The return of Tom Brady makes the Bucks an NFC contender once again
USA TODAY Sports NFL insider Mike Jones details why Tom Brady chose to return and why Tampa has a few issues but should still be considered a contender.
SportsPulse USA TODAY
NFL free agency officially begins.
Deals, of course, have been made since Monday, when the legal intervention window opened in the NFL. But Wednesday marks the start of the league’s new year and, as of 4 p.m. ET, is the first day that contracts and deals can be formally processed. And while a number of top free agents have already chosen their destinations, many have yet to decide.
Check USA TODAY Sports on Wednesdays and throughout the week for all the latest free agent news, hoopla and deals:
MORE: The amazing return of Tom Brady to the NFL was a decision we should have foreseen.
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Moments after news broke of the massive free-agent surge that included the signing of pass rusher Von Miller, Buffalo Bills announced that they agreed to the terms of O. J. Howard’s hard end.
Howard — selected in the first round (19th overall) in the 2017 NFL Draft — played five seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and had 119 receptions for 1,737 yards and 15 touchdowns in his career. However, in 2021 he had a career-lowest 135 yards when he shared snaps in tight position with Rob Gronkowski and Cameron Braith.
In Buffalo, Howard will team with incumbent Dawson Knox to give quarterback Josh Allen another viable target in the tight position.
— Jim Reinecking
The Buffalo Bills have been painfully close to winning the Super Bowl the previous two seasons and will likely be hoping their latest surge in free agency can take them to the top spot.
The Bills and eight-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Von Miller signed a six-year contract. the team announced on Wednesday.
“It was a crazy four hours round trip. Lots of things I love about LA,” Miller said. deal announcement on Instagram. “But I just wanted you to know I’m going to Buffalo. Bills Mafia, what’s good? 40 is open?
— Jim Reinecking
The Baltimore Ravens are turning to one of their former standouts to step up their pass rush.
According to multiple reports, outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith signed a four-year, $35 million contract with the team.
Smith, 29, has only played one game in 2021 due to a back injury. On Monday, the Green Bay Packers fired him because the team was aiming to hit the salary cap by the start of the league’s new year on Wednesday. A two-time Pro Bowl selection, he scored 26 sacks for the Packers from 2019 to 2020.
Smith began his career with the Ravens as a fourth-round pick from Kentucky in 2015, spending four years with the franchise before signing a four-year, $52.5 million contract with the Packers.
– Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz
Veteran quarterback Joe Flacco is returning to the Jets, according to his agency. ESPN reported that the deal was for one year and $3.5 million. This is not surprising, because Jets coach Robert Saleh said after the season that he appreciates having a reserve veteran and wants Flacco back. It’s a change because Saleh said before the season that having a veteran quarterback doesn’t matter.
Flacco, 37, could give the Jets a shot at winning if starter Zach Wilson loses. Wilson talked about how Flacco’s presence helped him at the end of the season.
In two games last year, Flacco completed 27 of 42 passes (64.3 percent) for 338 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.
– Andy Vasquez, NorthJersey.com
Another big name is heading to AFC West as one notable figure leaves the division.
Four-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Chandler Jones completes a deal with the Las Vegas Raiders, a person familiar with the move told USA TODAY Sports. The man spoke on condition of anonymity as the deal was not yet official. According to multiple reports, the deal was for three years and $51 million.
In a similar move, the Raiders are sending defenseman Yannick Ngakue to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for defenseman Rock Ya-Sin, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said.
Jones, 32, has the most sacks of any NFL player since 2012 with 107 ½. He registered 10 ½ sacks for the Arizona Cardinals last season, but five of them came in a Week 1 victory over the Tennessee Titans.
– Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz and Mike Jones
Randy Gregory isn’t the only free agent to change course this week.
According to multiple reports, running back J.D. McKissick is returning to the Washington Commanders after agreeing to a deal with the Buffalo Bills.
McKissick, 28, plans to sign a two-year, $7 million contract, according to multiple reports.
The commanders also released shooting guard Erec Flowers and shooting guard Matt Ioannidis to cut costs.
– Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz
Austin Hooper did not honor a lucrative contract he signed with the Browns as an unrestricted free agent two years ago, so the team is releasing him on Wednesday, a USA TODAY Sports source told Mike Jones. The man spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to discuss personnel moves.
The move is billed as a cut after June 1, meaning the Browns will be able to spread Hooper’s $11.25 million profit over two years instead of absorbing it all in the offseason.
A two-time professional bowler with the Atlanta Falcons, Hooper joined the Browns in March 2020 when he signed a four-year, $42 million contract. But Hooper caught just 84 passes on 131 goals for 780 yards and a touchdown in his 29 regular season games, all at the start, for the Browns. He dropped eight passes, including six last season, according to pro-football-reference.com.
In four seasons with the Falcons, he had 214 receptions for 2,244 yards and 16 touchdowns in 59 games, 28 of which he started.
– Nate Ulrich, Akron Beacon Journal
The Jacksonville Jaguars still spend a lot on free will.
According to multiple reports, cornerback Darius Williams has signed a three-year, $30 million contract with the team.
Williams, 29, has become a regular with the Los Angeles Rams as a starter for the past two seasons. In Jacksonville, where Williams grew up, he will team with Shaquille Griffin and Tyson Campbell, a 2021 second-round pick at quarterback.
– Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz
The Browns have not had an electric quarterback since Josh Cribbs and Travis Benjamin teamed up to provide a dynamic threat to special teams in 2005-2015.
Jakeem Grant has the track record to change that.
The Browns and Grant signed a three-year deal worth up to $13.8 million with benefits, a league source said early Wednesday, confirming the NFL Network’s report.
Grant, 29, will become an unrestricted free agent at 4 p.m. Wednesday, when free agency officially begins and contracts can be signed.
Grant, who previously played with the Miami Dolphins and the Chicago Bears, made his first Pro Bowl last season as a return specialist.
In 15 games, he returned 26 punts for 309 yards (11.9 average, third in the NFL), as well as a touchdown and 23 kickoffs for 539 yards (23.4 average, 11th in the league). As a wide receiver, he caught 11 passes on 17 targets for 132 yards and two touchdowns.
– Nate Ulrich, Akron Beacon Journal