The NFL's "legal tampering" period, where prospective free agents are free to begin negotiations with teams, continues.

Follow along with TSN.ca for the latest news and rumours ahead of the start of free agency Thursday at 4 p.m. ET.

 

March 9:

Perry sticking with Packers

The Green Bay Packers are investing heavily in 26-year-old free agent defensive end Nick Perry. Perry was drafted by the Packers 28th overall in the 2012 NFL draft.

The team signed Perry to a five-year, $60 million contract on Thursday, NFL Network reports.

 

Romo now on the trading block?

On Wednesday, it was widely reported that the Dallas Cowboys would release quarterback Tony Romo on Thursday, but now the situation seems to be headed in a different direction. ESPN's Chris Mortensen reports that Romo is expected to be traded to either the Denver Broncos or Houston Texans.

Whether Dallas ends up trading Romo or cutting him, either way, it seems that the two parties are destined for a divorce. Reports have indicated that Tony Romo, who lost his starting position with the Cowboys because of injuries, is intent on starting for another team next season.

 

Browns give Zeitler historic pay day

The Cleveland Browns have more money to spend than any other team in free agency this off-season, and as such they've chosen to give free agent offensive guard Kevin Zeitler the biggest contract offer that anyone at the position has ever received. Zeitler, 27, spent the first four seasons of his career with the Cincinnati Bengals, after being drafted by the team 27th overall in 2012. During his tenure with the Bengals he started all but one of the games that he played in, making 71 starts overall.

 

Campbell off to Jacksonville

Free agent defensive lineman Calais Campbell is moving to the state of Florida, as he'll reportedly join the Jacksonville Jaguars on a four-year $60 million deal. Campbell, 30, was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in 2008, and spent the past nine seasons of his career with the team. He's listed as a defensive end officially, but is also quite competent when he moves inside to the defensive tackle position.

 

Fairley re-ups with Saints

Free agent defensive tackle Nick Fairley is reportedly close to re-signing with the New Orleans Saints. Fairley was a force from his interior defensive line position last season, recording 29 tackles and 6.5 sacks.

 

Woods goes home

Free agent wide receiver Robert Woods is going home to his home state of California. Woods, a native of Gardena, California, which is about an half an hour drive from Los Angeles, will continue his career with the Los Angeles Rams. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Woods has signed a five-year $39 million contract with the Rams. Woods is regarded for being one of the best blocking receivers in the NFL.

 

Upshaw to remain in Atlanta

Defensive end Courtney Upshaw is apparently going to remain with the Atlanta Falcons. The NFL Network's Ian Rapoport says that the 27-year-old Upshaw has agreed to terms with the club that he spent the 2016 season with. Prior to last season, Upshaw spent the first four years of his career with the Baltimore Ravens.

 

Whitworth leaves Cincy for L.A.

The Los Angeles Rams are reportedly set to sign former Cincinnati Bengals left tackle Andrew Whitworth to a three-year $36 million contract, with the lineman being guaranteed $15 million. Whitworth, 35, is a veteran of 11 NFL seasons and is a three-time Pro Bowler. Prior to sigining with the Rams, Whitworth had only played for the Bengals.

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March 8:

 

Brandon LaFell staying in Cincy

According to a report from ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Cincinnati Bengals will re-sign wide receiver Brandon LaFell. LaFell finished with 64 receptions for 862 yards and six touchdowns in his first season with the Bengals.

 

Patriots trading for a tight end

The New England Patriots are trading for Indianapolis Colts tight end Dwayne Allen, according to multiple reports. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the Patriots will send a fourth round pick to the Colts for Allen, who comes to New England alongside a sixth round pick.

The news likely confirms what everyone suspected, Martellus Bennett will depart New England as a free agent.

Allen finished with 35 receptions for 406 yards and six touchdowns in 15 games for the Colts last season. The 27-year-old will now team up with Rob Gronkowski in a tight end-friendly offence.

 

Hoyer reunites with Shanahan

Quarterback Brian Hoyer reportedly has a new home. The veteran, who played with the Chicago Bears in 2016, will reportedly sign a two-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers; his sixth NFL club. In San Francisco, Hoyer will reunite with new-49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, who served as Hoyer's offensive coordinator with the Cleveland Browns during the 2014 season. Hoyer surely has a good chance of being the No.1 pivot for the 49ers next season, but the team holds the second-overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft and may very well select an incoming quarterback with that pick.

The 49ers are also reportedly adding speedy wide receiver Marquise Goodwin as well. Goodwin, who was a serious candidate to represent the U.S.A at the 2016 Rio Games in track and field, recorded just 49 receptions, 780 yards and six touchdowns in the first four seasons of his career, all spent with the Buffalo Bills.

 

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Branch is sticking with the Dolphins

Defensive end Andre Branch is reportedly re-upping with the Miami Dolphins. Branch came over to Miami after spending the first four season of his career with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Last season Branche, 27, amassed 5.5 sacks, 27 tackles and forced two fumbles.

