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The NFL had its initial rush of free-agency deals Monday, but the first wave isn’t over.
The tampering window featured a slew of players and teams coming to agreements before contracts can become official Wednesday at the start of a new league year. But there are still many of the top free agents who remain uncommitted. Expect more action soon in the market, as well as more trades possibly coming together.
Check back with USA TODAY Sports often throughout Tuesday and the entire week for all the latest news and buzz on the free-agent market and what deals could be materializing:
MORE:Tom Brady’s stunning return to NFL was a decision we should have seen coming
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Browns to sign dynamic return specialist Jakeem Grant
The Cleveland Browns and wide receiver/return specialist Jakeem Grant have agreed to a three-year contract, according to multiple reports.
Grant – a sixth-round draft pick by the Miami Dolphins in 2016 – was traded by the Dolphins to the Chicago Bears on Oct. 5, 2021 and became a Pro Bowl selection. In his six NFL seasons, Grant has returned a combined six punt and kickoff returns for touchdowns.
Last season, rookies Demetric Felton and Anthony Schwartz primarily handled punt and kickoff return duties. As a team, the Browns averaged 7.2 yards per punt return and 20.7 yards per kickoff return. By comparison, Grant has averaged 10.3 yards on punt returns and 24.5 yards on kick returns during his career.
— Jim Reineking
Saints, Marcus Maye agree to contract
With safety Marcus Williams agreeing to a deal with the Baltimore Ravens on Tuesday, the New Orleans Saints got busy gathering in reinforcements for the secondary.
The Saints and former New York Jets safety Marcus Maye have agreed to a three-year, $28.5 million contract, according to multiple reports.
After being a second-round pick in the 2017 NFL draft by the Jets, Maye played five seasons with the team. A torn Achilles landed Maye on injured reserve after appearing in six games during the 2021 season, during which he played on the franchise tag.
On Monday, the Jets had put work into bolstering their secondary, with former Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Jordan Whitehead and former Seattle Seahawks cornerback D.J. Reed agreeing to join the Jets.
— Jim Reineking
Ravens to bolster o-line with Morgan Moses
Offensive tackle Morgan Moses has agreed to a three-year, $15 million deal with the Baltimore Ravens, according to multiple reports.
Moses was a third-round pick by Washington in the 2014 NFL draft, and spent seven seasons with the team before signing a one-year contract with the New York Jets in 2021.
The Ravens have a need at the tackle position after trading Orlando Brown last offseason and with Alejandro Villanueva announcing his retirement last week. Ronnie Stanley — the No. 6 overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft — has appeared in just seven games the previous two seasons while dealing with ankle injuries.
Moses started all but one game last season with the Jets, and started every game for six consecutive seasons for Washington.
— Jim Reineking
Giants will sign Tyrod Taylor to back up Daniel Jones
The Giants wanted an upgrade to the insurance policy behind Daniel Jones, hoping to avoid the backup quarterback disaster that unfolded last season, and now they have one.
Veteran Tyrod Taylor has agreed to terms with the Giants on a two-year deal worth up to a maximum value of $17 million, including $8.5 million guaranteed, an individual with knowledge of the situation confirmed to NorthJersey.com and USA TODAY Network on Monday night.
Initial value for Taylor’s deal appears to be $11 million over two years, the individual said.
Taylor was with the Houston Texans last season, and did cross paths with Giants general manager Joe Schoen with the Buffalo Bills for one season, albeit one year prior to when Brian Daboll arrived as offensive coordinator.
The Giants have made the commitment to Taylor as a solid veteran quarterback behind Jones. What Taylor turns out to be with Big Blue is really up to Jones and how he performs.
The 32-year-old Taylor can be a well-compensated insurance policy at a position Schoen identified as a priority, or he can wind up as an ideal bridge to the next franchise quarterback if Jones struggles to develop.
— Art Stapleton, North Jersey
Buccaneers swing trade for interior line help
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are bringing on one of Tom Brady’s former offensive linemen to help protect the quarterback.
The Buccaneers agreed to a trade with the New England Patriots to acquire offensive guard Shaq Mason, according to multiple reports, in exchange for a fifth-round draft pick.
Mason, 28, has been a fixture of the Patriots’ offensive line since he entered the NFL in 2015. In Tampa Bay, he will step in as a needed starter after the Buccaneers lost Alex Cappa to the Cincinnati Bengals. Earlier in the offseason, Pro Bowl offensive guard Ali Marpet opted to retire. Pro Bowl center Ryan Jensen, however, opted to return on a three-year contract.
