Add another veteran quarterback to the free-agent market.
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday morning that the Detroit Lions plan to release quarterback Chase Daniel. The Lions had shopped the QB in hopes of landing a trade but found no takers.
The veteran backup spent one year in Detroit, going 29-of-43 passing, for 264 yards, one TD, and two interceptions in four relief appearances of Matthew Stafford.
Daniel had two years left on the three-year, $13.05 million deal signed last season. The move will save the Lions $2.3 million on the salary cap with $3 million in dead money.
Known as a solid backup, the QB could land with a team in need of a veteran mentor for a younger player.
Daniel has made a career of peddling his backup ability dating back to his days under Sean Payton and Drew Brees in New Orleans after he went undrafted out of Missouri. In 11 NFL seasons, the 34-year-old has started five games in his career. He's earned $38.527 million over his career, per Over The Cap. That's the best gig in sports if you can get it.
Signed to be insurance for Stafford, Detroit will move on and save a couple of dollars. Look for the Lions to pair a young signal-caller with Jared Goff in 2021, whether it's an early-round draft pick or a later-round project.
Along with shedding Daniel's contract, the Lions are also releasing defensive tackle Danny Shelton, per Rapoport, which saves the club $4 million on the cap, with $1.25 million in dead money. The Lions later announced Shelton has been released.
New GM Brad Holmes continues to jettison many of the bad contracts previous general manager Bob Quinn handed out in a futile attempt to save his job last season.
The Lions are bringing in a familiar face, however, as they're signing former Packers running back Jamaal Williams to a two-year deal worth up to $7.5 million, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported Tuesday night.
Elsewhere in the NFL on Tuesday:
- In an NFL memo obtained by Pelissero, beginning with the start of the new league year, franchises will be permitted to bring free agents to the "club city in order to conduct a tryout, a physical examination, and/or sign an NFL Player Contract." Players must take a COVID-19 test within 72 hours of arriving in the city. This is a change from last year in which COVID protocols restricted tryouts, physicals and signings in person.
- The New England Patriots are one of several teams that have expressed strong interest in running back Leonard Fournette, NFL Network's Mike Giardi reported. The Pats seem intent on adding at least one RB and have also been in contact with Chris Carson. The team agreed to terms with tight end Hunter Henry to a three-year, $37.5 million deal with $25 million guaranteed, Rapoport reported. And New England might not yet be done adding to its offense, as Pelissero reports Kenny Golladay and Keelan Cole "seem to be popular names within the organization." One player the Patriots will not be spending on is longtime center David Andrews, who's headed to free agency on Wednesday after five seasons and two Super Bowls with New England, Rapoport and Garafolo reported Tuesday night. After weighting offers from the Patriots throughout Tuesday, Andrews is headed to free agency and looking for offers from the rest of the league, Rapoport noted. Andrews has been exploring options as part of the negotiating period, but he does not have a deal in place, Garafolo added.
- The New Orleans Saints are among the teams expressing interest in five-time Pro Bowl cornerback Richard Sherman, Pelissero reported, per informed sources. Sherman's old DBs coach in Seattle, Kris Richard, now has the same job in New Orleans and the team is in the cornerback market after releasing Janoris Jenkins, Pelissero noted. On the other side of the ball, NFL Network's Jane Slater said New Orleans could be an "interesting landing spot" for free-agent quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, as well as recently released Lions QB Chase Daniel. The Saints have agreed to terms on an undisclosed deal with Panthers fullback Alex Armah.
- The Kansas City Chiefs are re-signing defensive end Taco Charlton to a one-year deal, Pelissero reported. The Chiefs are releasing former starting running back Damien Williams, Rapoport reported, per an informed source. Williams' agent Ian Greengross says he's looking forward to playing in 2021 after opting out last season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The market for Andy Dalton was active on the second day of negotiating. NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported early on that the Chicago Bears were "in on" the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and the San Francisco 49ers were a "strong contender" to land him. By late Tuesday afternoon, Dalton had agreed to terms with Chicago on a one-year, $10 million deal, per Rapoport. The Bears announced they agreed to terms with defensive end Mario Edwards on a three-year contract extension. Chicago is re-signing veteran offensive lineman Germain Ifedi to a one-year deal with a max worth of $5 million.
