NFL Free Agency Live Blog: Frenzy Of Activity On First Day Of New League Year
BOSTON (CBS) -- Follow along for all the updates leading up to the start of NFL free agency at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday!
7 p.m.: Keep up with the latest in free-agent happenings around the NFL with our NFL Free Agency Tracker.
6:56 p.m.: The Patriots have reportedly added a new wide receiver to their roster.
Brandon Gibson is signing with the #Patriots, I'm told. 1-year deal
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 10, 2015
6:16 p.m.: Though LeGarrette Blount confused some people earlier in the day, he clarified Tuesday night what some missed during his initial tweet.
Just going to get my workout on ppl haha!! I'm still ???? #PatsNation
— LeGarrette Blount (@LG_Blount) March 10, 2015
6:06 p.m.: CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora provides some details on the range of Revis' likely contract.
Revis's reps have told teams they have $48M for 3yrs on the table now, with $40M guaranteed. My sense if that is from the Jets...
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) March 10, 2015
5:51 p.m.: The Pats likely knew that Vereen would be gone, but they have a hopeful contingency plan:
The #Patriots are still searching for playmakers. They inquired about CJ Spiller in that Shane Vereen role.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 10, 2015
5:46 p.m.: The Boston Globe's Ben Volin sheds some light on where the Patriots and Revis may be differing.
I'm told Revis wants $40 mil guaranteed over 3 years and the #Patriots balked at the full guarantee
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) March 10, 2015
The #Patriots don't mind the $40m but want outs in the contract while Revis wants it fully guaranteed
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) March 10, 2015
5:38 p.m.: A.J. Hawk will be a Bengal:
Bengals signing former Packers LB A.J. Hawk.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 10, 2015
5:36 p.m.: The Jets, as expected, released Percy Harvin, and Ian Rapoport says the Patriots may be his eventual landing spot.
Team to watch for Percy Harvin: The New England #Patriots. I'm told there is a good chance that's his spot.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 10, 2015
5:29 p.m.: With the rest of the world on Revis Watch, the Saints may already be making a play on Brandon Browner.
Early entrant into the Brandon Browner chase: Saints. They're interested. They have company.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 10, 2015
5:14 p.m.: If you were curious whether the NFL was serious about its intention to investigate some over-the-line tampering during the "legal tampering" window, it appears as though it is no joke.
NFL sent memos to specific teams today, telling them to hold on to phone records; investigating agreements announced in three-day window.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 10, 2015
5:05 p.m.: In much more minor Patriots news, the team elected to not make offers to Brian Tyms and Greg Orton, making them free agents.
The Patriots declined to tender Brian Tyms and Greg Orton. Wouldn't be surprised if Tyms returns.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) March 10, 2015
4:50 p.m.: Old friend Vince Wilfork may find a new home soon:
Imagine Vince lining up next to J.J. Watt in Houston. Scary.
4:40 p.m.: Brandon Browner may be a free agent, but a return to New England isn't completely out of the question just yet:
Brandon Browner is receiving plenty of interest as a free agent, but a reunion with the Patriots remains a possibility, per source.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) March 10, 2015
4:15 p.m.: The Jets are reportedly signing a corner, just not the corner everyone is watching for.
Jets to sign CB Buster Skrine, per source.
— Kim Jones (@KimJonesSports) March 10, 2015
Maybe that means they know Revis won't be returning. Tom E. Curran of CSNNE thinks the Patriots not picking up Browner's option is a sign they're preparing a big money offer for Revis:
Browner option not picked up adds to feeling his dough was needed for final Revis push.
— Tom E. Curran (@tomecurran) March 10, 2015
4:13 p.m.: If you want to know what the Patriots are doing at the start of free agency, don't ask Brandon LaFell.
Idk what the #Pats doing. I just work there
— Jody Breeze (@Blafell1) March 10, 2015
It is what it is, right Brandon?
4:04 p.m.: It's also not looking good for New England on the Revis front, according to Adam Schefter:
Sense out of New England is that Darrelle Revis is likely to be a Jet, per sources. NE still will make final push. Not over yet.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 10, 2015
Things can change, but it's never good to see Schefter report something like that.
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell no
— Scott Zolak (@scottzolak) March 10, 2015
4:01 p.m.: Happy (NFL) New Year, everyone!
It looks like Brandon Browner is heading to free agency:
Patriots "probably not" not picking up option on Browner. Source.
— Tom E. Curran (@tomecurran) March 10, 2015
Not picking up Browner's option will save the Patriots $4.29 million towards the cap next season.
3:57 p.m.: Well, here's an interesting one for you:
Filed to ESPN: Rams close to trading QB Sam Bradford to Philadelphia for Nick Foles and draft-pick compensation, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 10, 2015
Now the crazy portion of the day can officially begin.