New England, meanwhile, is undergoing its own offensive line reshuffling after losing offensive guard Ted Karras to the Bengals. Offensive tackle Trent Brown is set to become a free agent.
– Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz
Jets bolster secondary with D.J. Reed, Jordan Whitehead
After focusing on offense to start free agency, the Jets’ first move of Day 2 addressed one of their many glaring needs on defense, agreeing to sign former Seahawks cornerback D.J. Reed, a person with knowledge of the situation told the USA TODAY Network. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal could not become official until Wednesday.
The Athletic first reported the agreement. The contract is for three years and $33 million, according to multiple reports.
There’s certainly a lot to like about Reed. He’s 25 and started 14 games last season for the Seahawks, who run a similar defense. He also played two seasons with coach Robert Saleh in San Francisco, which should make his transition to the Jets even smoother.
Reed is only 5-foot-9, but he played nearly all his snaps last season at outside corner: another plus because that’s where the Jets need help. But Reed is more of a No. 2 corner than the lockdown guy the Jets have been missing for so long. And considering last season was the first time he started more than eight games in a year, he still has something to prove.
Yes, the defense is going to look much different next year. And that’s a good thing because the Jets were the worst in the league. Whitehead should help change that. He turns 25 later this week and has started 55 of 59 games in four years with the Bucs. He has meaningful experience, starting every game in the Bucs 2020 run to the Super Bowl and forcing two fumbles in the NFC Championship game.
– Andy Vasquez, North Jersey
Tom Brady gets a new receiver
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a new slot receiver.
Russell Gage is expected to sign with the team, according to multiple reports.
Gage, 26, recorded 66 catches for 770 yards and four touchdowns last year for the Atlanta Falcons. He had 39 catches for 500 yards in his final six games.
In Tampa, Gage will serve as a tertiary option behind star wide receivers Chris Godwin, who is currently on the franchise tag, and Mike Evans.
– Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz
Randy Gregory pulls NFL free agency about-face, will sign with Broncos rather than Cowboys
The Cowboys tweeted and deleted.
They posted to their website and soon after removed the link.
Because defensive end Randy Gregory, a person with knowledge of the deal confirmed to USA TODAY Sports, pivoted.
After reaching a deal with the Cowboys that was believed to be the final say on his future, Gregory instead now plans to sign with the Denver Broncos.
The Broncos offered Gregory a five-year, $70 million contract with $28 million in guarantees, a person with knowledge of the deal confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal was not signed.
Agreements cannot become official until the start of the new league year at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday.
– Jori Epstein
Ravens make big splash with standout safety
The Baltimore Ravens made a sizable investment to upgrade their secondary.
Safety Marcus Williams agreed to a five-year deal worth $70 million with the team on Tuesday, according to multiple reports.
Williams, 25, started all five seasons for the New Orleans Saints since he entered the NFL in 2017. He quickly established himself as one of the NFL’s best at his position, patrolling the back end for New Orleans while also making plays against the run.
He should slide in next to starter Chuck Clark to provide an instant boost to Baltimore’s defense.
– Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz
Rams left tackle Andrew Whitworth retires
Los Angeles Rams left tackle and reigning Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Andrew Whitworth announced his retirement Tuesday at 40.
Whitworth had said after the Rams’ Super Bowl victory he would take time to mull his future.
A two-time All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowl selection, Whitworth was a vital part of the Rams’ success in recent years, setting the tone for a stable offensive line.
The Rams secured his successor Monday by agreeing to a three-year, $40 million contract with Joseph Noteboom.
– Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz
Dolphins add a lineman for Tua
The Miami Dolphins are adding left guard Connor Williams from the Dallas Cowboys.
Williams should be a key component as Miami attempts to augment a woeful and underperforming offensive line unit.
Williams, 24, has already started 51 NFL games since he was selected in the second round out of the University of Texas.
He will join the Dolphins on a 2-year deal.
– Joe Schad, Palm Beach Post
Steelers get reinforcements up front
After locking in Mitchell Trubisky to compete with Mason Rudolph for their starting quarterback job, the Pittsburgh Steelers are getting some much-neede help elsewhere on offense.
Offensive guard James Daniels agreed to a three-year, $26.5 million contract with the Steelers, according to multiple reports.
Daniels, 24, would patch a major hole on the interior of the Steelers’ line. Pittsburgh ranked 29th in the NFL with just 3.9 yards per carry last season.
– Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz
Titans releasing Jackrabbit Jenkins
The Tennessee Titans are parting ways with one of their starting cornerbacks.
