QB Baker Mayfield has asked the Browns to trade him, according to multiple reports. ESPN's Jake Trotter reports, however, that the team has told Mayfield it is "not accommodating his request." This, of course, follows Cleveland making a push for Deshaun Watson, which got denied. We'll see how the Mayfield situation develops. Should the Browns decide to trade Mayfield, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that the QB has "strong interest" in the Colts. Mayfield is now in the 5th and final year of his rookie contract.
The Buccaneers and WR Chris Godwin have reached agreement on a 3-year, $60 million deal that includes $40 million in guarantees, according to multiple reports. Godwin had received the franchise tag, so we knew he wasn't going anywhere. This locks him in for the next 3 seasons and sets him up to hit the open market ahead of his age-29 campaign.
The Jets are signing former Buccaneers S Jordan Whitehead to a 2-year, $14.5 million deal, according to multiple reports. Whitehead spent most of the past 4 years in Tampa Bay's starting lineup, including all 44 of his appearances over the past 3 years. This money says he'll land in the starting lineup with his new team -- likely in place of Marcus Maye, who is also an unrestricted free agent after playing last season on the franchise tag. Whitehead has been a solid tackle collector with the Bucs and should be in a good spot for more of the same with the Jets. S Mike Edwards looks like the best current bet on Tampa Bay's roster to replace Whitehead. We'll see whether the Bucs make further moves at the position, though.
In a surprise, DE Randy Gregory will be getting his 5-year, $70 million deal from the Broncos instead of the Cowboys, according to NFL Network. Gregory has been in Dallas since arriving as a 2nd-round pick in 2015. He had his most effective season yet in 2021 and should settle in on the edge opposite Bradley Chubb with his new squad. Gregory will turn 30 in November.
DE Randy Gregory is re-signing with the Cowboys on a 5-year, $70 million deal that includes $28 million guaranteed, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Dallas stuck with Gregory through some early-career drug issues, and he finally enjoyed his best season yet in 2021. Gregory delivered a career-high 17 QB hits over 12 games and ranked 12th in Pro Football Focus pass-rushing grade among 209 edge players. He'll join fellow re-signee Demarcus Lawrence in continuing to book-end the Cowboys' D-line.
The Dolphins signed RB Chase Edmonds to a 2-year deal worth $12.6 million ($6.1 million guaranteed). Edmonds gives a barren Miami backfield some much-needed speed (and skill). In 2021, he set career highs in carries (116) and yards (592) while matching a career-high in YPC (5.1). The 26-year-old (in April) has also racked up 96 catches over the past 2 years. Miami might still address RB with a top-3 round pick in the draft, but for now, Edmonds is the clear lead RB.
WR Sterling Shepard has agreed to a restructured contract to remain with the Giants. It's a 1-year deal, according to ESPN's Jordan Raanan. Shepard was previously signed through the 2023 campaign. He'll spend this offseason rehabbing the torn left Achilles he suffered in December. Raanan hears that Shepard's rehab is going well and that he has a shot to be ready for the start of the season. But he's an unexciting pick in early best-ball drafts.
The Bucs have officially used their franchise tag on WR Chris Godwin. It's his 2nd straight year getting tagged, so he's currently set to make a little over $19 million this season. The 2 sides are reportedly working toward a long-term deal, though, which would presumably lower Godwin's cap hit. The 26-year-old has finished top 15 among WRs in PPR points per game in 3 straight seasons. But he sits much lower than that in our early 2022 rankings because of his December ACL tear and Tampa's QB question.
ESPN’s Dianna Russini reports that the Buccaneers are working on a long-term deal with WR Chris Godwin. She adds that if the 2 sides don’t reach agreement by today’s 4 p.m. franchise-tag deadline, the team is expected to tag the WR. For fantasy football purposes, you should expect Godwin to remain with Tampa Bay for the foreseeable future. His end-of-season ACL tear, of course, challenges his 2022 outlook
The Giants are releasing TE Kyle Rudolph, according to multiple sources, a move that will clear $5.2 million in camp space for a team projected over the expected 2022 salary cap. This was a predictable decision given the team's cap situation and the fact that the 32-year-old TE is coming off a 26-catch 1st year with the Giants. With fellow TE Evan Engram on the brink of unrestricted free agency, New York's Week 1 TE starter probably isn't currently under contract with the team.