- The Philadelphia Eagles have given tight end Zach Ertz permission to seek a trade, Rapoport reported, and several squads have been engaged. However, it still comes down to the Eagles agreeing on compensation, Garafolo noted, as this step means the tight end's agent can "massage" the deal, which Ertz wants done, while Philadelphia wants proper compensation.
- Big Blue is on the board. The New York Giants have agreed to a three-year deal with defensive lineman Leonard Williams for $63 million deal, including $45 million fully guaranteed, Rapoport reported. New York also agreed to terms with wide receiver John Ross, a former 2017 first-round pick by the Bengals, per Garafolo. The deal is for one year, $2.5 million and includes $1 million guaranteed.
- Before re-signing with the Buccaneers, Rob Gronkowski considered a similar offer from the Buffalo Bills, his hometown team, NFL Network's Mike Silver reported. Silver added that he expects the Bills to add a tight end at some point. In other news, Buffalo agreed to terms with linebacker Tyler Matakevich on a one-year extension. Buffalo announced it has agreed to a three-year deal with Dolphins punter Matt Haack. The move means P Corey Bojorquez will not be tendered and is headed to free agency, Pelissero reported. Haack is getting $5.5 million over three seasons with incentives providing a max deal of $7 million, Garafolo reported. Veteran wideout Emmanuel Sanders has agreed to terms to join the Bills on a one-year deal, per Pelissero. The Bills are trading veteran tight end Lee Smith to the Falcons for a late-round draft choice in 2022, Pelissero reported. Smith is a 10-year veteran with six years coming across two stints in Buffalo.
- Arizona Cardinals receiver DeAndre Hopkins tweeted a picture of him smil@ing in honor of the one-year anniversary of the blockbuster deal that paired him with Kyler Murray and sent David Johnson to the Texans. Also, the Cardinals announced offensive lineman Kelvin Beachum has agreed to a two-year extension. Beachum's two-year deal is worth $4 million and includes $3.075 million in guarantees, including $2.075 million fully guaranteed at signing.
- The Seattle Seahawks are also interested in Fournette, per Rapoport. The Bucs are expected to be in contact with him about a possible reunion as well. Prior to his signing with the Jaguars, Seattle made a hard push to keep cornerback Shaquill Griffin, Rapoport reported, per an informed source. He noted Griffin had two other strong offers and intended to decide soon; he ultimately chose a three-year deal with Jacksonville. Restricted free agent Shaquem Griffin, Shaquill's brother, will not receive a tender, Pelissero reported, per an informed source. Seattle is expected to sign former 49ers CB Ahkello Witherspoon, Rapoport reported, per a source. The Seahawks are re-signing nose tackle Poona Ford to a two-year deal that can be worth close to $14 million with incentives, Pelissero reported.
- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have placed free-agent defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh on their to-do list, Rapoport reported on NFL Free Agency Frenzy. Rapoport added that Suh, 34, doesn't want to retire and that he would be surprised if the 11-year vet's next deal doesn't happen as soon as today.
- Former Colts feature back Marlon Mack has generated interest after having his 2020 season cut short by a torn Achilles, per Garafolo. It's possible that he signs a one-year deal, perhaps within the next 24 hours, to show he's healthy and reset his market, Garafolo added.
- The Las Vegas Raiders are releasing Pro Bowl center Rodney Hudson, Rapoport reported. The surprise move will leave Hudson immediately coveted. The Cardinals are a potential landing spot, Rapoport added. Las Vegas is re-signing linebacker Nicholas Morrow, who made 11 starts for the squad last season, Rapoport reported.
- The Jacksonville Jaguars are signing safety Rayshawn Jenkins to a four-year, $35 million deal with $16 million fully guaranteed and a maximum value of $39.5 million through incentives, Pelissero reported. Jacksonville re-signed cornerback Sidney Jones, per Rapoport. The Jags are signing defensive end Jihad Ward to a one-year deal for $2.5 million with $2 million guaranteed, and defensive tackle Tyson Alualu to a two-year, $6 million deal, Pelissero reported. The team is also expected to sign former Lions receiver Marvin Jones and acquire Saints DT Malcom Brown via trade, Rapoport later reported, per an informed source. The terms have not been disclosed but Brown is expected to sign a two-year deal worth $11M with $8M guaranteed, Rapoport added.
