NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reports that the Chiefs and RB Darrel Williams have failed to reach a deal ahead of free agency, despite trying to work something out. So it sounds like Williams will hit the open market. With fellow RB Jerick McKinnon also set to hit free agency, we'll see how Kansas City fills out the backfield around Clyde Edwards-Helaire.
QB Brian Hoyer has agreed to a 2-year, $4 million deal with the Patriots, including $3 million guaranteed, ESPN reports. That will keep Hoyer in place as the backup to Mac Jones.
NFL Network reports that WR Davante Adams has told the Packers he doesn't plan to play under the franchise tag this season. The veteran is seeking a long-term deal as he heads into his 9th NFL season, which will find him turning 30 in December. Adams won't be required to show up for any team activities until he signs his tender, so there's potential for a training-camp/preseason holdout if the 2 sides can't nail down an agreement. Green Bay has already reportedly offered money that would make Adams the highest-paid WR by annual salary, so we'd guess they get something done. We'll keep watch on the situation, though.
The Cowboys and WR Michael Gallup have agreed to a 5-year extension worth $62.5 million, according to multiple reports. This has been the expected move. The question for Gallup in 2022 will be how soon he can make it back from the ACL tear.
QB Kirk Cousins is signing a 1-year extension with the Vikings. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that it's worth a fully guaranteed $35 million, locking him in through 2023. The deal also adds a no-trade clause. This move confirms that Cousins will at least remain Minnesota's starter through the 2022 season -- and likely through 2023 as well.
TE Zach Ertz has agreed to a new 3-year deal with the Cardinals worth $31.65 million, with $17.5 million of that guaranteed, according to multiple reports. Ertz averaged 5.1 catches and 52.2 receiving yards per game over 11 contests with Arizona after being traded from Philly last season. He's a solid-to-good value at the bottom of TE1 territory (or even high-TE2 range) in early best-ball drafting.
Tom Brady isn't ready to retire after all. He tweeted Sunday evening: "These past two months I’ve realized my place is still on the field and not in the stands. That time will come. But it’s not now. I love my teammates, and I love my supportive family. They make it all possible. I’m coming back for my 23rd season in Tampa. Unfinished business LFG." Brady's decision removes what had been a huge question about who will QB the Buccaneers. He'll return to an offense that will still have WRs Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. We'll see now about TE Rob Gronkowski's decision -- though we'd bet, at the moment, that he'll also return to the Bucs.
The Bills on Sunday announced that they’ve re-signed WR Isaiah McKenzie on 2-year, $8 million deal. McKenzie caught just 20 passes last year and has yet to top 30 receptions in a season. But he carries upside well beyond that if he can wrest the primary slot job from Cole Beasley, a rumored cut candidate
The Bears claimed RB Darrynton Evans off waivers from the Titans. The 2020 3rd-round pick was a total bust in Tennessee. We'll see if the change of scenery gets him going, but Evans' best-case scenario in the short term is winning Chicago's #3 RB job behind David Montgomery and Khalil Herbert. Evans remains off the redraft radar.
The Browns have given WR Jarvis Landry permission to seek a trade, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. This, of course, comes on the same day that Cleveland acquired Amari Cooper to be its new #1 WR. Landry battled through injuries last season but should still have plenty to offer at just 29 years old. We'll see if he's dealt or ultimately released. Landry's departure from Cleveland would mean more opportunity for WRs Donovan Peoples-Jones and Anthony Schwartz.
The Cowboys traded WR Amari Cooper and a 6th-round pick to the Browns in exchange for 5th- and 6th-round picks. The compensation is minimal because Cleveland is taking on all of Cooper's $20 million cap hits over the next 3 seasons. The Cowboys were reportedly set to release Cooper if they couldn't find a trade partner. Dallas is believed to be the frontrunners to re-sign WRs Michael Gallup and Cedrick Wilson, who would join CeeDee Lamb as the team's top 3 WRs. In Cleveland, meanwhile, Cooper should establish himself as the #1 WR. Exactly how big a target share he garners will depend on whether the Browns bring back WR Jarvis Landry and/or add more to the WR room. But a run-first offense and questionable QB play puts a damper on Cooper's 2022 fantasy outlook.
Raiders DE Maxx Crosby signed a 4-year extension with the Raiders on Friday, with $53 million guaranteed amid $95 million total. Crosby posted a middling 8 sacks in his 3rd season, but that belied his true performance. Crosby led all defenders in total pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. And his 30 QB hits exceeded the combined total from his first 2 seasons (27).
The Cowboys released TE Blake Jarwin with an injury settlement. It's not a surprising move after recent reports that Jarwin underwent major hip surgery that's expected to cost him the start of the 2022 season. We'll see if another team takes a shot on him before then, but Jarwin isn't worth a pick in early best-ball drafts.
The Cowboys released K Greg Zuerlein, saving about $2.5 million against the 2022 salary cap. Zuerlein missed 6 FGs and 6 XPs last season but figures to get another shot at a starting job this summer. We'll see where he lands and who Dallas tabs to replace him.
A grand jury did not find enough evidence to criminally charge QB Deshaun Watson in relation to the sexual assault allegations levied against him. Watson is still facing civil suits, but this development would seemingly make it easier for teams to justify trading for him. "Expect his trade market to ramp up quickly," NFL Network's Ian Rapoport tweets. "Teams have been waiting. This clears the path for a deal by the start of the league year [on March 16]."
The Jaguars released RB Carlos Hyde. This move was a lock with HC Urban Meyer no longer in Jacksonville. The 31-year-old Hyde mustered just 3.5 yards per carry on 72 attempts last year. He's a long shot to emerge as a significant contributor in 2022.
The Bears are releasing RB Tarik Cohen with an injury designation, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. Cohen still isn't able to pass a physical after tearing an ACL in September 2020. We'll see when Cohen is medically cleared and then where he signs, but he's not worth a look in early best-ball drafts.
RB Raheem Mostert is "making a full recovery and will be ready to play this season," agent Brett Tessler tells ESPN's Adam Schefter. Mostert is rehabbing a knee-cartilage injury and went for testing this week under Dr. Dan Cooper in Dallas. Mostert is set to hit free agency next week. There have been rumors of interest from both sides on him re-signing with the 49ers. Mostert is a low-risk shot late in current best-ball fantasy football drafts.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that LB Christian Kirksey is signing a 2-year deal to remain with the Texans. Kirksey was a full-time player for the 12 starts he made in Houston last year (among 13 appearances). It was his healthiest season since 2017, disrupted primarily by a 3-week absence for a thumb fracture. This contract points to Kirksey retaining a starting job under new HC Lovie Smith, who spent last season as the DC. We'll see who else lines up with Kirksey. Kamu Grugier-Hill -- the corps' other 2021 playing-time leader -- and Neville Hewitt are set to hit free agency next week.
The Titans released RB Darrynton Evans. He totaled just 16 carries and 4 targets in 6 appearances over the past 2 seasons, but it's still surprising that Tennessee is already throwing in the towel on the 93rd overall pick of the 2020 draft. We'll see where Evans resurfaces, but he's obviously off the redraft radar for now. He's a tepid hold in dynasty.
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