The Titans are releasing veteran Jackrabbit Jenkins, a person with direct knowledge of the move confirmed to the USA TODAY Network. The source spoke on the condition of anonymity, as the team has yet to announced the move.
Jenkin’s release was anticipated, as the 33-year-old cornerback had a high cap number ($10.1 million) and the Titans were already financially strapped. Before cutting Jenkins, Tennessee was unofficially $1.8 million over the 2022 salary cap, per Over The Cap. They must be in compliance by 4 p.m. ET Wednesday, the start of the new league year.
Jenkins’ release could also pave the way for 2021 first-round pick Caleb Farley to be a starter next season alongside Kristian Fulton. A former Virginia Tech star, Farley played just three games last season after battling a shoulder issue and a knee injury, which landed him on injured reserve. The Titans are also expected to add more depth at cornerback.
Jaguars releasing starting LB Myles Jack
After adding a horde of new players on Monday, the Jacksonville Jaguars are bidding farewell to one on Tuesday.
Jack, 26, led the Jaguars with 108 tackles last season. He was set to count $13.15 million against the cap this season, the penultimate year of his contract, and his release saves the team $8.35 million.
The move further remakes the Jaguars’ linebacker corps after the team agreed to a deal with Foye Oluokun on Monday.
– Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz
Patriots, Browns swap defensive players in trade
The Cleveland Browns agreed Tuesday to trade linebacker Mack Wilson to the New England Patriots for edge defender Chase Winovich, a person familiar with the deal confirmed to the USA TODAY Network. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the move was not yet official.
NFL Network first reported the deal involving Wilson, a fifth-round selection in 2019, and Winovich, a third-round choice in the same draft.
The trade cannot be finalized until 4 p.m. Wednesday, when free agency officially kicks off with the new league year.
In three NFL seasons, Winovich has started nine of his 45 regular-season games and compiled 85 tackles, including 11 sacks, 23 quarterback hits, an interception, two passes defensed and a forced fumble.
Wilson started 28 of the 43 games in which he appeared with the Browns and compiled 163 tackles, including a sack, nine passes defensed, a forced fumble, an interception and two quarterback hits.
– Nate Ulrich, Akron Beacon Journal
Lions add low-cost investment at wide receiver
In an exploding wide receiver market, the Detroit Lions took a measured approach to their free agent shopping at the position.
The Lions agreed to a one-year contract Tuesday with Jacksonville Jaguars receiver DJ Chark, a league source told the Free Press. The deal includes $10 million guaranteed and could be worth up to $12 million, according to ESPN.
Chark was considered in the second tier of available receivers, behind Detroit native Allen Robinson, but inflation rocked the market in recent days.
The Los Angeles Chargers signed Mike Williams to a three-year, $60 million contract before the start of free agency. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers used the franchise tag on Chris Godwin at the cost of about $19 million. The Cleveland Browns traded for Amari Cooper and his $20 million contract. And Christian Kirk agreed to a four-year deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Day 1 of free agency Monday that has a maximum value of $84 million.
The Lions entered free agency determined to add an outside receiver to their offense that struggled to push the ball downfield at times last season.
Chark, 6 feet 4, ran a 4.34-second 40-yard dash coming out of college and has the speed to threaten defenses vertically.
He missed most of last season with a broken ankle, catching only seven passes for 154 yards in four games, but had career-highs of 73 catches 1,008 yards and eight touchdowns in 2019.
– Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press
Deshaun Watson to meet with Browns
Having met with officials from both the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints on Monday, Deshaun Watson will meet with the Cleveland Browns on Tuesday, a person with knowledge of the situation confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to reveal personnel meetings.
Watson remains under contract with the Houston Texans. He has a no-trade clause in his contract and would have to waive that right, so the Texans cannot just trade him to whichever team they desire.
The Texans would prefer to trade Watson to an NFC team, according to the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to comment publicly. However, Watson could force their hand.
– Mike Jones
Chiefs find likely replacement for Tyrann Mathieu
Looking to attempt to replace All-Pro safety Tyrann Mathieu, the Kansas City Chiefs will sign Justin Reid, who was a teammate of Mathieu’s on the Houston Texans in 2018.
Reid is expected to sign a three-year, $31.5 million deal with the Chiefs, according to multiple reports.
Mathieu – who turns 30 in May – will be an unrestricted free agent on March 16. In Reid, the Chiefs sign a younger (he just turned 25) replacement for the defensive secondary.
In four seasons with the Texans, Reid collected seven interceptions – including a pick-six.
– Jim Reineking