- The L.A. Chargers have re-signed kicker Mike Badgley to a one-year deal, Pelissero reported, per an informed source.
- The Denver Broncos placed second-round tenders on receiver Tim Patrick & linebacker A.J. Johnson. Denver also placed a right-of-first-refusal tender on running back Phillip Lindsay and tendered exclusive rights free agents WR Diontae Spencer, defensive back Trey Marshall and offensive lineman Calvin Anderson.
- The Cincinnati Bengals agreed to terms on a three-year deal with former Cowboys cornerback Chidobe Awuzie, per Garafolo. The new contract is for $21.75 million, including $9.25 million in Year 1, with a $250,000 Pro Bowl incentive each year, Pelissero added. Cincinnati is also signing former Steelers cornerback Mike Hiltonto a four-year, $24 million deal that will pay him $8.5 million in Year 1, per Rapoport. Hilton was listed at No. 38 on Gregg Rosenthal's Top 101 NFL free agents of 2021 when the news of his agreement broke. Standout kick returner Brandon Wilsonhas agreed to a two-year extension worth $4.625M, Rapoport reported, per an informed source.
- The Minnesota Vikings are signing offensive lineman Rashod Hill to a one-year, $2,377,500 deal that is fully guaranteed, according to Pelissero. The Vikings announced they have released defensive tackle Shamar Stephen.
- The Dallas Cowboys are placing the right-of-first-refusal RFA tender on defensive tackle Antwaun Woods, per Rapoport. The Cowboys have agreed to terms with cornerback C.J. Goodwin on a two-year deal for $3.5 million with $2M guaranteed, Rapoport reported, per his agent Drew Rosenhaus. Dallas signed former Washington offensive tackle Ty Nsekhe to a one-year deal, per his agency.
- The Baltimore Ravens re-signed outside linebacker Pernell McPhee. The Ravens also re-signed LB Tyus Bowser to a four-year, $22M contract, Rapoport reported. He noted that the deal could be worth up to $27M with $12M in guarantees. Baltimore also re-signed linebacker Chris Board. Pass rusher Derek Wolfe is returning after inking a three-year, $12 million extension, Garafolo reported, per a source. Wolfe will earn $6.5M this year.
- The Green Bay Packers have tendered RFA cornerback Chandon Sullivan, Rapoport reported, per Sullivan's agents the Katz Brothers.
- The Indianapolis Colts are placing a right of first refusal tender on All-Pro special teams player George Odum, Rapoport reported, per an informed source. Indy also placed a second-round tender on wide receiver Zach Pascal, per Rapoport. Tight end Mo Alie-Cox has received a second-round tender as a restricted free agent, Garafolo reported.
- The Pittsburgh Steelers re-signed offensive tackle Zach Banner on a two-year, $9.5 million deal, NFL Network's Aditi Kinkhabwala reported. Pittsburgh announced it has terminated the contract of linebacker Vince Williams.
- The Miami Dolphins have re-signed linebacker Vince Biegel. He missed the entire 2020 season with a torn Achilles. The Dolphins later agreed to a one-year deal with quarterback Jacoby Brissett, Pelissero reported, per an informed source. Former Rams running back Malcolm Brown is also signing a one-year, $1.75 million fully guaranteed deal withMiami..
- The Houston Texans agreed to terms with outside linebacker Derek Rivers, per Garafolo. The fourth-year veteran is signing for $1.3 million for one year, Rapoport added. Rivers spent part of last season with the Chargers but is a former third-round pick of the Patriots, so he'll be reunited with Houston GM Nick Caserio. The team also added quarterback Tyrod Taylor on a one-year deal, per Pelissero. Houston is expected to sign former Browns cornerback Terrance Mitchell to a two-year deal worth up to $7.5 million, per Rapoport.
- The Tennessee Titans released cornerback Adoree' Jackson and offensive lineman Dennis Kelly. Jackson, the Titans' first-round pick in 2017, missed the bulk of the 2020 campaign with a knee injury; he recorded 12 total tackles in three games played (two starts). Tennessee also re-signed tight end Geoff Swaim to a one-year $2.5 million deal with $2.25 million guaranteed, per Pelissero. The team is expected to add CB Janoris Jenkins, Rapoport reported, per his agent Neil Schwartz.
- The Washington Football Team is signing cornerback William Jackson to a three-year deal worth $42 million, Rapoport reported.