 

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Mum on Peterson thus far

On Tuesday, the Twin Cities Pioneer Press provided some insight into where free agent running back Adrian Peterson may be interested in continuing his career. In their article, citing information they received from the runner's father, Nelson Peterson, the publication named the Seattle Seahawks as well as the Oakland Raiders as teams that have expressed serious interest in signing Peterson, per the elder Peterson. On Thursday morning, Tom Pelissero of USA Today reported that the Seahawks do not have "immediate interest" in the veteran back, and in addition to that report, Adam Caplan of ESPN says that Peterson's interest in the Oakland Raiders is also currently one-sided.

Peterson has been selected to the Pro Bowl seven times in his career, (every season that he has played more than 12 games), but he'll be 32 years-old next season and has undergone a myriad of serious injuries dating back to his college days at Oklahoma. For those reasons, it appears that some contending teams are not anxious to sign Peterson.

 

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Raiders prepared to let Smith walk

The Oakland Raiders will reportedly let linebacker Malcolm Smith test the free-agent market.

The 27-year-old Smith led the Raiders in tackles last season with 86, and was the tea, leader in 2015 as well.

 

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Cowboys and McCown talking

There's no doubt that Dak Prescott is the long-term answer at quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, but every team needs a quality backup as well. The Cowboys now have immediate need for one as the team's long-time starter and backup in 2016,Tony Romo, will reportedly be released on Thursday. With all of that in mind, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the 37-year-old McCown will meet with the Cowboys on Wednesday. 

Soon-to-be free agents cannot be in direct contact with clubs before free agency begins, instead their agents do all of the engaging, but McCown is free to take part in negotiations himself seeing as he is already a free agent after being cut by the Cleveland Browns last month.

 

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March 7:

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Cousins to the 49ers?

NFL Network's Mike Silver reported "it's more likely than not" Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins will end up with the San Francisco 49ers this offseason. Cousins was given the franchise tag by Washington for the second straight season earlier this offseason and will cost the his team nearly $20 million on the season. A deal with the 49ers would almost certainly be contingent on Cousins signing a new, more team friendly deal, for San Francisco.

Cousins, 28, threw for 4,917 yards and 25 touchdowns and 12 interceptions last season for Washington.

 

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Garoppolo's market

Speaking of quarterbacks on the trade market, NFL Network's Mike Garofolo reported the New England Patriots are seeking two first round draft picks for Jimmy Garoppolo. Garoppolo is reportedly highly sought after but the Patriots are also reportedly not set on trading Garoppolo. The 25-year-old former second-rounder appeared in six games for the Patriots last season, finishing with 502 yards and four touchdowns.

 

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Price tag on Pryor

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Terrelle Pryor is expected to be rewarded handsomely for his breakout season last year, catching 77 balls for 1,007 yards and four touchdowns, but it likely won't be by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reported the Steelers looked into Pryor, but balked when they deemed the price for the 27-year-old's services were too high.

 

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Bears targeting Gilmore?

Earlier in the day it was reported by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport the Chicago Bears would target free agent quarterback Mike Glennon. Now the Bears are linked to another high end prospective free agent in Buffalo Bills cornerback Stephon Gilmore. 

Bleacher Report's Jason Cole reported there is growing talk the Bears will take a run at the veteran QB along with their other free agent plans. The 27-year-old had 48 tackles and five interceptions for the Bills last season.

 

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Bucs in on Jackson?

Washington receiver DeSean Jackson is expected to have a number of suitors once free agency officially opens Thursday, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers expected to make a major push for the veteran's services, according to a report from NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

The 30-year-old Jackson has spent the past three seasons with Washington, finishing with 56 receptions for 1,005 yards and four touchdowns last year.

 

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Danny Woodhead interest

Versatile running back Danny Woodhead is still recovering from an ACL injury that cost him most of last season. But, according to a report from the Sporting News' Alex Marvez, the 32-year-old is far enough along in his recovery that he's receiving interest as a free agent from several teams, including the Denver Broncos.

Woodhead had just 151 combined yards for the Chargers last season before his injury, but eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in combined yards two years ago.

 

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Doyle's pay day

Indianapolis Colts tight end Jack Doyle is expected to get paid handsomely as a free agent after last season when he totalled 59 receptions for 584 yards and five touchdowns. Zak Keefer of the Indianaopolis Star reported Doyle could earn as much as $7 million per season on the open market. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported last week Doyle isn't interested in a hometown discount deal from the Colts and is expected to test the market.

 

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Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers made a number of moves just before the two-day negotiation window opened, releasing three veterans in cornerback Brandon Flowers, offensive lineman DJ Fluker, and wide receiver Stevie Williams.

You can read the full story here.

 

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Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals have taken TE Jermaine Gresham off the market, reaching agreement on a four-year deal according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.