wide receiver signed a 5-year, $81 million contract extension with the Rams before the 2018 season.

Running back Kareem Hunt will receive a second-round tender from the Cleveland Browns according to ESPN's Field Yates. Hunt was suspended for part of last season, and back in January was pulled over with an open alcohol container and drug paraphernalia in the car. The team also released 31-year-old safety Morgan Burnett, who has a dead cap number of just over $1 million.

The Indianapolis Colts are releasing defensive tackle Margus Hunt, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Hunt was due to make $4 million in 2020.

The Dallas Cowboys are placing the franchise tag on quarterback Dak Prescott. He'll cost a projected $26.6 million next season. First reported by David Moore of the Dallas Morning News.

Ian Rapoport has the full details for the Vikings' two-year extension with QB Kirk Cousins. It's two years and $66 million.

The Titans are franchise-tagging running back Derrick Henry. His projected number is $12.3 million.

The Bengals are placing the franchise tag on veteran star wide receiver A.J. Green. He is projected to cost about $18.3 million in 2020.

The Vikings have agreed to a two-year extension with starting quarterback Kirk Cousins.

The Falcons are releasing running back Devonta Freeman, saving $3 million against the cap. One of the league's more dynamic backs is now on the open market.

The Steelers are tagging stud outside linebacker Bud Dupree. If he's tagged as a linebacker, his projected number is $16.1 million.

The NFL Network's Ian Rapoport names the Chargers and Bucs as teams to be interested in making a "run" at Tom Brady. For those who may believe Bill Belichick doesn't want Brady anymore, Rapoport says, "It seems to be the Patriots who have the most interest." He believes that the most important thing for Brady is, simply, where he wants to be and what gives him the best chance to win.

According to his agency, free-agent linebacker Christian Kirksey has agreed to a two-year deal with the Green Bay Packers worth $16 million.

The Chiefs are placing the franchise tag on star defensive tackle Chris Jones. Per Over The Cap, the tag for DTs is projected at about $15.3 million.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are retaining star edge rusher Shaquil Barrett with the franchise tag. Over The Cap projects his cap number to be $19.1 million.

The Giants are expected to place the franchise tag on defensive end Leonard Williams, according to Adam Schefter.

The Chiefs are picking up the option on running back Damien Williams. Now entering his seventh season, Williams put together an MVP-caliber performance in Super Bowl LIV with 133 yards from scrimmage and two total touchdowns.

-- The Patriots signed safety Devin McCourty to a contract extension, which the team officially announced. Per multiple reports, it's a two-year deal worth $23 million and should keep McCourty a Patriot for the rest of his career.

-- Quarterback Ryan Tannehill is staying in Tennessee, taking the Titans off the table in the Tom Brady sweepstakes. Tannehill is signing a four-year deal worth $119 million. Reports indicate that this was the plan all along and the Titans weren't really interested in Brady.

-- The 49ers are out of the running for Brady. They're reportedly not interested in moving on from Jimmy Garoppolo to sign his former incumbent.

-- The Patriots shored up their special teams units and locker room leadership with a new two-year extension for longtime special teams ace Matthew Slater. Like McCourty, Slater is now likely to spend his entire career with the Pats.

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