With NFL free agency right around the corner, here are the latest news and rumors around the league from PFN National NFL Insider Aaron Wilson. Make sure to continue to check back here as we update you with the most recent NFL news and rumors on March 9, 2022.
NFL News and Rumors: Panthers sign Julian Stanford
The Carolina Panthers signed linebacker Julian Stanford to a one-year contract extension.
He was scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent.
Stanford, 31, has played in 33 career games and has led the team in special teams tackles for the last two seasons.
He had 11 tackles and a forced fumble.
NFL News and Rumors: Breaking down Mike Williams’ $60 million contract
Mike Williams’ three-year, $60 million Los Angeles Chargers contract has $40 million guaranteed, according to a league source.
Williams received a $21 million signing bonus.
He has fully guaranteed base salaries of $3 million in 2022, $7 million in 2023 and a nonguaranteed base salary of $17 million in 2024, when he’s due a $3 million roster bonus on the third day of league year
NFL News and Rumors: Bills cutting Jon Feliciano
The Buffalo Bills are cutting veteran offensive guard Jon Feliciano.
Feliciano said goodbye to the Bills and the city of Buffalo on his Twitter account.
Feliciano, 30, is a former Raiders fourth-round draft pick from Miami.
He signed with the Bills on a three-year, $14.4 million contract.
The release frees up $3.373 million in salary-cap space.
He played in nine games for the Bills last season and started six games.
NFL News and Rumors: Texans cutting Terrance Mitchell
The Texans have informed starting cornerback Terrance Mitchell that he will be released, according to a league source not authorized to speak publicly.
Mitchell, 29, is a former Dallas Cowboys seventh-round draft pick from Oregon. He spent time with the Kansas City Chiefs before the Cleveland Browns signed him to a three-year, $12 million contract in 2018.
Houston signed him to a two-year, $7.5 million contract last year. In 2021, Mitchell recorded 59 tackles, 1 interception, 3 forced fumbles, and 10 pass deflections. By releasing him, the Texans save $3.1 million against the salary cap.
Seahawks cut Bobby Wagner, say goodbye
The Seattle Seahawks officially cut veteran linebacker Bobby Wagner, and they paid tribute to the eight-time Pro Bowler. A former second-round draft pick, Wagner has been with the Seahawks for a decade. His eight Pro Bowl selections are a team record, and he was named to the NFL 2010s All-Decade team.
“This is an extremely difficult day for the organization,” general manager John Schneider said. “Bobby has been at the center of our defense for the past 10 seasons and always represented our organization with class. He is a special player and person, and we are forever grateful. Bobby will always be a Hawk.”
“Bobby is one of the great Seahawks of all time,” Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said. “His leadership in the community, locker room, and on the field is a tribute to his character and consistency. Bobby set an incredible example for all to follow, and we will continue to follow him all the way to the Hall of Fame.”
Wagner won the Seahawks’ Steve Largent Award in 2017 and was the nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award in 2019. He was a six-time team captain and generated 1,381 career tackles.
Vikings re-sign T.Y. McGill
The Minnesota Vikings re-signed defensive tackle T.Y. McGill. McGill was activated for two games last season from the practice squad and played in limited action, appearing in 33 snaps.
The former Indianapolis Colts reserve lineman had 5 sacks with them, 4 tackles for losses, and a safety. The former undrafted free agent has played in 46 career games, including time with the Cleveland Browns, Philadelphia Eagles, and Chargers.
Ravens cut Tavon Young, veteran tackle retires
Baltimore Ravens cornerback Tavon Young was released, clearing $5.8 million in salary cap space. Additionally, veteran offensive tackle Alejandro Villanueva retired, creating another $6 million in cap space for roughly $11.8 million total savings for Baltimore.
Villanueva is a two-time Pro Bowl selection. The 33-year-old played in 113 games with 107 starts across seven seasons.
The Ravens extended exclusive rights tenders for backup quarterback Tyler Huntley, who played well in four starts when Lamar Jackson was injured, along with Trystan Colon, Nick Moore, Geno Stone, Kristian Welch, and Ty’Son Williams.