Beat writer Greg Auman of The Athletic believes the Bucs have a “good chance” of retaining WR Chris Godwin. Auman doesn’t see the franchise tag as a viable path — Tampa Bay did that last year. He also doesn’t believe Godwin’s late-season ACL tear altered the team’s “long-term optimism of him playing at a very high level.” Regardless of where he plays, the 26-year-old should be considered questionable for the start of next season.
Bucs GM Jason Licht said the team is “very excited” about the development of QB Kyle Trask. Licht noted the value of sitting behind Tom Brady while adding that he will “explore all avenues” to find the best QB. Perhaps Trask, who enters year 2, will be given a shot at landing the Week 1 job. But with the Bucs’ roster in win-now mode, our money is on a veteran taking over come September. Plus, as a strict pocket-passer, Trask doesn't have the desirable, fantasy-friendly skill set.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler cites “multiple sources” saying the Buccaneers have "high interest" in re-signing WR Chris Godwin. Godwin, of course, is coming off a Week 15 ACL tear. Yet he's reportedly viewed as the Lavonte David of Tampa Bay’s offense — “the tough and physical player who sets a tone and embodies team culture.” In 2021, Godwin set career highs in targets (128) and catches (98), doing so in 14 games. While the ACL might keep his price down a bit, the 25-year-old certainly won't be cheap. Free agency officially opens up on March 16th.
Cardinals RBs Chase Edmonds (ribs, toe) and James Conner (ribs) are active for tonight's Wild Card game vs. the Rams. Edmonds looks like the healthier of the 2 after getting in a full practice on Saturday and being left off the final injury report. Conner only got in a limited practice on Saturday and was listed as questionable.
Bucs RB Gio Bernard (knee, hip) is active for today's Wild Card game vs. the Eagles. It'll be his first action since Week 14. Bernard is joined in the backfield by Ke'Shawn Vaughn and Le'Veon Bell. Vaughn figures to lead in carries, with Bernard and Bell handling the bulk of the passing-game work.
Browns GM Andrew Berry threw support behind QB Baker Mayfield on Tuesday. "We fully expect Baker to be our starter and bounce back," Berry said. Actions speak louder than words, of course. So we'll see if Cleveland makes any major moves at QB this offseason. The Browns exercised the 5th-year option on Mayfield's contract, so he's on the books for nearly $19 million in 2022.
Cardinals RB Chase Edmonds (ribs, toe) won't play vs. the Seahawks this weekend, HC Kliff Kingsbury said Friday. Edmonds didn't practice on Wednesday or Thursday, and this early rule-out puts his status for the opening round of the playoffs in question. Assuming RB James Conner's heel is reasonably healthy, he'll carry big upside in Week 18 fantasy lineups. We'll get another update on Conner later today.
Cardinals RB Chase Edmonds (ribs, toe) missed his 2nd straight practice on Thursday. RB James Conner (heel) remained limited but suddenly looks like the healthier RB in Arizona. We'll see what these guys do on Friday and how they're listed on the final injury report for Sunday's game vs. Seattle.
Browns QB Baker Mayfield won't play in Sunday's finale vs. the Bengals, HC Kevin Stefanski said Tuesday. Mayfield will undergo surgery to address the torn labrum in his left shoulder as soon as possible, Stefanski said. So that ends an extremely tough season for Mayfield, who also battled knee and foot injuries. His 60.5% completion rate, 7.2 yards per attempt, 4.1% TD rate and 3.1% INT rate were all worse than his 2020 marks. Mayfield is under contract with the Browns for 2022, but don't be surprised if the team adds competition this offseason.
Browns QB Baker Mayfield is considering sitting out Sunday's finale vs. the Bengals. He's dealt with a plethora of injuries this season, including a torn labrum in his left shoulder that will require surgery this offseason. "I'm an extremely competitive guy," Mayfield said after taking 9 sacks in Monday night's loss to the Steelers. "Now it's time for me to start looking at what's in the best interest of me and my health. ... Right now, I'm pretty damn beat up, to be honest with you. There's no way around it." QB Case Keenum figures to start for Cleveland this weekend if Mayfield doesn't.
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