This is the day 2 tracker from Tuesday. Click here for the latest free agency tracker.
As we hit day 2 of the “legal tampering” period ahead of NFL free agency, several big names remain available. Tuesday could be the day we get news on Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, Chiefs tackle Orlando Brown Jr., and many others.
We have you covered every step of the way here at 985TheSportsHub.com. Scroll below for the latest NFL free agency news & rumors as we head into the second day of talks.
Patriots Re-Signing Jabrill Peppers
Dec 18, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; New England Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers (3) warms up before a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
As first reported by Adam Schefter, the Patriots are re-signing safety Jabrill Peppers to a two-year deal. Peppers was active for all 17 games in 2022, including five starts, as a reserve in the Patriots’ deep safety corps. With Devin McCourty retired and Peppers another year removed from his torn ACL in 2021, the 27-year-old figures to play a bigger role in the defense in 2023.
Andy Dalton to Carolina
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 08: Andy Dalton #14 of the New Orleans Saints throws the ball during the third quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Caesars Superdome on January 08, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Carolina (likely) took care of filling its starting quarterback job by trading for the first overall pick last week. The team has now secured a quality backup as well, signing long-time Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton to a two-year, $10 million deal according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Dalton spent last year with the Saints.
Colts part ways with Matt Ryan
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – AUGUST 20: Matt Ryan #2 of the Indianapolis Colts looks on before the preseason game against the Detroit Lions at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 20, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
The Colts’ QB carousel continues. A year after acquiring Matt Ryan in a trade for a third round pick, the Colts are releasing the 37-year-old quarterback according to Zach Klein of WSB in Atlanta. Indianapolis has the fourth pick in the draft, and is expected to be looking to use that pick to select a quarterback.
James Bradberry returns to Eagles
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 08: James Bradberry #24 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates an incomplete pass during the first quarter against the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field on January 08, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
James Bradberry was a big part of the Eagles’ defense last year, and Philly is keeping him around. He’s signing a three-year, $38 million extension with $20 million guaranteed according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Patriots Sign A Tackle
Aug 11, 2022; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos offensive tackle Calvin Anderson (76) during training camp at the UCHealth Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
The Pats have made a move on the offensive line. According to Mike Garafolo, they’ve agreed to a two-year deal with former Broncos tackle Calvin Anderson.
Anderson played 14 games for the Broncos in 2022, including seven starts at left tackle. He’s a former undrafted free agent who actually began his career with the Patriots in 2019, but was waived in May of that year. He spent some time with the Jets before seeing the field for the past three seasons in Denver.
Anderson feels like a depth move more than anything. The Patriots now have Anderson, Trent Brown, Conor McDermott, and Andrew Stueber on the roster at tackle for 2023. It’s feeling more and more likely that if the Pats make a bigger move at tackle, it’ll come in the draft. But they seem relatively comfortable sticking with Brown and McDermott as their starting tackles into 2023.
Saints Restructure WR Michael Thomas’ Contract
Saint wide receiver Michael Thomas. (Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports)
According to Adam Schefter, the Saints have restructured the contract of WR Michael Thomas to retain him on a one-year, incentive-laden deal. It’s for a base value of $10 million that can grow to as much as $15M through the incentives.
Thomas has been wracked by injuries over the past two seasons, playing just 10 games total from 2021-22. But he led the NFL in receptions in the previous two seasons, and could still be a high-end guy if he can stay on the field. He and Chris Olave have a chance to be a formidable WR duo for new Saints QB Derek Carr.
Aaron Rodgers Gives Jets List Of Players To Sign
MIAMI, FLORIDA – APRIL 7: Aaron Rodgers, professional football player, and investor, speaks during the Bitcoin 2022 Conference at the Miami Beach Convention Center on April 7, 2022 in Miami, Florida. The worlds largest bitcoin conference runs from April 6-9, expecting over 30,000 people in attendance and over 7 million live stream viewers worldwide.(Photo by Marco Bello/Getty Images)
Aaron Rodgers is apparently an aspiring GM. According to ESPN’s Dianna Russini, Rodgers gave the New York Jets a list of free agent pass-catchers to target. The headliner is Odell Beckham Jr., who recently held a personal workout for interested teams. But the list also includes some familiar Packers targets: Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, Marcedes Lewis. The Packers were already rumored to be in on Lazard and Cobb, but Beckham would likely represent an upgrade over them.
Chargers Allow Austin Ekeler To Seek Trade
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – JANUARY 14: Austin Ekeler #30 of the Los Angeles Chargers carries the ball against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of the game in the AFC Wild Card playoff game at TIAA Bank Field on January 14, 2023 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
The Chargers have granted permission to RB Austin Ekeler to seek a trade after they couldn’t make progress on an extension, according to Adam Schefter. The previous report was that Ekeler had asked permission, so he has now received it.
It’ll be interesting to see which teams are willing to part with what would presumably be good draft capital to acquire Ekeler, and then how much he would make in an extension. He SHOULD become the highest-paid back in the league. That would give him an average annual value north of $16 million, which is what Christian McCaffrey currently has. But Ekeler has been good enough to warrant a market-topping contract with whomever acquires him.