Huntley passed for 1,081 yards and 3 touchdowns with 4 interceptions. He also rushed for 294 yards and 2 touchdowns. Lastly, the Ravens re-signed DT Aaron Crawford.
NFL News and Rumors: Cardinals cut Jordan Hicks
The Arizona Cardinals cut veteran linebacker Jordan Hicks, saving $6.5 million against the salary cap and clearing a spot for young linebackers Zaven Collins and Isaiah Simmons. Hicks had 116 tackles and 4 sacks last season and is now an unrestricted free agent.
Additionally, the Cardinals extended exclusive-rights tenders for Jonathan Ward and Antoine Wesley. Ward appeared in 13 games and had 9 carries for 33 yards and 3 receptions for 34 yards.
Jets re-sign Conor McDermott
The New York Jets have re-signed offensive lineman Conor McDermott to a one-year contract, according to a league source. A three-game starter last season, McDermott appeared in 134 snaps on offense, even catching a touchdown.
Jaguars extend Tyrell Adams on one-year deal
The Jacksonville Jaguars have extended veteran linebacker Tyrell Adams on a one-year contract, per a league source. Adams has also played for the Buffalo Bills, Indianapolis Colts, and Houston Texans. In 44 games and 14 starts across his career, he recorded 150 tackles, 5 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery.
Adams played in two games with Jacksonville last season and forced 2 fumbles on special teams. He went undrafted out of West Georgia and had 217 career tackles and 4 interceptions in his collegiate career.
NFL News and Rumors: Titans re-sign three players
The Tennessee Titans re-signed defensive tackle Teair Tart, backup quarterback Logan Woodside, and wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine to one-year contracts.
A former undrafted free agent, Tart started 10 regular-season games last year. He has 21 tackles, 3 quarterback hits, and 1 pass deflection for his career.
Westbrook-Ikhine caught 38 passes for 476 yards with 4 touchdowns last season, proving to be a valuable receiving option.
Dolphins’ Byron Jones has leg surgery
Miami Dolphins veteran cornerback Byron Jones underwent surgery on his left leg, posting photographs on Instagram before and after the procedure.
Jones, 29, wrote a caption: “Having a shaved leg is cool, but it is NOT worth the free surgery afterwards.”
Jones is in a walking boot and is on crutches. He dealt with Achilles, quadriceps, and groin injuries in 2021, missing one game. Jones recorded 58 combined tackles, 10 pass deflections, and 1 forced fumble.
NFL News and Rumors: Giants signing Matt Gono
The New York Giants are signing offensive tackle Matt Gono to a one-year contract, according to a league source not authorized to speak publicly.
Gono previously played for the Atlanta Falcons. A former undrafted free agent, he has started four of 21 career games. He signed a one-year contract last season but underwent surgery and was placed on the reserve/physically unable to perform list and missed the entire season. Gono, 25, was released in January by Atlanta.
Titans not tendering Derick Roberson
The Tennessee Titans don’t plan to tender outside linebacker Derick Roberson as a restricted free agent, according to a league source not authorized to speak publicly.
Roberson had 3 sacks as a rookie. In 2020, he had 9 tackles and a forced fumble. Last season, in five games, Roberson totaled 11 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
NFL News and Rumors: Panthers sign kicker Zane Gonzalez
The Carolina Panthers signed kicker Zane Gonzalez to a two-year, $4.5 million contract. Gonzalez ended last season on a roll, hitting 17 consecutive field goals before injuring his quadriceps warming up for a game against the Buffalo Bills. He was then placed on injured reserve.
Gonzalez hit 20-of-22 field goals last season, connecting on 90.9% of his kicks. That ranked him ninth in the NFL, and he also made 22-of-23 extra points. Gonzalez went 4-for-4 against both the Atlanta Falcons and Arizona Cardinals, which included a 57-yarder against Atlanta.
Stay up to date with the latest in NFL free agency
As the league transitions into free agency, there will be plenty of news and rumors from around the NFL regarding your favorite team. That includes chatter about players who will be on the move (or not) in free agency. Stay updated and keep track of Pro Football Network’s Top 75 Free Agent Rankings to better understand the free agent market.