NFL Free Agency Blog: Barkley heads to rival Eagles, Falcons land Cousins

The National Football League's free agency period officially starts on Wednesday with players now free to negotiate with teams. Stay up to date on the latest around the league right here on TSN.ca.

Barkley stays in NFC East

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley is staying in the NFC East, joining his long-time rival Eagles, according to Tom Pelissero.

Barkley played collegiately at Penn State University and was drafted by the New York Giants with the second overall pick in 2018.

Barkley was named the Offensive Rookie of the Year for his 1,307 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns.

A two-time Pro-Bowler (2018, 2022) Barkley played six seasons with the Giants (2018-23), surpassing 1,000 yards on three occasions.

The 27-year-old leaves the Giants having rushed for 5,211 yards - the fourth-most in franchise history.

Ekeler heads to Washington

Former Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler plans to sign a two-year deal with the Washington Commanders, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Ekeler re-joins his former head coach Anthony Lynn, who  is currently the run game coordinator and running backs coach in Washington.

Giants land Burns

The New York Giants have acquired star pass rusher Brian Burns from the Carolina Panthers in exchange for a second and fifth-round pick, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Burns will land a five-year deal worth up to $150 million with $87.5 million guaranteed with his new club, making him the second-highest paid defensive end in the NFL.

Cousins joins Dirty Birds

Veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins has agreed to terms with the Atlanta Falcons, according to multiple reports.

Cousins suffered an Achilles injury that limited the 35-year-old to eight games with the Minnesota Vikings last season.

Cousins threw for 311 yards and 18 touchdowns to five interceptions in that time.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports it is a four-year deal for Cousins.

Cousins has spent the last six seasons with the Vikings (2018-23), earning Pro-Bowl nods in 2019, 2021-22.

The former Michigan State Spartan began his NFL career with Washington before signing the league's first fully guaranteed deal with the Vikings in 2018 as an unrestricted free agent.

Cousins leaves the Vikings third all-time in passing with 23,265 yards.

Lions acquire Davis from Buccaneers

The Detroit Lions are acquiring cornerback Carlton Davis from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

Tampa Bay will receive a 2024 third-round pick, a 2024 sixth-round pick, and a 2025 sixth-round pick.

Davis, 27, played 12 games with the Bucs last season, recording 52 combined tackles and two interceptions.

49ers add Floyd

The San Francisco 49ers are set to sign pass rusher Leonard Floyd to a two-year, $20 million deal. He spent last season with the Buffalo Bills, recording 10.5 sacks and 32 combined tackles in 17 games.

The 31-year-old won Super Bowl LVI while with the Los Angeles Rams.

McKinney joins Packers

Free agent safety Xavier McKinney is set to sign a four-year, $68 million deal with the Green Bay Packers.

The 24-year-old played 17 games with the New York Giants last season, recording 116 combined tackles,, three interceptions and one forced fumble.

The Alabama product was originally selected by the Giants in the second round (36th overall) in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Giants sign Singletary

The Giants quickly found a replacement for Saquon Barkley in their backfield, signing former Houston Texans and Buffalo Bills running back Devin Singletary to a three-year, $16.5 million contract worth up to $19.5 million.

The 26-year-old had a career-high 898 rushing yards on 216 carries last season, his first in Houston.

The five-year veteran has averaged 51.9 rushing yards per game over 78 contests in his five-year career.

Panthers bring in protection for Young

The Carolina Panthers have agreed to terms with former Miami Dolphins offensive lineman Robert Hunt.

Hunt, 27, played in 11 games for the Dolphins last season.

The LSU product from Texas has made 55 starts for the Dolphins since being drafted by them in 2020 with the 39th overall pick.

Packers to sign Jacobs, release Jones

In a surprising move, the Green Bay Packers are expected to land running back Josh Jacobs, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero report.

A two-time Pro Bowler, Jacobs is a five-year pro out of Alabama. In 13 games this past season, he rushed for 805 yards on 233 carries with six TDs.

