NFL teams must be “creative” to squeeze under the new salary cap
What I’m hearing: how the lack of fans in the stands is affecting team budgets
WhatI’mHearing, USA TODAY
The NFL’s free agency 2021 market does not officially open until 4 pm ET on Wednesday for players with expired contracts – however, they are already qualified to negotiate with the teams they choose. Players who have already been released can immediately sign elsewhere, and anyone is free to re-sign with their current club.
The NFL salary cap for the next season will be $ 180 million with a maximum value of $ 182.5 million – all teams are expected to be below the ceiling by Wednesday, when the new league year begins.
Here are the main moves that have already taken place on Monday, March 15:
FREE AGENCY: The 21 best players on the market
MIKE JONES: The free agency in 2021 will look different – here’s why
FREE AGENT TRACKER: Follow the main off-season movements
OLB Shaq Barrett
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers postseason hero – he had four combined bags between the NFC title game and the Super Bowl 55 – remains with the champions in a $ 72 million deal for four years, according to Mike Jones USA TODAY Sports, with a guaranteed $ 36 million. As Tom Brady pointed out, it looks like the band will be together. Barrett has 27 and a half sacks in the regular season for two years in Tampa, including a 19½ best in league in 2019.
More news from Bucs
Speaking of that Tampa band, TE Rob Gronkowski is returning with a $ 10 million one-year contract. Gronk indicated that he would return after the Super Bowl, and is now official. After his one-year retirement, Gronkowski produced 45 receptions for 623 yards and seven TDs in 2020. He picked up six balls for 67 yards and a pair of scores in the team’s triumph in Super Bowl 55.
Jets add Davises
The New York Jets entered this week with one of the biggest salons in the league. Almost quiet on Monday, they added two Davises – former Lions LB Jarrad Davis and then the big splash, landing former Titans WR Corey Davis for three years and $ 37.5 million, for reports. Davis, the No. 5 pick of the 2017 draft, posted his best season in 2020 and gives Sam Darnold (or the next JB of the Jets) a legitimate field weapon.
OLB Leonard Floyd
The Rams pass rusher will continue to build its career year in LA Floyd, which had a career of 10½ bags and a half in 2020, is re-signing for four years and $ 64 million, according to several reports. A significant portion of the NFL’s top-rated defense remains in place … although S John Johnson is on his way to Cleveland.
DE Yannick Ngakoue
The pass rusher is about to join its fourth team in less than a year. A Jacksonville franchise player in the off-season of 2020, Ngakoue was traded to Minnesota and then Baltimore before entering the free agent market. Now he is scheduled for the city of sin, agreeing to become part of a Raider defense that urgently needs a confrontation that can help this team maintain the leadership they often lost last season.
C Corey Linsley
Last year’s All-Pro pivot leaves the Packers and three-time MVP Aaron Rodgers to protect offensive newcomer Justin Herbert for the next five years – for the price of $ 62.5 million. Huge money for Linsley, big win for Herbert’s poor O line … and big loss for Rodgers.
OL Joe Thuney
A player in the New England franchise in 2020, the striker has agreed to a five-year deal (worth $ 80 million) with champion Chiefs of the AFC, according to agent Mike McCartney. Thuney will shore up an O line that was destroyed in the Super Bowl – presumably in his usual left guard place, although he played central and right tackle.
Browns strengthen defense
Cleveland plucked sterling S John Johnson III out of Rams’ defense, the parties agreeing to a $ 33.8 million three-year deal ($ 24 million guaranteed), according to the NFL Network. Solid against the race and the pass and capable of being an almost technical on the field, Johnson can be one of the most underestimated steals in this market. The Browns’ pass defense, despite the presence of All-Pro DE Myles Garrett, came in at 22nd place in 2020.
Defense of pats update
OLB Matt Judon, the Ravens’ main drawer for the past two years – and with a total of 34 and a half years in his five-year career – agrees to jump to New England thanks to a $ 56 million four-year offer. The Patriots have not had a dominant presence since switching Chandler Jones.
New England, who missed the playoffs in 2020 for the first time since 2008, also agreed to add the Eagles’ Jalen Mills to a $ 24 million four-year deal via the NFL Network. Mills is the type of versatile player that Bill Belichick prefers, able to play both corner and safety.
The Pats also took striker Davon Godchaux from division rival Dolphins for the next two years. A choice in the fifth round of LSU in 2017, he started 42 games since then and was a regular contributor to Miami coach Brian Flores, who was previously Belichick’s defensive coordinator.
Patriots update offense
After a year of career with the Titans (41 receptions for 448 yards and 8 TDs), TE Jonnu Smith agreed to join New England on a $ 50 million four-year contract on Monday morning, when the team started its spending spree. Smith fills a gap that has existed since Rob Gronkowski retired after the 2018 season.
Monday night – after Belichick spent the day adding bodies to his defense – WR Nelson Agholor agreed to come to Foxborough early in his own career year (48 tackles for 896 yards and 8 TDs). Also receptive is ex-49ers WR Kendrick Bourne, who agreed to a $ 22.5 million deal for three years, according to reports. Patriots wideouts produced just four TD catches in 2020.
DE Romeo Okwara
After he doubled his total career layoffs by posting 10 in 2020, the Detroit Lions again signed his 25-year pass rusher with a $ 39 million three-year deal, according to reports.
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Follow USA TODAY Sports Nate Davis on Twitter @ByNateDavis.
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