Tag: free agency nfl

Chargers releasing OT Bryan Bulaga

The Chargers will save $10.7 million against the cap by cutting Bryan Bulaga.

The Chargers are releasing offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga.

The team will save $10.7 million against the cap by cutting Bulaga.

Bulaga signed a three-year, $30 million contract last year with the hopes of supplying sustainability at the right tackle spot.

However, Bulaga’s first season with the team was cut to 10 games as he dealt with various injuries.

In his second year with Los Angeles, Bulaga played in just two quarters of the season opener after suffering an injury that landed him on the injured reserve.

Bulaga had surgery on his core muscle and never returned to the field, despite starting to work on the practice field in November.

Now, the Chargers’ attention will turn to either signing a veteran or drafting one to compete with Storm Norton and Trey Pipkins for the starting job in 2022.

Colt McCoy signs a two-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals

Colt McCoy will be back in Arizona for the next couple of years.

Former Texas Longhorns quarterback Colt McCoy is set to return to the Arizona Cardinals in 2022. McCoy will continue to serve as the backup to third-year starter Kyler Murray.

McCoy inked a two-year, $7.5 million contract on Monday which includes $6 million guaranteed upon signing. Making the 35-year-old one of the highest-paid backup quarterbacks in the NFL.

Bringing back McCoy was high on Kliff Kingsbury’s priorities going into the offseason. McCoy played a huge role as both mentor and player behind Murray a year ago. Even going 2-1 in three starts after Murray went down with an injury.

Without Colt proving to be a more than serviceable backup, Arizona likely would have been on the outside looking in for the 2021 playoffs. He kept the Cardinals season going in a positive direction at a crucial part of the year.

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Chargers re-signing kicker Dustin Hopkins

The Chargers are bringing back their kicker.

As the Chargers look to reshape their special teams under new coordinator Ryan Ficken, Dustin Hopkins will be a part of the plans next season.

Los Angeles re-signed Hopkins to a three-year contract on Sunday.

According to Sirius XM’s Adam Caplan, Hopkins receives three-year extension for $9 million with upside to $12 million, with more than $4.6 million guaranteed.

After being let go of by the Washington Commanders midway through the 2021 season, Hopkins was picked up by L.A. In 11 games, he converted 18 of 20 field-goal attempts and 30 of 32 extra-point tries.

Chargers’ Matt Feiler has not been told what guard spot he will play

Matt Feiler will be an upgrade on the interior part of the offensive line.

The Chargers signed Matt Feiler earlier this week as a part of the reconstruction of the offensive line.

Feiler came in having played both tackle and guard with the Steelers. With Los Angeles, he will play on the interior. But the thing that remains to be seen is whether or it will be on the left or right side.

With Pittsburgh, Feiler played left guard this past season after starting at right tackle in 2019.

At Friday’s media availability, Feiler said he’s open to playing both guards spots.

I believe that L.A. is better off playing Feiler at left guard.

One, he has experience playing there. Two, all signs are pointing to the Chargers drafting a left tackle and having a veteran like Feiler next to him could benefit him in the early going of his career.

Los Angeles would then have to find a right guard to replace the void left by Trai Turner, which I addressed how they can do so.

2021 Free Agency: Chargers could make splash by signing Corey Linsley

The All-Pro center would be a massive addition to the Chargers offensive line.

The Chargers’ main priority this offseason will be to address the dreadful offensive line.

General manager Tom Telesco is well aware of it and he would be wise to be aggressive during the free agency period to acquire players that have proven themselves at a high level.

Packers center Corey Linsley would be a massive signing that would have the arrow pointing upwards for the unit. Linsley is not expected to be re-signed by Green Bay, according to Sports Illustrated’s Bill Hubert.

Voted first-team All-Pro and rated Pro Football Focus’ No. 1 center from 2020, Linsley didn’t allow a sack or a tackle at or behind the line of scrimmage vs. the run, according to Sports Info Solutions.

To go along with that, among centers with at least 500 snaps, he had the third-lowest blown-block rate at 0.6 percent. He’s disciplined on the field, too, as he wasn’t penalized.

Linsley is also a strong run-blocker, ranking in the 84th percentile in the percentage of positively graded blocks and the 85th percentile when it comes to avoiding negatives, per Pro Football Focus.