He had spent the entirety of his career with the Las Vegas Raiders.

What this means for the Packers' incumbent feature back, Aaron Jones, remains to be seen with the team and Jones having been in discussions on a reworked deal.

The Packers also released fellow running back Aaron Jones, according to Pelissero.

Jones, a three-time 1,000-yard rusher, played in 11 games last season with the Pack, amassing 656 yards and two touchdowns.

Jones' best season came in 2019, when he rushed for 1,084 yards and a league-leading 16 rushing touchdowns.

Patriots re-sign OL Onwenu, add RB Gibson, QB Brissett, release WR Parker

The New England Patriots made a series of moves on Monday, adding free agent running back Antonio Gibson and quarterback Jacoby Brissett.

Brissett spent the first season of his career in New England after he was drafted by the club in the third round (91st overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft. He spent last season with the Washington Commanders, playing three games (no starts), throwing for 224 yards and three touchdowns.

The team also informing veteran wide receiver Devante Parker that he will be released on Wednesday.

Later in the day, the Pats re-signed offensive lineman Michael Onwenu to a three-year, $57 million deal including $38 million guaranteed.

Gibson, has played his entire career with the Washington Commanders and has totalled 642 carries for 2,643 yards with 22 touchdowns over his four-year career. He has added 172 receptions for 1,283 yards with seven touchdowns.

Parker registered 33 receptions for 394 yards and no touchdowns last season. He signed a three-year deal worth up to $33 million last offseason.

New England also signed linebacker Sione Takitaki, per Pelissero

Minshew heads to Vegas

Quarterback Gardner Minshew has reportedly signed a two-year deal worth $25 million that includes $15 million guaranteed, with the Las Vegas Raiders.

The 27-year-old threw for 3,305 yards and 15 touchdowns in 17 games (13 starts) last season with the Indianapolis Colts. Minshew was thrust into the starting role due to a season ending shoulder injury to starter Anthony Richardson.

The former Jacksonville Jaguar will compete with Aidan O'Connell for the starting job this season.

Davis goes to Jags on three-year deal

The Jaguars are signing former Bill Gabe Davis to a three-year deal, according to Ian Rapoport.

The 24-year-old Floridian played in 17 games for the Bills in 2023, catching 45 passes for 746 yards and seven touchdowns.

He was drafted by the Bills with the 128th overall pick from UCF and played in 47 career games for the Bills, making 163 catches for 2,730 yards and 27 touchdowns.

Davis set a career high in receiving in 2022, going for 836 yards on 48 receptions.

Davis joins Bills teammate Mitch Morse in heading to Jacksonville.

Wilkins gets paid by Raiders

Christian Wilkins is signing a four-year, $110 million deal with the Las Vegas Raiders, according to Rapoport.

Wilkins, a first-round pick in 2019, cemented himself as a starter during his rookie season with the Miami Dolphins and started 77 games during his first five seasons.

In 2022, he made 98 tackles to set a single-season NFL record for a defensive tackle.

Since entering the league, the 28-year-old has been one of the best run-stoppers in the league at his position, and his 39% run stop win rate since 2019 ranks eighth among qualified defensive tackles.

Wilkins played in 17 games for the Fins last season, recording a career-high nine sacks and tallying 65 combined tackles and a forced fumble.

Pollard to Smashville 

The Tennessee Titans have signed former Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard to a three-year, $24 million deal, Ian Rapoport reports.

The 26-year-old heads home to play for the Titans after rushing for 1,005 yards and six touchdowns in his fifth season in the Lone Star State with the Cowboys.

A Memphis product, Pollard was given the keys to the backfield after the Cowboys said goodbye to Ezekiel Elliott.

Pollard garnered his first-career Pro-Bowl nod last season (2022) for his career-high 1,007 rushing yards and 371 receiving yards.

Pollard's signing signals the end of Derrick Henry's time with the Titans.

