Rodgers, Patriots, Mayfield, Bengals, Cowboys, Free Agency, Buzz

Patriots add a WR + big updates out of Tampa, Cincinnati, and Dallas  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ March 16, 2022 [Sign up]( [Legit Football]( Together With: Stathead [Run Your Pool](  Rodgers [Aaron Rodgers] Aaron Rodgers intends to play for the Jets Details: During an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Rodgers announced that he [intends]( to play for the Jets in 2023. - The 39-year-old indicated that he made his decision last Friday. Moving On: Rodgers said of Green Bay, “I f---ing love that city. I love that organization and always going to have love for that organization. The facts are right now they want to move on, and now so do I.” Hold Up: According to Rodgers, the Packers are holding up the trade — apparently over compensation. No Wish List: Rodgers made sure to clarify that he did not give the Jets a wish list of desired teammates — though he did acknowledge offering recommendations. Fit: Rodgers will join an offense featuring… - RB: Breece Hall, Michael Carter II, Zonovan Knight - WR: Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard, Elijah Moore - TE: Tyler Conklin, CJ Uzomah, Jeremy Ruckert Image: John Jones/Icon Sportswire Patriots [JuJu Smith-Schuster] Patriots signed WR JuJu Smith-Schuster Details: The deal is for three years and has a [base]( value of $25.5 million ($16 million guaranteed). 2022: Smith-Schuster caught 78 of 101 targets (72.2% catch rate) for 933 yards and 3 touchdowns with the Chiefs last season. - The 26-year-old’s best season came with the Steelers in 2018 — 111 catches for 1,426 yards and 7 touchdowns. Fit: Smith-Schuster figures to replace Jakobi Meyers as the Patriots’ No. 1 receiver. He’ll join a group that includes DeVante Parker, Tyquan Thornton, and Kendrick Bourne. Not Done? According to The Athletic’s Jeff Howe, the Patriots have looked into [trading]( for DeAndre Hopkins and Jerry Jeudy. Image: Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire Mayfield [Baker Mayfield] Buccaneers signed Baker Mayfield Details: The deal is for one year and has a [base]( value of $4 million. - Mayfield can make up to $8.5 million if he hits certain incentives. 2022: In seven games with the Panthers last season, Mayfield completed 57.8% of his passes for 1,313 yards, 6 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. He was released after Week 13 and claimed by the Rams. - In five games with the Rams, Mayfield completed 63.6% of his passes for 850 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. Competition: Mayfield will compete with 2021 second-rounder Kyle Trask for the starting job. Trask has only thrown nine passes at the pro level. Optimism: The Bucs are hopeful that offensive coordinator Dave Canales, who helped revive Geno Smith’s career in Seattle, can get the most out of Mayfield. Weapons: The former No. 1 pick will have no shortage of weapons in Tampa — RB Rachaad White, WR Mike Evans, WR Chris Godwin, and WR Russell Gage. Image: Brandon Sloter/Icon Sportswire Bengals [Orlando Brown Jr.] Bengals signed OT Orlando Brown Jr. Details: The contract is [worth]( $64 million over four years and includes a $31 million signing bonus. - $43.5 million is guaranteed. 2022: Brown allowed four sacks as the Chiefs’ left tackle in 2022. He earned a solid 75.8 PFF grade. Starting Five: Brown will start at left tackle in Cincinnati. Jonah Williams — the incumbent starter at left tackle — will move to the right side. Cordell Volson will start at left guard, Ted Karras at center, and Alex Cappa at right guard. Collins: The Bengals are all but certain to release La’el Collins, who started 15 games at right tackle last season. - Brown ranked 18th in tackle pass block win rate in 2022 — much higher than Williams (55th) and Collins (57th). Improvement: Brown should improve an offensive line that ranked 21st in sacks allowed last season. The unit was horrible in the AFC Title Game against the