We are now into day 3 of the “legal tampering” period ahead of the start of 2023 NFL free agency. Plenty of contracts and trades have already been agreed upon, but none of them can actually be processed until Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET. Teams can also now bring in free agents for visits.
There are still plenty of big names available, including Lamar Jackson, Bobby Wagner, and Orlando Brown Jr. We’ll have you covered throughout the day on the biggest news and rumors right here. Scroll below for the latest.
Patriots Out On DeAndre Hopkins
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 12: DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Arizona Cardinals fumbles the ball against the New England Patriots during the third quarter of the game at State Farm Stadium on December 12, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
If you were hoping that the Patriots’ addition of JuJu Smith-Schuster was going to be paired with a trade for DeAndre Hopkins, bad news: “as of now,” they “aren’t in it” for Hopkins, according to Albert Breer.
That’s a sign that Smith-Schuster is going to count as the Patriots’ “big” wide receiver move. But considering that he’s essentially a replacement for Jakobi Meyers, and that Nelson Agholor is also a free agent, the Pats could use one more big addition to that room, whether it’s via trade or the draft.
Patriots Signing JuJu Smith-Schuster
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – JANUARY 01: JuJu Smith-Schuster #9 of the Kansas City Chiefs warms up prior to the game against the Denver Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium on January 01, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
The Patriots are signing a wide receiver. As reported by Taylor Bisciotti and Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the Pats are signing former Chiefs and Steelers receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster.
According to Adam Schefter, Smith-Schuster is essentially getting the same deal that Jakobi Meyers got with the Raiders: three years, up to $33 million.
Patriots Looking At Linebacker Depth In Free Agency
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – NOVEMBER 13: Nicholas Morrow #53 of the Chicago Bears looks on against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field on November 13, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The Patriots are now linked to an external option in free agency for the linebacker room. According to Mark Daniels of MassLive, they’re “showing interest” in pending free-agent LB Nicholas Morrow.
Morrow started all 17 games at linebacker for the Bears in 2022, and logged 116 tackles, to go with an interception and two total pass breakups. He’s primarily played in the box and the slot in his career. He had 526 snaps categorized as “coverage” in 2022, according to Pro Football Focus.
Ultimately, Morrow would be a replacement for Mack Wilson if he ends up playing elsewhere. The Patriots can still use an off-the-ball linebacker to add to their group, so Morrow would be a solid addition in that department.
Aaron Rodgers Intends To Play For Jets
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – NOVEMBER 13: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates after a play during overtime against the Dallas Cowboys at Lambeau Field on November 13, 2022 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
In his own roundabout, tedious, annoying way, Aaron Rodgers confirmed on theΒ Pat McAfee ShowΒ that he intends to play for the New York Jets in 2023, and always did intend to do that. So, it’s just a matter of finalizing the deal at this point. Rodgers is headed to the AFC East, where the Patriots will have to play him and a talented young Jets roster twice a year.
Patriots Calling About Receiver Trades
Nov 27, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers in the first half at State Farm Stadium. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The Patriots chatter is starting to heat up on the wide receiver market. According to Jeff Howe, they’ve called both the Cardinals about DeAndre Hopkins and the Broncos about Jerry Jeudy.Β They also attended Odell Beckham Jr.’s recent open workout for teams.
Howe did add: “the price point remains a key component.”
Now, while it’s understandable that the Patriots wouldn’t just throw whatever guys want at them without a second thought, they’re also not exactly in a position to convince a receiver to take less money like they would when they had Tom Brady and were in the Super Bowl every other year. So for fans hoping for them to make a real upgrade to their receiver group, this report will bring mixed feelings.
Patriots To Sign Veteran OT Riley Reiff
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 20: Riley Reiff #71 of the Chicago Bears celebrates with David Montgomery #32 of the Chicago Bears after Montgomery’s touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 20, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The Patriots are making another move to bolster their offensive line. As first reported by ESPN’s Dianna Russini, they are expected to sign veteran tackle Riley Reiff.
At 34 years old, Reiff certainly isn’t the same player he was when he entered the league as a first-round pick in 2012. But he obviously wants to keep playing and should at least provide experience and depth in what was a thin tackle room to begin free agency. Perhaps Bill Belichick can get the most out of Reiff and restore him to something closer to his level of play earlier in his career.
Patriots Retain Cornerback, Tackle
Aug 19, 2022; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots offensive tackle Yodny Cajuste (72) lines up during the first half of a preseason game against the Carolina Panthers at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
The Patriots continue to focus on retaining their internal depth to start the free agency period. The latest is they’re tendering a pair of restricted free agents, cornerback Myles Bryant and tackle Yodny Cajuste. Ben Volin of the Boston Globe confirmed that Cajuste is being tendered, while ESPN’s Mike Reiss had previously reported on Bryant.
Hayden Hurst Headed To Panthers
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – JANUARY 29: Hayden Hurst #88 of the Cincinnati Bengals carries the ball against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second quarter in the AFC Championship Game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 29, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
A busy off-season in Carolina continues: they’re signing tight end Hayden Hurst, according to Ian Rapoport. Hurst will likely be the No. 1 tight end for whomever starts at quarterback for the Panthers in 2023. They traded up to the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft, but it’s unclear which QB they plan to select there.
Patriots Add Year To McCourty’s Contract, Create Cap Space
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 24: Devin McCourty #32 of the New England Patriots looks on after the game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on October 24, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
According to Field Yates, the Patriots are tacking a year onto Devin McCourty’s contract for 2024, even though the veteran safety is retiring. The year is for the minimum salary of $1.165 million. Essentially, the Pats are taking this year’s dead money and spreading it over two years.
Per Yates, the move creates just over $5 million in cap space for 2023, while adding $6.2M in dead money for 2024. Cap space, as we all know, can be maneuvered in a number of different ways, as Bill Belichick said.
