With tampering allowed two days before free agency officially begins, the NFL world was nothing but quiet leading into the 2017 NFL free agency period
The NFL was alive and well on Wednesdays as trades, signings and rumors were prevalent across the league. Here’s the skinny on what went down on Wednesday.
Cowboys inform Tony Romo of his release
https://twitter.com/txcowboys956/status/839620889540976640
From being an unknown to becoming the Cowboys all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns, Tony Romo, who will turn 37 in April, has spent his entire NFL career in Dallas. An impressive stat considering Troy Aikman and Roger Staubach were once under center for America’s Team. Romo will be released Thursday ending his 13 year stay with the Cowboys. There are pleanty of quarterback needy teams that will be bringing Romo in for a visit as the clear-cut starter. If he can find a way to stay healthy, after only playing in five games over the past two seasons, Romo should prove to the world he still has tread on the tires.
Brandon Marshall is staying in New York, but with a new team
Done Deal!!!! #GMEN pic.twitter.com/9sFpQBXjFx
— BEAST (@BMarshall) March 8, 2017
It didn’t take long for Brandon Marshall to land a new home after asking for and being granted his release on March 3rd, as news broke that Marshall had agreed to terms with the New York Giants in a move that made sense for both parties. For the Giants, they get an affordable player (two years $12 million) who is a mere one year removed from a 1502 yard season to go along with 14 touchdowns. He had a drop in production last year (788 yards and three touchdowns), but also missed a game and had Jets quarterbacks throwing to him all season. The positive for Brandon Marshall is he gets the chance to play for a contender and make the postseason for the first time in his career. He also doesn’t have to move since he went from the Jets to the Giants, and no one likes to move.
Tyrod Taylor is staying put
We've agreed to terms with QB Tyrod Taylor on a restructured contract.
Welcome back, @TyrodTaylor! pic.twitter.com/TWSKLqHIlm
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) March 8, 2017
There were many QB-hungry teams that were licking their chops in hopes of Tyrod Taylor hitting the market. Those teams will have to fill their hunger elsewhere as the Bills re-structured the contract of their quarterback to keep him in Buffalo. The Bills seemed to be considering the option of moving on from Taylor, but instead decided to restructure his deal to save about $6 million against the cap this year. The contract also carries no dead cap after two years, giving the Bills the opportunity to release Taylor three years before the end of the contract without any financial repercussions. This clip probably made it easier for the Bills to keep him around as well….
Your annual reminder that Tyrod Taylor has a damn cannon pic.twitter.com/VUrd46OZHj
— Becks (@BecksWelker) March 6, 2017
Jacksonville gets two impact players for their defense
Last season, the Jaguars were considered by many to be the winners of the offseason. Unfortunately for the Jaguars who were talked about as division contenders, that success did not carry over into the regular season. However the Jaguars did have a great start to free agency this season, agreeing to terms with two impact players. Safety Barry Church enjoyed a great season with the Dallas Cowboys and will fill a void in the Jaguars secondary. The team also agreed to terms with defensive end Calais Campbell, who has versatility to play multiple positions on the defensive line. With the emergence of Yannick Ngakoue last season, should be interesting to see how they use Campbell next season. Regardless of how they use him, the Jaguars defense, that was already underrated, just got that much better.
The Patriots pulled of a trade to get themselves a solid #2 tight end
Patriots acquire TE Dwayne Allen through a trade with the Colts pic.twitter.com/SuVBjJcAIn
— Patriots Nation (@PatsNationNE) March 8, 2017
For the second straight year, the New England Patriots have executed a trade to obtain a tight end behind Rob Gronkowski on the depth chart. Last year the Patriots traded their 4th round pick for Martellus Bennett and the Bears 6th round pick. This year they pulled off the same trade with the Indianapolis Colts for the services of Dwayne Allen. Allen’s arrival to the Patriots provides insurance for Rob Gronkowski and also spells the end of Bennett’s career with the New England Patriots.
The 49ers make some moves
Wednesday was a busy day for the 49ers who made sure they were going to change-up their offense in a hurry. The 49ers have come to terms with quarterback Brian Hoyer, wide receivers Pierre Garcon and Marquise Goodwin, and Pro Bowl fullback Kyle Juszczyk. Although none of these names scream sexy off the screen, it is a step in the right direction for a team that only won two games last season.
Baltimore says goodbye and hello
The Ravens made headlines on Wednesday for two players, one of them leaving one of them agreeing to terms. The Ravens decided to part ways with linebacker Elvis Dumervil after four seasons with the team, and then later announced they agreed to terms with running back Danny Woodhead.
The Dolphins prevent their speedy receivers from testing free agency
Many thought wide receiver Kenny Stills was going to test the waters of free agency, but a four-year $32 million contract with $20 million guaranteed was enough to keep the speedy wide receiver in South Beach. The move makes sense for the Dolphins, whose offense showed flashes of brilliance in 2016 and helped the Dolphins make the playoffs for the first time since 2008.
With so much happening before free agency even officially begins, the next few days should prove to be entertaining.