Not only is he a great player, he’s an even better person. Linsley was the team’s nominee for prestigious Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.

With Dan Feeney set to be free agent, it creates a glaring hole at center. I’ve said before, even if Feeney is re-signed, he could serve as a key depth option at both guard and center.

With a projected $34 million in cap space and more possibly coming depending on potential cuts, L.A. would be sitting pretty to acquire the 29-year old. Linsley would then reunite with his former teammate, Bryan Bulaga.

4 players who may follow Chargers HC Brandon Staley in free agency

The Chargers could garner the attention from these soon-to-be free agents.

The Chargers hired Brandon Staley to be the new man in charge.

In just one season as the Rams’ defensive coordinator, he was the engineer of the top defense in the NFL. He was respected by the handful that he coached, and some of those players may want to follow him.

With that being said, here are four soon-to-be free agents that Staley could potentially bring with him.

OLB Leonard Floyd

A former No. 9 overall pick of the Bears, Floyd was close to being labeled as a “bust” but Staley was the one who rejuvenated his career. Floyd is coming off his best year as a pro after totaling career-highs in sacks (12.5), tackles (55) and quarterback hits (19). He had a career-best 52 total pressures. Floyd also had 31 defensive stops and has been a consistently solid run defender over his career. With Melvin Ingram slated to be a free agent, he would give the Chargers another much-needed pass-rush presence alongside Joey Bosa.

CB Troy Hill

When you’re in the same secondary as Jalen Ramsey, you will likely have your work cut out for you, as opposing quarterbacks will look your way plenty. Hill did a fine job in that role, coming up in a big way. He finished tied for second on the team with three interceptions and scored three of the Rams’ defensive touchdowns on the year. Hill also had 10 passes defensed. Based on how Staley runs his system, he will likely load up on defensive backs and Hill is one that he would love to reunite with.

S John Johnson

After suffering an injury in 2019 that limited him to just six games, Johnson bounced back this past season, being the only player to play every defensive snap. Johnson logged 105 combined tackles and an interception. In addition, he only allowed a 4.9 yards per target. Versatility is everything and Johnson is a smart, adept in pass coverage and run defense, who’s capable of playing both safety positions, cornerback and linebacker.

DL Morgan Fox

The addition of Staley led to Fox’s breakout season in 2020. Fox came into the season with only 4.5 sacks and six tackles for loss in a three-season span. But he topped those this past season, finishing with six sacks and eight tackles for loss. The Chargers have promising defensive linemen in Linval Joseph, Justin Jones and Jerry Tillery, but Fox could be a huge depth piece up front.

Former Texas QB Colt McCoy agrees to new contract, remains in NFC East

Former Texas quarterback Colt McCoy has agreed to a new contract that will keep him in the NFC East.

One former Longhorn legend has found a new home.

According to NFL Network reporter Mike Garafolo, the New York Giants have agreed to terms with quarterback Colt McCoy on Thursday.

McCoy was originally drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft. After three seasons in Cleveland, the former Longhorn had a brief stint in San Francisco before landing with the Washington Redskins.

After five seasons with the Redskins, McCoy is now expected to play behind quarterback Daniel Jones in New York. Although he’s had an injury prone career, he’s the type of high-character leader and veteran that you’d want on your roster.

McCoy is established and comfortable in the backup quarterback role and is widely respected both on and off the field.

The Giants couldn’t have landed a better mentor to groom their franchise quarterback.

DT Damon Harrison could interest Chargers

The Los Angeles Chargers could look to acquire defensive tackle Damon Harrison.

Teams have began releasing players to save some salary cap. On Thursday night, the Lions released defensive tackle Damon “Snacks” Harrison.

Now a free agent, Harrison is bound to draw interest from teams across the league. Could one of them be the Los Angeles Chargers?

When you look at the depth chart, you see the young interior defenders in Justin Jones and Jerry Tillery, but both players play the three-technique. At the nose tackle position is only Brandon Mebane, as both Damion Square and Sylvester Williams are set to hit the free agency market.

Mebane, 35, was re-signed to a two-year deal last offseason, despite the fact that he was contemplating retirement. This past season, he only amassed 27 tackles, marking the lowest in his career since the 2016 season. Mebane missed three games due to an injury.