3:52 p.m.: We've officially reached the crazy portion of the day, as Haloti Ngata has reportedly been traded to the Lions.
Haloti Ngata traded to Detroit Lions, according to a source
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 10, 2015
The Lions lost Ndamukong Suh to free agency (or, they're about to in a few minutes), but Ngata would seemingly help fill a void on the D line.
The Ravens confirmed the trade shortly after the report.
The Ravens have traded DT Haloti Ngata to the Detroit Lions.
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) March 10, 2015
3:47 p.m.: Holy smokes! Just minutes before free agency officially begins, we get what could be the story of the day -- or even the whole offseason. The Saints and Seahawks have agreed to a deal that will send Jimmy Graham and a fourth-round pick to Seattle in exchange for center Max Unger and a first-round pick, according to Jay Glazer.
Saints and Seattle have now agreed on trade sending jimmy graham and a 4 to Seattle for max Unger and a 1st
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) March 10, 2015
2:49 p.m.: Brandon Browner will not take a pay cut for next season, meaning the Patriots will have to make a tough decision within the next hour:
Per source, Brandon Browner won't take a paycut to stay in New England. So they either exercise his option as it stands, or cut him by 4 ET.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 10, 2015
... Browner is owed $5.5 million for 2015. Pats allowed him to gauge interest from other teams, and there is interest there.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 10, 2015
2:05 p.m.: LeGarrette Blount caused a few people to skip a heart beat a few minutes ago, sending out this tweet:
Arizona here I come!!! Let's gooo!!!!
— LeGarrette Blount (@LG_Blount) March 10, 2015
Don't worry. Blount is still a member of the Patriots and signed through next season. He's just going to Arizona for vacation.
As @MikeGarafolo said, OLB LaMarr Woodley is signing with the Cardinals. LaGarrette Blount is not. He is on vacation in Arizona, tho.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 10, 2015
1:51 p.m.: This is not exactly a big name, but, Patriots fans will likely care. Jeff Howe reports that James Develin will remain a Patriot.
James Develin is returning to the Patriots, per source. He has signed his exclusive rights tender.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) March 10, 2015
Develin didn't post too many statistics as a fullback, but he did score a touchdown in the AFC Championship Game. He played an important role in the running game, particularly in the regular-season and postseason meetings with the Colts.
1:19 p.m.: Dwayne Bowe could be hitting the market, according to Schefter.
Indications point to Chiefs releasing WR Dwayne Bowe this week.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 10, 2015
Like the rest of the Chiefs wide receivers, Bowe did not catch a touchdown last year. He may not be the force he once was, but he figures to draw interest from a number of teams.
1:09 p.m.: The Titans are going to sign wide receiver Harry Douglas, according to Schefter.
Titans are signing former Falcons WR Harry Douglas to a 3-year deal, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 10, 2015
Douglas caught 51 passes for 556 yards and two touchdowns in 12 games last year.
12:52 p.m.: It looks like Shane Vereen's days with the Patriots are over:
Former #Patriots RB Shane Vereen is expected to sign with the #Giants, I'm told. They needed a versatile back, will likely get it.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 10, 2015
Vereen is cashing in from an overall solid season in 2014, capped off with an 11-catch performance in Super Bowl XLIX. He made 18 catches for 144 yards in three playoffs game this year, and while he never found the end zone, eight of those receptions went for first downs.
The Patriots will miss his presence, especially on third downs, so it will be interesting to see if their rumored interest in Roy Helu picks up.
12:40 p.m.: Trent Cole isn't a Colt after all (or at least not yet):
Trent Cole does not have a deal with the #Colts, per league source. Several teams still remain interested.
— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) March 10, 2015
12:28 p.m.: And we have another move by the Colts, this time on the offensive side. They have reportedly added veteran running back Frank Gore:
Let's try this again: Frank Gore plans to sign with Indy, per source; deal expected to be similar to Philly offer: 3-years, $12M, $7.5M gtd.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 10, 2015
Recently released wide receiver Andre Johnson may also find himself wearing a Colts uniform next season, according to Schefter:
Former Texans WR Andre Johnson scheduled to arrive in Indianapolis tonight to visit, per source. Could be a U reunion with Colts RB Gore.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 10, 2015
Their best years are behind them, but both would be solid veteran additions to a Colts team looking to take that next step.
12:20 p.m.: The Colts remain busy, as Ian Rapoport reports that Indianapolis will sign Trent Cole.
The #Colts are signing pass-rusher Trent Cole
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 10, 2015
Cole has spent his entire 10-year career with the Eagles, where he racked up 85.5 sacks.
