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2021 NFL free agency: Wednesday roundup of latest news, buzz

Ryan Kerrigan's free-agent market is starting to heat up.

The four-time Pro Bowler will take a visit to the Cincinnati Bengals today, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per a source informed of the situation.

Washington is also interested in retaining Kerrigan on its deep defensive line, Rapoport added.

The 32-year-old pass rusher has spent his entire 10-year career in Washington and owns the club's all-time sack record with 95.5.

After averaging 10.6 sacks per season over his first eight years, Kerrigan has seen his playing time dip. He was a rotational player in 2020, starting just one of 16 games played. Despite playing just 476 snaps (down from 859 in 2018), the veteran was still productive, earning 5.5 sacks.

The Bengals are revamping their defensive line and could use a veteran presence like Kerrigan to be a locker room leader who could do damage opposite newly signed Trey Hendrickson.

Cincy continued its secondary revamp Tuesday with the signing of former Falcons safety Ricardo Allen, Rapoport reported, per agent Drew Rosenhaus. Allen agreed to terms on a one-year deal.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Bengals re-signed running back Samaje Perine to a two-year deal. Perine logged 74 touches for 367 yards and three scores for Cincinnati in 2020.

Elsewhere in the NFL on Wednesday:

  • The San Francisco 49ers are expected to re-sign cornerback K'Waun Williams to a one-year deal, per Rapoport. Williams recently visited the Chiefs but will return to San Francisco, where he's spent the past four seasons. He was ranked No. 60 in Gregg Rosenthal's Top 101 NFL free agents of 2021. The Niners re-signed defensive end Jordan Willis.
  • The New York Jets announced hey have signed defensive end Vinny Curry. Rapoport reported it's a one-year deal worth $1.3 million in base salary, with $1.075 million fully guaranteed and $700,000 in incentives. The veteran lineman recorded three sacks and 10 quarterback hits while appearing in 11 games with the Eagles last year, mostly as a reserve. The Jets are also finalizing a deal with former 49ers running back Tevin Coleman, per Rapoport. The veteran figures to play in an offense similar to the one he came from, given offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur also making the jump from San Francisco to New York. Coleman contributed to a Super Bowl run in 2019 before injuries and ineffectiveness limited him to just 28 carries last year.
  • The Packers are re-signing tight end Marcedes Lewis to a two-year, $8 million deal that includes $2.1 million guaranteed, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported. Lewis, who's spent the past three years in Green Bay, caught just 10 passes but three touchdowns in his 15th season. The Packers signed long snapper Joe Fortunato.
  • The Cleveland Browns are hosting free-agent pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney on a visit, Rapoport reported via the wire.
  • Free-agent pass rusher Melvin Ingram and the Chiefs could not come to terms on a deal following his visit, per Rapoport.
  • The Chicago Bears agreed to terms on a one-year deal with former Chiefs running back Damien Williams, per Rapoport. The team also signed linebacker Christian Jones.

After he signed a one-year deal to sign Chicago, quarterback Andy Dalton said in his first news conference with the team that "they told me I was the starter." It seems as if the team, or at least its social media department is backing up that statement, having posted an image of Dalton simply captioned "QB1" on Wednesday.

  • Tight end Kyle Rudolph has signed his deal with the New York Giants, Rapoport reported. The two sides moved forward following a brief snag related to concern for Rudolph's physical. NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported Rudolph will soon undergo foot surgery but is expected to be ready for Week 1. Also, the Giants re-signed linebacker Devante Downs.
  • The New England Patriots are re-signing running back James White, the RB confirmed to NFL Network's Mike Giardi. New England is also set to bring back starting defensive tackle Lawrence Guy on a four-year deal, per Rapoport. The Pats inked linebacker LaRoy Reynolds to an undisclosed deal.
  • The Pittsburgh Steelers re-signed linebacker Robert Spillane to a one-year contract. Spillane, 25, saw an increase in playing time after Bud Dupree went down with a season-ending injury; he contributed 45 tackles, two sacks, an interception and four passes defensed in 12 games (seven starts). The Steelers also announced the signing of offensive lineman Joe Haeg to a two-year contract, and ex-Lions defensive back Miles Killebrew and linebacker Cassius Marsh to one-year contracts.
  • The Atlanta Falcons have agreed to terms with former Washington cornerback Fabian Moreau on a one-year deal, Pelissero reported, per a source.
  • The Jacksonville Jaguars signed former 49ers quarterback C.J. Beathard.
  • Whitney Mercilus is slated to hit free agency earlier than expected. The Houston Texans linebacker, 30, agreed to a contract restructure with the team that converts the final two years of his deal (2022 and 2023) into void years, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported. Houston saves $4 million in cap space by converting $6 million of Mercilus' base salary into a bonus. Mercilus will be paid his $6 million bonus by the end of the calendar year rather than over 34 weeks like his base salary and will receive a roster bonus (prorated as a game check based on his initially scheduled $10.5 million salary) payable if there's a 17th game in 2021, Garafolo added. The Texans are signing wide receiver Chris Conley to a one-year deal worth $1.5 million fully guaranteed with $500,000 in incentives, per Garafolo. Houston also made seven signings official: tight end Pharaoh Brown, running back Mark Ingram, linebacker Christian Kirksey, defensive back Terrance Mitchell, wide receiver Chris Moore, linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis and wide receiver Andre Roberts.
  • The Detroit Lions signed wide receiver Damion Ratley and linebacker Alex Anzalone to a one-year deal. Garafolo reported the pact is for $1.75 million.
  • The Pittsburgh Steelers signed offensive lineman Joe Haeg to a two-year contract and defensive back Miles Killebrew and linebacker Cassius Marsh to one-year contracts.
  • Tampa Bay took care of some business Wednesday morning. The Buccaneers are finalizing a one-year deal with defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh worth up to $10M, Rapoport and Pelissero reported. Tampa Bay also agreed to terms with left tackle Donovan Smith on a two-year, $31.8 million extension through 2023, Rapoport reported.
  • The Buffalo Bills agreed to terms with former Panthers defensive end Efe Obada on a one-year deal.
  • The Miami Dolphins re-signed linebacker Elandon Roberts.
  • The Minnesota Vikings announced the re-signing of running back Ameer Abdullah.
  • The Las Vegas Raiders announced they have re-signed offensive linemen Richie Incognito and Denzelle Good. Las Vegas placed officially offensive lineman Donald Penn, who signed a one-day contract before retiring, on the reserve/retired list.
  • The Carolina Panthers signed kicker Matt Ammendola.
  • The Washington Football re-signed restricted free-agent Cam Sims.
  • The Los Angeles Chargers announced Wednesday they've agreed to terms with linebacker Kyler Fackrell. Fackrell started in nine games last season for the Giants.
  • The New Orleans Saints are signing tight end Nick Vannett to a three-year deal, Garafolo reported. A former Steelers and Seahawks player, Vannett started 11 games last season for the Broncos, who recently released him.
  • The Seattle Seahawks are re-signing offensive lineman Cedric Ogbuehi, Garafolo reported per sources. Ogbuehi, a former starter for the Bengals, saw action in eight games in 2020 for the Seahawks with four starts.
  • The Dallas Cowboys announced Wednesday they agreed to terms with safety Jayron Kearse on a one-year deal. Kearse is a five-year pro who began his career with four seasons in Minnesota before playing 2020 with Detroit, where he registered 59 tackles in seven starts. Kearse had a scheduled visit with the Cowboys on Wednesday, as did safeties Damontae Kazee and Malik Hooker, per the team website.

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