Bakhtiari thanks Titletown 

Green Bay Packers offensive lineman David Bakhtiari penned a letter to fans on X Monday to thank fans.

"A lot of emotion in this. I just want to say thank you Green Bay. Thank you for the last 11 years. It’s been a hell of a run. I always wanted to raise a Lombardi on Lombardi avenue, but I will never complain," he said.

Bakhtiari played in one game for the Packers in 2023 as a knee injury forced him to miss the rest of the season.

Bakhtiari was also limited to one game in the 2021 season.

The 32-year-old Californian has spent his entire 11-year NFL career with the Pack.

Bakhtiari earned Pro-Bowl honours in 2016, 2019-20 and was All-Pro in 2018, 2020.

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Lewis, Epenesa re-sign with Bills 

Cornerback Cam Lewis is re-signing to a two-year, $4 million deal with the Bills, Schefter reports.

Lewis played in 17 games for the Bills in 2023, making 17 solo tackles.

The 26-year-old from Detroit has played all four of his NFL seasons with the Bills (2020-23).

The Bills also re-signed defensive end A.J. Epenesa to a two-year deal.

Broncos to sign S Jones to three-year deal 

The Broncos plan to sign former Miami Dolphins safety Brandon Jones to a three-year deal.

Jones has spent the last four seasons in South Beach, racking up 36 solo tackles, two interceptions, and a forced fumble in 2023.

Vikings bolster pass rush with Greenard 

The Vikings are signing star pass-rusher Jonathan Greenard, according to Rapoport.

Greenard recorded 12.5 sacks with the Texans last season on top of a career-high 36 solo tackles.

Greenard, 26, was drafted by the Texans with the 90th overall pick in 2020 out of Florida.

Bills make Dawkins among league's highest-paid tackles

Bills left tackle Dion Dawkins is signing a three-year $60.5 million contract extension with the team, making him the fourth-highest paid at the position, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

The 29-year-old Temple University has played his entire seven-year career with the Bills, all at left tackle.

Dawkins is coming off three straight Pro Bowl nods (2021-23) and has played in 112 games for the Bills since being drafted in 2017.

Bears sign RB Swift to three-year contract

The Chicago Bears have agreed to terms with running back D’Andre Swift on a three-year, $24 million deal, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

Swift spent the 2023 season with the Eagles, rushing for 1,049 yards and five touchdowns on 229 carries.

The Georgia product broke into the NFL with the Lions in 2020, rushing for 521 yards and eight touchdowns in his rookie campaign.

Swift played three seasons in the Motor City before being traded to his hometown Eagles in the off-season.

A dual threat at the running back position, Swift has rushed for 2,729 yards and added another 1,412 in the air.

49ers bring back QB Allen 

The San Francisco 49ers have re-signed quarterback Brandon Allen, Ian Rapoport reports.

Allen, 31, spent the 2023 season with the Niners after stops in Cincinnati with the Bengals (2020-22) and the Denver Broncos in 2019.

Colts, Pittman Jr. reach deal, say goodbye to franchise tag

The Colts and wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. have agreed to terms on a three-year, $70 million deal, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Pittman was recently signed to the franchise tag deadline after posting a career-high 1,152 yards and four touchdowns for the Colts in 2023.

Pittman was drafted by the Colts with the 34th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft out of USC.

In 62 career NFL games, Pittman has 336 receptions for 3,662 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Eagles sign Dickerson to four-year extension 

The Philadelphia Eagles announced Monday they have signed offensive lineman Landon Dickerson to a four-year extension.

Dickerson, 25, made 16 starts for the Eagles last season.

The North Carolina native and product of Florida State was drafted by the Eagles with the 37th overall pick in 2021.

Knox, Bills reworks deal to lessens cap hit 

Tight end Dawson Knox and the Buffalo Bill have agreed to rework his contract to lessen his $14.4 million cap hit.

The 27-year-old inked a four-year, $53.6 million deal with the team in September of 2022.

