Everyone expected a free agency flurry when the NFL’s year began on Thursday. Predicting what happened with Brock Osweiler was beyond anyone’s projections.
One year after signing a four-year deal with Houston, then losing the starting job to Tom Savage late in the season before returning and winning a playoff game, Osweiler is headed to Cleveland. The Texans basically took whatever deal they could get to rid themselves of a $16 million payout to the quarterback in 2017. The Browns and Texans are also swapping fourth- and sixth-round picks in 2017, and Cleveland gets a 2018 second-rounder.
Far more predictable was Chicago releasing Jay Cutler, who had no guaranteed money left on his contract. Cutler led the Bears to the 2010 NFC championship game, but otherwise struggled in Chicago.
Yet another QB soon to be on the move, the Cowboys’ Tony Romo teasingly told fans in a tweeted video: “Hey everyone. I just wanted to come to tell you it’s been a crazy 48 hours here. Me and my family felt the outpouring of support and love from all of you. It’s been overwhelming and it doesn’t go unnoticed. I want to say thank you and we have a lot of think about going forward but we’ll see what happens. Until then, I’m just going to keep listening to Bob Dylan.”
Romo could be headed to East Texas to replace Osweiler now that the Texans have room to pay him. Whether Dallas releases its longtime quarterback or works out a trade will soon be known.
As for the Texans-Browns stunner, it’s possible Cleveland, which owns the top pick in April’s draft, will be moving Osweiler, too. But the Browns had plenty of cap room to absorb the financial hit and load up with more draft picks.
“We’re really excited to acquire a second-round draft choice in this trade,” said Sashi Brown, Cleveland’s executive vice president of football operations. “Draft picks are extremely important to our approach in building a championship caliber football team. We are intent on adding competition to every position on our roster and look forward to having Brock come in and compete.”
Cleveland added to the offensive line guard Kevin Zeitler, late of division rival Cincinnati, and center J.C. Tretter from Green Bay. Joel Bitonio got a five-year extension — so much for the Browns’ needs at guard.
Among the busiest teams were the Buccaneers and Eagles, each getting a dangerous receiver for its young passer.
Tampa Bay brought in DeSean Jackson to team with Mike Evans as targets for Jameis Winston.
Jackson is one of five players since the 1970 merger with 26 or more career touchdowns of 50-plus yards. Only Hall of Famer Jerry Rice (23) has more than Jackson’s 22 touchdowns of 60-plus yards.
The Buccaneers also added defensive tackle Chris Baker, late of Washington.
Philadelphia got perhaps the most covered wideout available in Alshon Jeffery, who left Chicago, and also agreed to terms with Torrey Smith, who was cut by San Francisco. Carson Wentz now has two more downfield threats than he did in his rookie season.
Elsewhere:
The Washington Redskins fired general manager Scot McCloughan, the opening day of NFL free agency.
Team president Bruce Allen announced the firing, which is effective immediately.
McCloughan, 46, served as GM for the past two years and had a four-year contract. The day McCloughan was hired, Allen said the new GM would have full control over personnel decisions, but there were splits in the front office on a number of issues.
In a curious turn of events, McCloughan did not attend the scouting combine earlier this month, with a spokesman saying he was “taking care of some family matters.”
McCloughan’s firing puts Allen and vice president of football administration Eric Schaffer in charge of making free agent signings. It’s unclear what the front office structure will be moving forward.
Miami finalized a trade of guard Branden Albert to Jacksonville for tight end Julius Thomas, then added TE Anthony Fasano. The Dolphins kept outstanding safety Reshad Jones, who got a $60 million, five-year contract extension.
Jacksonville bolstered its defense when it agreed to terms with Houston cornerback A.J. Bouye, Arizona defensive end Calais Campbell and Dallas safety Barry Church on deals totaling more than $150 million.
The 25-year-old Bouye agreed to a five-year deal worth $67.5 million, with $26 million guaranteed. Bouye was considered the top cornerback on the market and will start opposite budding star Jalen Ramsey.
Also, they re-signed WR Bryan Walters and released DT Sen’Derrick Marks.
The Jets made cornerback Darrelle Revis’ release official. Revis, 31, had been scheduled to make $15 million, including a $2 million roster bonus, this season. The Jets still owe him $6 million as part of the $39 million in guarantees in the five-year, $70 million deal he signed in 2015.
He’s now free to sign elsewhere — but he’ll have to find a team willing to bring him in despite being a shell of his former shutdown self. Revis is also facing four felony counts, including aggravated assault and other charges alleging he was in a fight with two men on Feb. 12 in Pittsburgh. A pre-trial hearing will be held on March 15.
Buffalo released veteran safety Aaron Williams, who’s plagued by neck problems, and agreed to terms with fullback Patrick DiMarco, former Middlebury College kicker Stephen Hauschka, safeties Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer, and guard Vladimir Ducasse. Hyde can play anywhere in the secondary and also return punts. Hauschka was Seattle’s placekicker for two Super Bowls.
San Francisco was as busy as anyone, agreeing to deals with receivers Pierre Garçon and Marquise Goodwin, QB Brian Hoyer, TE Logan Paulsen, kicker Robbie Gould, linebacker Malcolm Smith — the MVP of the 2014 Super Bowl — and FB Kyle Juszczyk.
The Panthers broke from their traditionally conservative free agency spending and gave left tackle Matt Kalil a five-year deal worth $55.5 million. It’s the largest ever given out by the Panthers to an incoming free agent, and he joins his older brother Ryan Kalil, Carolina’s two-time All-Pro center.