Dolphins Release LB Kyle Van Noy
Van Noy signed with Miami last offseason for a 4-year $51 million contract and has been released after just one year. Safe to say that Patriots: South Beach continued the trend of signing former Pats and having them blow up in their face. On the bright side, they seemed to have noticed immediately a saved them from future troubles. I fully expect Van Noy to be on the next flight to Boston and see him back in action for a resurgence of New England's defense.
Vikings Release Veteran Tight End
The Vikings have released 10-year veteran Kyle Rudolph. Once considered a top TE in the league turned perennial fantasy disappointment recently had contract issues in Minnesota and rumored to have asked for a trade/release in the past. It seems that these two sides have come to an agreement and Rudolph is free. Rudolph could be expected to be targeted by teams such as the Seahawks and the Chargers if Hunter Henry is not retained.
New York Jets Are Shopping QB Sam Darnold
Just in this morning, reports are coming in that Jets GM Joe Douglas is now taking calls on their starting QB. Some, myself included, could argue that Darnold's shortcomings are a product of the terrible team the Jets have built over his tenure, but at #2 in the draft, the Jets are in prime position to get an upgrade at QB. They can either draft their choice at QB or package that pick along with others to go for their true number one option: Deshaun Watson. Teams rumored to be interested in the former USC-standout are the 49ers, Bears, and Panthers.
Houston Shakes Up RB Room
This past week the Texans have released RB Duke Johnson and restructured RB David Johnson's contract. Duke Johnson's journey to be a real starter in the NFL seems to be over. In Cleveland, Duke was a strong complement in the backfield as a pass-catching back, driven to be a true starter he asked for a trade and was sent to the Texans in 2019. During his 2-year tenure, he amassed a whopping 645 rushing yards, 659, receiving yards, and a total of 7 touchdowns, something most good starting running backs can only accomplish in just under 16 games. In other disappointing running back news, RB David Johnson has restructured his contract with Houston and inked a new 1-year deal worth $6 million. After robbing the Cardinals blind and being terrible compensation for All-Pro WR DeAndre Hopkins, Johnson is finally getting his true worth, while also being on a prove-it deal to see if he can finally return to his 2015 form (Spoiler Alert: He won't).
Russell Wilson Says He is Fed Up with Seahawks Poor Offensive Line
Seahawks QB Russell Wilson has been sacked 394 times in NINE years. No wonder the Seahawks can't win anything. Wilson is on pace to shatter Brett Favre's sack record in half the time. Trade rumors have been circling the star QB. Allegedly he's confirmed four spots to be Las Vegas, Chicago, Dallas, and New Orleans. Wilson has a no-trade clause in the $140 million dollar deal he signed in 2019 and he has not formally asked to be traded from Seattle. It is fun to think about stars moving around the league, but considering 2019 Wilson to the Giants rumors did not gain traction I believe that these ones will fall flat as well. Do not expect Wilson to move as he is likely to be a Seahawk for a very long time. Go Hawks!
Jets Franchise Tag Safety Marcus Maye
The first franchise tag designation of the offseason so far. Franchise tags opened up last Tuesday but with an unknown salary cap, teams are waiting until next week to start the mass purge of players to kick off the free agency frenzy on March 17th. Finishing out his rookie deal during a contract year Maye is the number five best safety according to PFF. Obviously one of the few talents left in New York it is imperative that the Jets pay Maye his money before he walks out the door similar to their last star safety.
Las Vegas-Washington QB Trade Falls Flat
This past week we almost had the QB carousel spinning again. Rumors surrounding the Washington Football Team and QB Marcus Mariota may have not been rumors after all. Issues surrounding the trade were Mariota's high salary for a backup and trade compensation for the raiders. According to The Athletic league sources estimate that Mariota would be worth about a 5th round pick which apparently the WFT was not willing to pay. Expect Mariota's name to continue to bounce around as the Patriots have also been expected to target him or he could plainly enter free agency as a cap casualty in the following week.
Texans "Won't" Trade QB Deshaun Watson
Watson recently met with new Texans HC David Culley to try to convince the QB to stay in town. Watson reconfirmed his message that he wants to be traded and now his team is coming out to say that Watson is not afraid to sit out the 2021 season if his demands are not met. New GM Nick Caserio has also allegedly stopped answering trade calls for Watson. Many insiders believe that Watson will be available, just not right now. I expect Watson to, at the latest, be traded on or near draft day as the Texans try to gain as much capital as they absolutely can. Some say a mystery team is expected to pull a Mike Ditka and offer the whole farm (all their draft picks, see: 1999 NFL Draft) to receive this superstar.
by Brandon McCann
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