With three starts in 2019, offensive lineman Nick Gates has garnered a two-year extension with the New York Giants with a base value of $6.82 million and a max of $10.32 million, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported Saturday morning. The team later announced the signing.
A former undrafted free agent, Gates spent 2018 on injured reserve, but played in all 16 games last season with the aforementioned trio of starts.
Though not projected as a starter, Gates has the versatility to play guard or tackle and the move comes after starter Nate Solder opted out earlier this week.
The 24-year-old Nebraska product has made quite a journey thus far and he's cashed in.
In other transaction news for the Giants on Saturday, the team claimed wide receiver Tony Brown off waivers, and officially announced the signing of kicker Chandler Catanzaro. It was initially reported a week prior that Catanzaro was being signed in lieu of the Giants releasing Aldrick Rosas.
Here is other news Around The NFL is monitoring on Saturday:
- As expected, the Cincinnati Bengals signed quarterback Brandon Allen and announced the move on Saturday. Allen has been in the NFL for four seasons, but saw his first action in three games with the Broncos last year. Cincy likewise announced the signing of kicker Tristan Vizcaino.
- With a number of defensive tackles having opted out of the 2020 season, former first-round pick Robert Nkemdiche has been talking to teams, Garafolo reported. Garafolo added it would need to be a low-risk deal, but Nkemdiche is telling teams he's focused and healthy and has dropped down to 315 pounds after getting as high as 345. Nkemdiche, who began his career with the Cardinals, was most recently cut by the Dolphins in November.
- The Los Angeles Rams announced Saturday that they have waived linebacker Daniel Bituli, running back James Gilbert, defensive end Greg Reaves and defensive tackle Sam Renner.
- The Dallas Cowboys have released veteran K Kai Forbath, leaving the job to Greg Zuerlein, who signed with the team on a free-agent deal this offseason. The Cowboys also waived LB Azur Kamara and LS Joe Fortunato on Saturday, and placed DB Saivion Smith on the reserve/COVID-19 list to get their roster at the 80-man limit.
- The Carolina Panthers announced a flurry of transactions on Saturday to get their roster down to 80 players. Wide receiver Damion Jeanpiere, guard Tyler Marz, center Frederick Mauigoa and running back Rodney Smith were waived, as was linebacker Jason Ferris with an injury designation. Offensive linemen Greg Little and Brandon Bowen also passed their physicals and were activated.
- The Jacksonville Jaguars announced Saturday that they have placed cornerback D.J. Hayden (knee) and tight end James O'Shaughnessy (knee) on the active/physically unable to perform list.
- New Orleans Saints LB Kiko Alonso (knee) and DB Johnson Bademosi (foot) have been placed on the active/physically unable to perform list.
- The Los Angeles Chargers announced the release of defensive tackle P.J. Johnson, offensive tackle Koda Martin, WR Andre Patton, TE Jared Rice, safety Roderic Teamer and TE Andrew Vollert to cut their roster to 80.
- The Baltimore Ravens waived DT Daylon Mack and punter Dom Maggio, the team announced.
- The Miami Dolphins announced Saturday they have signed undrafted rookie free agent long snapper Rex Sunahara.
- The Seattle Seahawks have waived LB Emmanuel Ellerbee.
- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have waived DE Nasir Player and WR Spencer Schnell.
