NFL Free Agency Latest Moves and Breaking News

NFL free agency has been wild even though it hasn’t even started. Tom Brady will reportedly move down to Tampa Bay; Cam Newton shares his disputes with the Panthers all over the internet while the team signed Teddy Bridgewater in the meantime, and Philip Rivers joined the Indianapolis Colts. Now that is just the tip of the iceberg.

Foles to Chicago Bears

Nick Foles has been traded to the Chicago Bears. The Jacksonville Jaguars decided to go into a rebuilt and to ship their a supposed to be starting QB to Illinois. In return, the Jags will get the Bears’ compensatory pick from the fourth round, the 140th overall.

According to the latest intel, Foles reconstructed the deal with Chicago and has $21 million guaranteed for the upcoming three years. He signed with the Jags last offseason and was expected to be the starting QB and the new leader, but the injury in Week 1 against the Chiefs had to sit out until Week 11.

QB trade: Jacksonville is trading QB Nick Foles to Chicago for the Bears’ compensatory fourth-round pick, sources tell ESPN.

Bears’ coaches such as Matt Nagy have worked with Foles in past and know him well.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 18, 2020

Unfortunately, Foles didn’t provide an impact expected, and it was better for the Jaguars to trade him than continue paying his $88 million four-year contract.

In the meantime, Garnder Minshew, the rookie, made a breakthrough and pretty much surprised everyone with his performances. The franchise apparently decided to stick with a younger and cheaper guy who has a lot of talent.

On the other side, the Bears got a QB who knows how to win a title, but it is still way below the expectations. Many names were in option, and Foles’ wasn’t anywhere near the top of the list.

Dante Fowler Staying in Atlanta

The Falcons and the former LA Rams pass-rusher agreed on a three-year $48 million. According to many, this is one of the best moves by one team from the start of the entire free agency madness.

With 11.5 sacks in 2019, Folwer led the way in LA and was their most dominant defender. After having a turbulent period in Jacksonville where he started his pro career, it seems that the move to California served well for him.

Falcons’ head coach Dan Quinn and Fowler already worked together while being at Florida college, and have a bond which no doubt had a massive impact on this deal.

Carolina Clears More Cap Space

Eric Reid’s stint with the Carolina Panthers has been terminated. The 28-year old safety has been released earlier today, with the team saving $3 million in cap space from his three-year $22 million contracts agreed last year.

The Panthers would also spare $5.5 million on a post-June 1st designation. It is the new policy of the Panthers who are clearing everything after Matt Rhule’s arrival and are apparently building a whole new team.

https://twitter.com/ATLBlackStar/status/1240369859550208000

Once they solve Cam Newton’s situation, that will free more than $19 million, and they already have numerous other cuts that released more money in cap space. So pretty much, it will be very interesting to see their moves in the upcoming month or two.

Raiders Land Eli Apple

The 25-year old cornerback, who is a bit underrated judging by the statements of all experts, will have an ideal place to prove his worth. Jon Gruden and the Las Vegas Raiders offered a one-year agreement to Apple, who will have a chance to take a step forward and showcase that he has the potential to be an elite defender.

While he played for the Giants and the Saints, we’ve seen a lot of shiny, but also many bad moments from this guy who struggled with inconsistency.

Broncos Trade for Jurrell Casey

The five-time Pro Bowler will land in Colorado, after the trade deal between the Broncos and his Titans. Denver sends a seventh-round pick for the nine-time veteran. He signed a four-year deal in 2017 worth $60 million. Casey is to earn more than $26 million over the next two years.

Brady to Bucs

After 20 years spent with the New England Patriots, Tom Brady announced yesterday that he would be leaving the franchise with whom he won 6 titles. And right out of nowhere, until the end of the day, the news broke out that the three-time MVP aims to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

To be clear: Former #Patriots QB Tom Brady has an agreement in principle to join the #Bucs, source said. It is believed to be roughly $30M per year.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 17, 2020

There was no official confirmation about this move, but apparently, everything is already ready for it, and the only thing which slows down this deal is the start of the free agency.

According to insiders fro the league, the offer Brady received is worth $30 million per year, but there is more. The next Super Bowl will take place in Tampa Bay, and many see Brady’s move as an indication that the Bucs would give a massive push in order to become the first team in the history who reached SB and played it on its own court.

Newton Soon to Leave Panthers, Bridgewater In

Cam Newton publicly ripped his Panthers, who stated that the QB allowed the organization to work on a trade deal for him. The former MVP said that he never asked for the same and that the Panthers are manipulating with information.

After he wrote that in response to Carolina’s post on Instagram, Greg Olsen replied, “Sounds familiar.” Just to remind you that Olsen left the franchise in January under not so clear circumstances.

Tom Brady should announce his new team in this goofy Cam Newton font. Do it, Tommy. pic.twitter.com/l6IRO2ukB7

— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) March 17, 2020

In the meantime, Teddy Bridgewater and the Panthers agreed to a three-year $63 million deal. The franchise reunited the new offensive coordinator Joe Brady and Bridgewater, and some say that Brady’s suggestions had a huge influence on making this deal happen.

With 27 years and fully recovered from his devastating knee injury, Bridgewater is ready to roll once again and show his full potential. During Drew Brees’ injury in the last campaign, he guided the Saints to five straight wins as a starter, indicating that he still has what it takes to be a true leader of one crew.

Rivers and the Colts – Bingo

If there is a more fitting person to replace Andrew Luck in the Indianapolis Colts, that is Philip Rivers. It is what the majority of the experts agree upon.

The veteran QB and the Colts reportedly agreed on a one-year $25 million deal. The franchise from Indianapolis has a good team, but all the adversities they faced last season prevented them from showing that. After Luck’s surprising retirement, and Jacoby Brissett’s injury struggles, Colts lost seven of the final nine games and were left out of the playoff zone.

Philip Rivers is heading to Indianapolis! @Colts pic.twitter.com/wCdQGaoplO

— NFL (@NFL) March 17, 2020

The year before, they indicated a massive potential, but with all these issues, Frank Reich’s side couldn’t post results, which many expected from them.

Already now, there are huge debates whether might Colts turn out to be dark horses in the upcoming season. This team has one of the best offensive lines in the league and the top running game too. With Rivers, who is arguably among top passing QBs in the history of the game, nothing is impossible for this crew.