The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Chicago Bears continue to make additions, creating the most noise on day three of free agency
Just how active one team plans on being in free agency before the period to sign begins is always up for debate. Who would have guessed the Buccaneers and the Bears would be two active teams to watch this offseason? As the free agent pool begins to dwindle down to the ‘second tier’ of players, The Scrum Sports takes a look at what went down on Saturday.
Tampa Bay fills their second major offseason need in day three
As a need that was no secret to anyone, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers landed a safety on Saturday when the signed former Cowboys safety J.J. Wilcox. Wilcox brings hit athletic style of play over to Tampa to help them improve a position that was arguably one of the weakest links of the 2016 Buccaneers. Wilcox signed for two-years, and up to $8.5 million according to nfl.com.
The signing seems to signify the end of days for Bradley McDougald in Tampa, a necessary move to help create change. With the re-signing of Chris Conte and Chris Tandy still around, the Buccaneers will more than likely look towards the draft to add depth to the safety position. Also would be a good idea to groom the safety of the future in case this group doesn’t pan out the way the Buccaneers hope they will.
Wilcox wasn’t the only player putting ink to paper for the Buccaneers on Saturday as the team re-signed defensive tackle Sealver Siliga. The Buccaneers claimed Siliga from the Seattle Seahawks last season, and he had ten tackles and a sack in six games. Siliga is an insurance sign in case the injury bug bites, but can fill a lot of space on the defensive line at 345 pounds.
Chicago Bears stay active
The Bears have been extremely busy in free agency signing quarterback Mike Glennon, tight end Dion Sims, cornerback Prince Amukamara, safety Quintin Demps and wide receiver Markus Wheaton. Saturday was no different.
With the departure of star wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, the Bears have a big need for weapons for new quarterback Mike Glennon. Not satisfied with just Markus Wheaton, there Bears signed Kendall Wright to a one-year, $4 million deal. Although Wheaton and Wright were not the sexiest names out there, they do bring plenty of potential to a position the Bears have a big need for. Do they have a bona-fide number one wide receiver though?
Chicago also added their second cornerback to the team when they came to an agreement with former Cardinals cornerback Marcus Cooper to a three-year deal. The Bears should prove to be an interesting team to follow this upcoming season after a disappointing 2016 campaign, as they appear to be in the midst of an overhaul rather than a rebuild.
Other signings around the league
Day three saw a few other players land new homes. The Green Bay Packers continued to lock down the tight end position, signing their second tight end since free agency began. The Packers inked former Rams tight end Lance Kendricks to go along with the signing of Martellus Bennett on day one. Although Aaron Rodgers did have some success with Richard Rodgers, the Packers have made it quite clear they are ready to move on from Rodgers, the tight end, not the quarterback of course.
Another team that has made some noise this offseason, the Jacksonville Jaguars, signed former Cardinals guard Earl Watford and added former Viking linebacker Audie Cole for depth. Rumors are flying behind Latavius Murray and even Tony Romo paying visits to the Jacksonville Jaguars, so they may not be done yet.
Lawrence Guy, formerly of the Baltimore Ravens, has a new home in New England after agreeing on a four-year, up to $20 million contract. The Tennessee Titans signed a kick returner in Eric Weems while defensive tackle Domata Peko is heading to the Bengals, who are in great need of defensive line help. Darren Fells will have Matthew Stafford throwing him passes, as the tight end agreed to a one year contract with the Detroit Lions.
With day three officially in the books, the next few days should provide clarity on the whereabouts of rumored free agents such as Andre Holmes, Latavius Murray, Tony Romo and Dontari Poe.
