The NFL offseason is in full swing, and 2020 NFL free agency kicks off next week. Teams can begin to negotiate with free agents on Monday afternoon, but they’re already striking deals to re-sign players — and make trades — and rumors are flowing on all the latest news across the league.
Which teams will sign the biggest free agents? What does Tom Brady’s future hold? Which teams are most active in free agency, and what are we hearing on the trade front?
We’re tracking every notable NFL free-agent signing, trade and cut of the offseason below, sorted by most recent moves at the top.
March 10
Source: Ravens G Marshal Yanda decides to retire
Marshal Yanda will announce his retirement this week, closing out one of the most decorated careers by a guard in NFL history, according to a league source. Yanda, 35, played all of his 13 seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, building a reputation based on toughness, technique and work ethic.
March 9
Source: Cowboys send QB Dak Prescott new contract proposal
With the deadline to use the franchise tag coming Thursday, the Dallas Cowboys have sent a new proposal to quarterback Dak Prescott’s agent in hopes of kick-starting earnest discussions that lead to a multiyear agreement, according to a source.
Archer: Prescott, Amari Cooper just pieces of Cowboys’ free agency puzzle
Giants TE Rhett Ellison retires after eight NFL seasons
New York Giants tight end Rhett Ellison has announced his retirement after eight NFL seasons. Ellison, 31, missed the final six games of this past season because of a concussion. He had one year remaining on a four-year deal.
Raiders release starting LB Tahir Whitehead
The Las Vegas Raiders released starting linebacker Tahir Whitehead. The move clears nearly $6 million in salary-cap space in advance of free agency.
Source: Jets to release high-priced CB Trumaine Johnson
In a long-anticipated move, the New York Jets have informed cornerback Trumaine Johnson that he will be released in the coming days, a league source confirmed Monday.
ESPN Staff Writer
Sources: Bills agree to 1-year deal with CB Josh Norman
The Buffalo Bills and cornerback Josh Norman have agreed to a one-year deal worth $6 million with incentives that can reach $8 million, sources confirmed to ESPN.
March 6
Saints plan to place first-round tender on QB Taysom Hill
The New Orleans Saints plan to place a first-round tender on restricted free-agent quarterback Taysom Hill, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter, meaning another team would have to give up a first-round draft pick to sign him away. The Saints also will have the right to match any offer that Hill might sign with another team after making him the qualifying offer, which is for one year and worth $4.67 million, according to Over the Cap.
Pro Football Focus: Is Hill a legit starting NFL quarterback?
Source: Chargers, RB Austin Ekeler reach 4-year, $24.5M deal
The Los Angeles Chargers and restricted free-agent running back Austin Ekeler have agreed to a multiyear extension, the team announced. A source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that it is a four-year, $24.5 million deal that includes $15 million guaranteed.
March 5
Eagles letting OT Jason Peters test free agency
The Philadelphia Eagles will let left tackle Jason Peters enter free agency by mutual agreement, the team announced Thursday, but said they will remain in communication as “each side continues to evaluate its options.”
March 4
Sources: Panthers, Chargers swap Pro Bowl OLs Trai Turner, Russell Okung
The Carolina Panthers made their first big deal under new coach Matt Rhule, agreeing to trade Pro Bowl right guard Trai Turner to the Los Angeles Chargers for left tackle Russell Okung, league sources told ESPN. The trade cannot be made official until 4 p.m. ET on March 18, the start of the NFL’s new league year.
DE Chris Smith resuming NFL career with Panthers after girlfriend’s death
Former Cleveland Browns defensive end Chris Smith, whose girlfriend was killed in a traffic accident last September, signed a one-year deal with his hometown team, the Carolina Panthers, on Wednesday.
Two-time Pro Bowl safety Mike Adams announces retirement
Two-time Pro Bowl safety Mike Adams is retiring after a 16-year career, announcing his decision on NFL Network. Adams, who turns 39 on March 24, played for the Houston Texans last season after signing in October when safety Justin Reid was dealing with a shoulder injury.
March 3
Sources: Jaguars trade CB A.J. Bouye to Broncos for fourth-round pick
The Jacksonville Jaguars have agreed to trade cornerback A.J. Bouye to the Denver Broncos for a fourth-round selection in this year’s draft, league sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Legwold: Broncos need cornerbacks in draft, even after trading for Bouye
March 2
Sources: Jaguars to use franchise tag on DE Yannick Ngakoue
The Jacksonville Jaguars will use their franchise tag on defensive end Yannick Ngakoue, league sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The tag will allow them to try to trade him if that’s what they decide or are forced to do.
DiRocco: Ngakoue wanting out is symptom of Jaguars’ bigger problem
March 1
Bengals plan to use franchise tag on WR A.J. Green
The Cincinnati Bengals currently plan to use the franchise tag on wide receiver A.J. Green, sources told ESPN’s Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler. The Bengals want Green in Cincinnati in 2020 no matter what, either through the tag or a longer deal, the sources said. The tag is estimated to be worth around $18.5 million, according to overthecap.com. The two sides have until July 15 to reach a long-term deal.
Feb. 27
Source: Chiefs could use franchise tag on DT Chris Jones
The Kansas City Chiefs plan to use their franchise tag on Chris Jones if they cannot reach a long-term deal with the star defensive lineman, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The source said Kansas City will continue working toward a new contract with Jones and would use the franchise tag if necessary. Teams have until March 12 to use the tag.
Feb. 26
Giants release team captain LB Alec Ogletree
The New York Giants have released linebacker Alec Ogletree, a team captain during his two seasons with the team. The team also said it had cut linebacker Kareem Martin.
Feb. 25
Falcons to let TE Austin Hooper, others test free agency
Atlanta Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said tight end Austin Hooper, linebacker De’Vondre Campbell and offensive lineman Wes Schweitzer will hit the open market as unrestricted free agents, but he didn’t rule out re-signing any of them.
Elway: Broncos will franchise S Justin Simmons if no deal
The Denver Broncos have no intention of letting safety Justin Simmons hit the open market. John Elway, the Broncos’ president of football operations and general manager, said at the scouting combine that Denver will use the franchise tag on Simmons if it can’t work out a long-term deal.
Jaguars decline 2020 option for DT Marcell Dareus
The Jacksonville Jaguars declined to pick up the option on defensive tackle Marcell Dareus’ contract, a move that creates $20 million in salary-cap space. The Jaguars had until Tuesday to pick up or decline Dareus’ option year in 2020. Had they picked up the option, Dareus’ $9.5 million base salary in 2020 would have been fully guaranteed and he would have been due a $10 million roster bonus on the fifth day of the league year (March 22).
Feb. 22
K Mason Crosby, Packers reach 3-year deal
Kicker Mason Crosby has agreed to a three-year contract with the Green Bay Packers, his agent, Mike McCartney, announced on social media Saturday. The three-year contract is for $12.9 million, sources told ESPN, with Crosby receiving $6 million in 2020 and $9.5 million through Year 2 of the deal.
Lions re-sign WR Danny Amendola
Danny Amendola, who is coming off one of the best seasons of his 11-year career, is re-signing with the Detroit Lions, his agent said Saturday.
Jets sign WR Josh Doctson
Preparing for a possible overhaul at wide receiver, the New York Jets added a former first-round pick to their roster by signing Josh Doctson, who was drafted 22nd overall by the Washington Redskins in 2016
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