12:01 p.m.: A Patriots free agent we haven't talked much about is linebacker Jonathan Casillas, but he's apparently getting a lot of love on the open market:
LB Jonathan Casillas getting quite a bit of love. Giants, Bears, Jets, Patriots are all teams to watch in coming hours.
— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) March 10, 2015
The Patriots acquired Casillas and a 2015 sixth round pick from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the trade deadline last season for a 2015 fifth round pick.
11:15 a.m.: The rumors have been pretty quiet today, but things should pick up as we get closer to the start of free agency.
While it looks like the Patriots are in real danger of losing Shane Vereen to free agency, they may also have some competition for their other running back on the open market.
According to Chris Tomasson of The Pioneer Press in Minnesota, the Vikings have shown some interest in Stevan Ridley as a potential replacement for Adrian Peterson. Tomasson isn't sure how serious the Vikings are though:
However, the source stressed it is all very preliminary and there might not be any interest if Peterson were to remain with Minnesota.
Matt Asiata, who took over for the suspended Peterson in Minnesota last season, is also a restricted free agent, so this could just be the Vikings doing their homework on any available running back.
The New York Jets also reportedly had some interest in Ridley, but have reportedly come to terms with running back Bilal Powell.
10:35 a.m.: We knew teams would line up for Revis, and Ian Rapoport is painting a bigger picture for the corner's market:
More teams to drive up the price tag.
8:30 a.m.: The new NFL year officially begins Tuesday afternoon, and with that marks the start of free agency.
We know what you're saying -- didn't free agency start over the weekend with all the contracts that were agreed upon? We know that Devin McCourty will be back with the Patriots, Ndamukong Suh is heading to the Miami Dolphins, and Jeremy Maclin will join Andy Reid in Kansas City, among many other deals that came to fruition over the weekend.
Technically, none of those deals will be official until 4 p.m. Tuesday, when the NFL calendar flips to 2015. Those deals were all reached during the league's three-day negotiating window prior to the open of free agency, and the contracts can't be signed until the new year begins.
Of course, all eyes are on Darrelle Revis and the New England Patriots. The Patriots reportedly declined Revis' $20 million option for 2015, making him an unrestricted free agent. He's now open to sign with any of the many suitors that will line up for his services.
Ben Volin of the Boston Globe touched on Brandon Browner, Darrelle Revis, Vince Wilfork, Shane Vereen and much more Tuesday morning on Toucher & Rich:
The Patriots and New York Jets are the favorites, but there are a handful of other teams also interested, who have plenty of money to spend, which could end up making Revis' price tag a little too expensive for New England.
There are some rumbles about the guy who plays on the other side of the field from Revis, with The Boston Herald's Jeff Howe reporting the Patriots are letting Brandon Browner explore his worth on the open market. Browner is signed through next season and dumping him would save the Patriots nearly $5 million towards the cap, so there's a chance the two could part ways by this afternoon.
After Revis, the Patriots also have a few other free agents to worry about. Running backs Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen are both unrestricted free agents, as is guard Dan Connolly. There is a good chance Ridley returns on a one-year, incentive laden deal after missing 10 games in 2014 with a torn ACL he suffered in October, but Vereen will probably cash in on his 11-catch performance in Super Bowl XLIX. The New York Giants are reportedly "very serious" about adding Vereen.
The Patriots are exploring backup plans should Vereen leave. According to Mark Daniels of the Providence Journal, New England has checked in on Washington running back Roy Helu, though it's unclearn how interested they are in the veteran back.
Helu has caught 73 passes out of the backfield in the last two seasons. He'd be a solid replacement for Vereen.
— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) March 9, 2015
Connolly should be welcomed back with open arms, especially now with two matchups with Suh on the schedule, but we'll see if the Patriots want to get younger on the offensive line.
There are many big names still out there who didn't shake hands with anyone ahead of Tuesday, and are worth monitoring throughout the day. DeMarco Murray (the NFL's leading rusher in 2014) may be moving on from Dallas, tight ends Julius Thomas and Jordan Cameron may find new homes, and Andre Johnson is free to find a new team for the first time in his NFL career. There are also a handful of corners available should New England need to replace one of the best to ever play the game (though no one wants to see it come to that).
As of late Monday, the Patriots were rumored to be in on outside linebacker Jabaal Sheard to help their pass-rush:
OLB Jabaal Sheard is going to be a steal for one of these teams: #Bucs, #Bengals, #Seahawks, and #Pats all in the running.
— Rand Getlin (@RandGetlin) March 9, 2015
Sheard was a second-round pick by the Cleveland Browns in 2011, and started 50 games over the last four years, recording 23 sacks and seven forced fumbles.
This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the wild rumors we'll get throughout the rest of the day. Stick with CBSBostonsports.com throughout the day on Tuesday for all the rumors leading up to 4 p.m., and all the deals that get signed at 4:00:01 p.m.!