Chiefs (5 sacks allowed). Image: Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire Elliott [Ezekiel Elliott] Cowboys released Ezekiel Elliott, in talks with Odell Beckham Jr. Ezekiel Elliott: The Cowboys have [released]( Elliott and designated him a post-June 1 cut. The transaction will save the team $11.1 million in cap space (after June 1st). - Elliott, who has been slowed by knee injuries in recent years, rushed for a career-low 876 yards (3.8 ypc) last season. - The 27-year-old ranks third in franchise history in rushing yards (behind Hall of Famers Emmitt Smith and Tony Dorsett). RB Depth: The Cowboys will move forward at running back with Tony Pollard and Malik Davis. The team is expected to add to the position via free agency and or the draft. Beckham: According to The Score’s Jordan Schultz, the Cowboys have had “[positive discussions](” with Beckham and are ready to hammer out an agreement. - The 2x All-Pro would like a multi-year deal. Image: Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire Free Agency [Miles Sanders] Notable Free Agent Signings Miles Sanders: The Panther [signed]( RB Miles Sanders to a four-year contract. The 25-year-old rushed for 1,269 yards and 11 touchdowns with the Eagles in 2022. His 5.1 yards per carry average ranked third in the NFL (minimum 250 carries). Hayden Hurst: The Panthers [signed]( TE Hayden Hurst to a three-year contract. The 29-year-old caught 52 passes for 414 yards and 2 touchdowns with the Bengals last season. Jamaal Williams: The Saints [signed]( RB Jamaal Williams to a three-year, $12 million contract. The soon-to-be 28-year-old rushed for 1,066 yards and an NFL-best 17 touchdowns with the Lions last year. He’ll split the backfield with Alvin Kamara. Jacoby Brissett: The Commanders [signed]( QB Jacoby Brissett to a one-year, $8 million contract. The 30-year-old will compete with Sam Howell for the starting job. Fletcher Cox: The Eagles [re-signed]( DT Fletcher Cox to a one-year, $10 million contract. The 32-year-old totaled 7 sacks, 7 tackles for loss, and 14 QB hits last season. He turned down more money from other teams to return to Philadelphia. Jordan Poyer: The Bills [re-signed]( S Jordan Poyer to a two-year contract. The soon-to-be 31-year-old totaled 63 tackles and 4 interceptions across 12 games last season. Image: Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire Buzz [Jerry Jeudy] Buzz: Ravens, Giants, Jerry Jeudy Ravens: According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Ravens have been “[involved](” in the free-agent quarterback market. - The team looked into Baker Mayfield and Jacoby Brissett. Lamar Update: Lamar Jackson has been free to negotiate with other teams since yesterday. His market appears to be non-existent. Giants: The Giants have reportedly expressed [interest]( in signing free agent WRs DJ Chark and Mecole Hardman. Jerry Jeudy: According to The Athletic’s Jeff Howe, the Broncos are willing to trade Jeudy — but want a [first-round]( pick in return. The Patriots and Browns are interested in the 2020 first-round pick. Image: Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire More News - [Eagles]( have found a way to keep CB Darius Slay - [Vikings]( re-signed RB Alexander Mattison - [49ers]( signed CB Isaiah Oliver - [Bills]( signed QB Kyle Allen - [Browns]( signed S Juan Thornhill - [Browns]( released DE Jadeveon Clowney - [Cowboys]( re-worked OT Tyron Smith's contract - [Texans]( signed DT Sheldon Rankins - [49ers]( signed DE Clelin Ferrell - [Bucs]( re-signed LB Lavonte David - [Saints]( signed DTs Khalen Saunders and Nathan Shepherd - [Patriots]( signed OT Riley Rieff - [Steelers]( signed LB Cole Holcomb - [Patriots]( signed RB James Robinson Together with Stathead Question of the Day Who led the NFL in Yards After Catch in 2022? - Justin Jefferson - Travis Kelce - Austin Ekeler - Christian McCaffrey Unlock the Pro Football Reference database with Stathead Football. 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