With only one more year remaining on his contract, the Bolts could elect to move on from him to clear up some of their own cap space before he enters his 14th professional campaign.

Should the Chargers move on from Mebane or simply look to add more beef and talent in the trenches, Harrison is a viable option that the team could pursue.

Harrison started 15 games for the Lions in 2019, finishing with 49 tackles, two sacks and three passes defensed. He had 99 tackles, eight tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks in 25 games with Detroit.

Prior to joining the Lions, Harrison played with the Jets and Giants. His best season came in 2016, finishing with 86 tackles, six tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. For his efforts, he earned First-Team All-Pro honors.

Durability is key when acquiring players and fortunately, Harrison has been one of the most healthy individuals for years. 2019 marked the first time he missed a game since his rookie season back in 2012.

Even though he was scheduled to make $8.5 million this upcoming season, it’s likely that Harrison could take a pay cut to join a team that’s likely to contend for a playoff spot, which the Chargers are.

At the age of 31, Harrison offers the player that Los Angeles needs in the middle of the defensive line to make plays as a pass-rusher and against the run, along with the same type of locker room presence that Mebane offered the past few seasons.

OT Russell Okung uncertain about future with Chargers

There’s a chance that the Los Angeles Chargers will be looking to find a new tackle to protect the blindside.

The Los Angeles Chargers will have a new guy under center in 2020, and there might be someone new protecting his blindside, too.

Offensive tackle Russell Okung has expressed uncertainty not only with the direction of the organization, but his future with the team, according to ESPN’s Josina Anderson.

What this could mean is that Okung is aware that he could be a candidate to be cut, especially if the Chargers elect for a total rebuild now that quarterback Philip Rivers won’t be back.

Okung is signed through the 2020 season, but he missed 10 games in 2019 with a serious medical issue prior to the season and various lower body injuries when he returned to the starting lineup.

Because of what Okung endured last season, Los Angeles might be concerned to move forward with him. He will cost $15.5 million next season and releasing him would free up slightly north of $13 million in cap space.

Moving on from Okung isn’t something that the Bolts would like to do, but when availability concerns loom large over the player that has the highest salary cap hit on the team, it might be the most ideal route to go.

Finding capable offensive tackles in the NFL, especially on the left side, isn’t an easy thing to do. But if they were to release Okung, as well as restructure and/or release other players, L.A. should have enough to spend on other big-name tackles to fill the void (if Okung and the franchise part ways).

NFL analyst predicts RB Melvin Gordon’s free agency destination

NFL Media’s Gil Brandt sees running back Melvin Gordon and a team in the AFC North as an ideal fit.

All attention has been shifted to where quarterback Philip Rivers, who’s set to hit the free agency market for the first time in his career, will play next season. That storyline has overshadowed a couple of the notable Chargers pending free agents.

Among the crop is running back Melvin Gordon, who is bound to be one of the more highly coveted backs on the market (should Los Angeles let him test the market).

NFL Media’s Gil Brandt recently played matchmaker, predicting where the 26-year old will play in 2020. Brandt believes that Gordon and the Pittsburgh Steelers would be the perfect pairing.

The Steelers (currently projected to have less than $2 million in cap space, per Over The Cap) might not be able to afford Gordon, who, at any rate, has publicly said he wants to stick with the Chargers. Still, it’s not hard to see Gordon ending up elsewhere, given the way last year’s holdout unfolded. Running back Le’Veon Bell’s absence in Pittsburgh over the past two seasons (as a holdout in 2018 and as a signee with the Jets in ’19) left a void that James Conner and others haven’t really been able to fill. The Steelers have a strong defense (ranking fifth in 2019) and a quarterback who is coming off a major elbow injury and turning 38 in March. Adding Gordon, who is a talented ball carrier and would mesh very well with Pittsburgh’s M.O. of releasing the ball to the running back coming out of the backfield, would surely help Ben Roethlisberger and Co. make the most out of their remaining window.

Gordon spent last offseason and a few games into the 2019 regular season holding out in hopes of receiving a new paycheck. That was never granted, so he decided to return to show his worth. He finished the season with 612 rushing yards (3.8 yards per carry) and nine total touchdowns.

It was an up-and-down campaign for the former Wisconsin product, but durability concerns still loom large and the emergence of Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson could justify the team’s decision to move on from him unless both parties can agree to a friendly deal.