A native of Tennessee, Knox, the Ole Miss product was limited to 12 games in 2023. Knox finished the season with 186 yards and two touchdowns on 22 receptions

Higgins wants out

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins has requested a trade, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Schefter notes that Higgins loves Cincinnati and hoped to be with the team long term, but is disappointed that the team has not had any talks about a long-term contract extension since March 2023.

Limited to 12 games due to injury last season, Higgins had 42 catches for 656 yards and five touchdowns. He topped the 1,000-yard in 2022 and 2021 after finishing with 908 yards as a rookie in 2020.

The Oak Ridge, Tenn., native was drafted by the Bengals out of Clemson with the 33rd overall pick in 2020.

Higgins played in 16 games his rookie season, putting up 908 yards and six touchdowns on 67 receptions.

The Bengals recently placed the franchise tag on the 25-year-old.

Morse lands in Jacksonville 

Centre Mitch Morse and the Jacksonville Jaguars have agreed to terms on a two-year, $10.5 million deal, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.

Morse, 31, was among the many mass cuts by the Buffalo Bills last week.

A former Kansas City Chief (2015-18), Morse had played five seasons with the Bills (2019-2023), making 77 starts at centre for the Bills and earning Pro-Bowl honours in 2022.

Lions lock up G Glasgow 

The Detroit Lions have agreed to terms with guard Graham Glasgow on a three-year, $20 million deal, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reports.

The 31-year-old from Aurora, Ill., made 15 starts for the Lions in 2023, his fifth season with the team after spending three seasons with the Denver Broncos (2020-2022).

Colts sign LB Franklin to three-year extension 

The Indianapolis Colts have signed linebacker Zaire Franklin to a three-year, $31.26 million contract, Franklin's agents Drew Rosenhaus and Kyle Lincoln told ESPN's Adam Schefter before the start of free agency.

Franklin, 27, completed his sixth season with the Colts after being drafted out of Syracuse with the 235th overall pick in 2018.

The Philadelphia, Penn., native played in 16 games at linebacker for the Colts, making a team-leading 107 solo tackles. He added 1.5 sacks and a pair of forced fumbles.

In 98 career NFL games, Franklin has tallied 440 combined tackles, 4.5 sacks and an interception.

Edwards join Roman in LA

Former Baltimore Ravens running back has signed a two-year deal with the Los Angeles Chargers, reuniting with former Ravens and current Chargers offensive coordinator Greg Roman.

The 28-year-old handled 198 carries for the Ravens last season, totalling 810 yards and a career-high 13 rushing touchdowns.

Edwards has posted 3,395 rushing yards an 26 touchdowns over his five year career, all with the Ravens.

Awuzie inks deal with Titans

Cornerback Chidobe Awuzie has agreed to terms on a three-year deal with the Tennessee Titans worth $36 million and $23 million guanteed.

The 28-year-old played 15 games with the Cincinnati Bengals last season, recording 57 combined tackles and one forced fumble.

Williams, Fant re-sign in Seattle

Tight end Noah Fant and the Seattle Seahawks have agreed to a two-year, $21 million deal, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

The team also re-signed Leonard Williams to a three year deal worth $64.5 million with $48.85 million guaranteed, according to multiple reports.

Kinlaw joins Jets

Free agent defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw has reached an agreement on a one-year deal with the New York Jets, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The 26-year-old played 17 games last season, recording 3.5 sacks and 25 total tackles.

Titans add Murray

Free agent linebacker Kenneth Murray reached a two-year deal with the Tennessee Titans worth $15.5 million, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.

The 25-year-old appeared in 15 games last season with the Los Angeles Chargers, recording 79 tackles, three sacks, and one interception.

Darnold joins Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings are expected to sign quarterback Sam Darnold to a one-year deal worth $10 million, according to the NFL Networks' Ian Rapoport.

Darnold, 26, backed up Brock Purdy with the San Francisco 49ers last season and started one game for the club.

The 6-foot-3 pivot threw for 297 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.