Patriots Tender CB Myles Bryant For One-Year Deal
Aug 19, 2022; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Myles Bryant (27) picks up the fumble against the Carolina Panthers in the first half at Gillette Stadium. Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
The Patriots are retaining depth at cornerback, this time with a restricted free agent. According to Mike Reiss, the Pats are tendering slot CB Myles Bryant at the right-of-first-refusal level, which amounts to a one-year deal for $2.6 million.
Jets Looking At WR Randall Cobb
GREEN BAY, WI – SEPTEMBER 09: Randall Cobb of the Green Bay Packers runs in for a touchdown after catching a pass from Aaron Rodgers during the fourth quarter of a game against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
The New York Jets are still doing all they can to make themselves a desirable spot for Aaron Rodgers. According to Adam Schefter, they are looking into signing veteran receiver Randall Cobb, in addition to closing in on a deal with Allen Lazard.
Cobb has played 12 seasons in the NFL, 10 of which were with the Packers and Rodgers, between two different stints. The Jets and Packers reportedly have the basic framework of a Rodgers trade in place, and it’s basically down to Rodgers deciding on his own future. If he does end up in New York, he will have his share of weapons, between the dynamic/explosive (Garrett Wilson, Breece Hall), and the reliable/familiar (Lazard, Cobb).
Dolphins Retain Top Running Back
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 04: Raheem Mostert #31 of the Miami Dolphins runs the ball during the third quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Levi’s Stadium on December 04, 2022 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
The Dolphins’ offense is all about speed, and they re-signed one of their fastest players on Tuesday. As first reported by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, running back Raheem Mostert will be returning to Miami on a two-year, $5.6 million deal that includes $2.2 million guaranteed.
Kelvin Beachum Returns to the Cardinals
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO – NOVEMBER 21: Kelvin Beachum #68 of the Arizona Cardinals looks on during the first half of a game against the San Francisco 49ers at Estadio Azteca on November 21, 2022 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The majority of the top-tier tackles signed on Monday, and now the next group is beginning to sign as well. That includes Kelvin Beachum, who is re-signing with the Arizona Cardinals on a two-year, $5.15 million deal according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
Raiders Land Jakobi Meyers
Oct 9, 2022; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
The best available wide receiver is off the market. Jakobi Meyers is headed to the Las Vegas Raides on a three-year deal worth up to $33 million with $21M guaranteed, as reported by Ian Rapoport.
Meyers is reunited with Josh McDaniels, who coached and developed Meyers for his first three seasons in New England. The Raiders get a big slot receiver for new quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, and a fine complement for No. 1 target Davante Adams. This could leave the future up in the air for Hunter Renfrow.
As for the Patriots, we’ll see if they dip into free agency with someone else, but the market was already thin. Rapoport later said he expects the market to “move” now that the Meyers domino has fallen. More on Meyers here.
Texans Acquire Former Patriots Guard
Dec 6, 2021; Orchard Park, New York, USA; New England Patriots guard Shaq Mason (69) prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
The Bucs have found a trade partner for former Patriots guard Shaq Mason. They are trading him to the Texans, according to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. Tampa was prepared to release Mason if they couldn’t make a trade happen, so they will avoid that and Mason will suit up for Houston in 2023, his third team in as many seasons.
Patriots Interested In Bringing Mack Wilson Back
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – NOVEMBER 20: Mack Wilson Sr. #30 of the New England Patriots reacts after a sack against the New York Jets during the second half at Gillette Stadium on November 20, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
The Patriots are one of four teams showing interest in linebacker Mack Wilson, according to Cleveland-based reporter Brad Stainbrook. Wilson is also drawing interest from the Browns, Texans, and Cowboys.
New England originally acquired Wilson last off-season in a trade with the Browns, swapping out Chase Winovich in the deal. Winovich agreed to a deal with the Texans on Monday, leaving an opening on both the Browns and Patriots’ rosters after last year’s trade.
Wilson showed flashes of playmaking versatility in 2022 for the Pats, but if they want to add a coverage linebacker, they could use an upgrade at that spot. If they bring the 25-year-old Wilson back, that would be a vote of confidence in his ability to take a step forward for them in 2023.
Jets Looking At Aaron Rodgers’ Favorite Target From Green Bay
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Allen Lazard (13) pulls down a touchdown reception against Minnesota Vikings defensive back Kris Boyd (29) in the second quarter during their football game Sunday, January 2, 2022, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
The Jets are “actively working to reach an agreement” with Packers wide receiver Allen Lazard, according to Adam Schefter. Lazard led the Packers in catches, targets, and yards, with six touchdowns in 2022. So, it certainly looks like the Jets are doing their best to woo Aaron Rodgers.
Bills Restructure Josh Allen, Von Miller Contracts
BUFFALO, NEW YORK – JANUARY 15: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills during the first quarter against the New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium on January 15, 2022 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
Cap space, as we all know, can be maneuvered in a number of different ways. I heard that somewhere. But the Bills just demonstrated that to the football world, making $32 million in cap space go poof by restructuring the contracts of quarterback Josh Allen and pass rusher Von Miller. Field Yates reported the moves.
This looks like the precursor to a potentially big move for the Bills, who are in danger of losing safety Jordan Poyer in free agency. We shall see.
