Free Agency QB News, Ravens Release DE Calais Campbell, Chargers Stud RB Austin Ekeler Requests Trade

Raiders, Texans in on QB Jimmy Garoppolo, Tampa Eyeing QB Baker Mayfield

    Free Agent QBs are heating up in the days leading up to the new year. Word on the street is that the Texans and Raiders plan to have a bidding war on Jimmy Garoppolo. As per usual, Jimmy G ended his season early with an injury, but his consistently average QB play keeps him as an ideal placeholder for teams in the midst of rebuilds. The Raiders and Texans are both in the top 5 for cap space and have plenty of room for the QB. However, the Raiders are known for not having a lot of liquid cash and Jimmy could opt for a hefty signing bonus in H-Town.

`    The Buccaneers plan on going from the GOAT to... Baker Mayfield. Mayfield had a solid run with the Rams late last season thereby giving him the little interest he has as a starter. The Bucs are built to win games and Baker could return to be decent enough to make an appearance with the right cast. Tampa is currently just over the cap and will have to settle for a cheap QB like Mayfield rather than a hot name like Jimmy Garoppolo.

Ravens Cut Veteran DE Calais Campbell

    The Lamar Jackson fallout begins as the Ravens can not afford to keep playmakers like DE Calais Campbell. With Baltimore in cap space limbo, they cannot afford to sign free agents without knowing the cost of Lamar Jackson. Losing Campbell and CB Marcus Peters to free agency will be a huge loss for their defense and even if they sign Jackson long-term, they will have nothing to show for it. 

    The Ravens need to avoid destroying the team and allow Jackson to walk, there are too many QBs out there for them to sign to get by to get hung up on Lamar. The longer this contract game plays out the further gone this team will be.

After Contract Dispute Chargers RB Austin Ekeler Requests Trade

    I was blindsided today by this news from one of my favorite players. Ekeler, the fantasy darling, signed a 4-year extension with the team in 2020 and is now feeling undervalued compared to backs around the league. He is a core piece to the Chargers' offense in both run and passing games and definitely could get more from any other team. Personally, I hope this is just a negotiation tactic and that Ekeler does not find himself elsewhere. He enters his final contact year where he is due $6.1 million.