Demaryius Thomas signs with the Patriots

Demaryius Thomas
photo courtesy: Associated Press

Demaryius Thomas has finally found a new home for 2019.

On Tuesday Ian Rapoport reported that the 31 year old wide receiver was signing a one-year deal worth up to $6 million with the New England Patriots. The deal includes a $150,000 signing bonus and a base salary of $1.2 million. He has the potential to earn more through incentives and bonuses.

The Super Bowl 50 champion is a 6x Pro Bowler and a 2x Second team All Pro. In his nine year NFL career Thomas has amassed 688 receptions for 9,330 yards and 62 touchdowns.

The deal with the Patriots reunites Thomas with Josh McDaniels who Thomas played under in Denver.

Russell Wilson signs four-year extension with Seahawks

Russell Wilson
photo courtesy: Associated Press

It came down to the wire, but Russell Wilson got a new contract extension.

On Monday night the Seahawks reported that the team had signed the 30 year old QB to a four-year $140 million contract extension with a $65 million at signing and a total of $107 million in guaranteed money. Wilson is now under contract with the Seahawks for five-years at $157 million total and a no-trade clause making him the highest paid player in the NFL.

In his seven year NFL career the Super Bowl champion has been a 6x Pro Bowler, Pro Bowl MVP, 2017 passing touchdowns leader and 2012 NFL Rookie of the Year. Wilson led the team to its first Super Bowl title and seven straight winning seasons, six of which saw the Seahawks win 10 or more games while reaching the postseason.

This new deal locks the prolific passer in Seattle until 2023.

Chris Hogan, Benson Mayowa find new homes for 2019

Chris Hogan
photo courtesy: Getty Images

Chris Hogan has found a new home for 2019.

On Friday the Panthers announced the signing of wide receiver Chris Hogan to a one-year deal. In his 6 year NFL career the 30 year old 2x Super Bowl champion has played in 88 games and amassed 194 receptions for 2,610 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns. He’ll be joining a crowded receiving corp with 8 other receivers already on the Panthers roster. He’s been a good slot receiver though under Brady but as with many receivers that leave the Patriots there’s no guarantee that he’ll continue to produce at that level. We’ll see what happens.

Benson Mayowa is back in the silver and black.

On Friday the Raiders signed the 27 year old Super Bowl champion to a one year deal with a max value of $3 million. In his six year NFL career the 6’3/265 pound defensive end has amassed 115 tackles, 13 sacks, 3 forced fumbles and 4 fumble recoveries. This signing comes just days after the Raiders signed former AAF standout Alex Barrett. With the Raiders defense finishing 26th last season these defensive moves should help this team improve dramatically.

Tyeler Davison found his new home for 2019 too.

On Saturday Ian Rapoport reported that the 6’2/309 pound defensive tackle signed a one-year deal with the Falcons. In his four year NFL career the 26 year old has played in 61 games and amassed 95 tackles, 3.5 sacks and 3 forced fumbles. This shores up a need for the team just ahead of the draft in 2 weeks.

Adam Thielen, Patrick Chung sign extensions with Vikings, Patriots

Adam Thielen
photo courtesy: Associated Press

Adam Thielen just got a big payday.

On Friday the Vikings announced that the 28 year old wide receiver had agreed to a four-year contract extension with $35 million in guaranteed money and a max value of $73 million. The 6’2”/200 pound Minnesota native is a 2x Pro Bowler and a Second Team All Pro. In his six year NFL career Thielen has amassed 293 receptions for 3,897 yards and 19 touchdowns. Thielen has been one of the top receivers in the league amassing over 1200 yards receiving in the last 2 seasons. With Kirk Cousins entering his second season with the Vikings, the extension of their top receiver is a smart move by the team. 


Patrick Chung is getting extra time in New England as well.

On Friday the Patriots announced the 31 year old strong safety agreed to a one-year extension through 2021. Chung was set to earn $2.4 million in 2019 but now will make $6 million this season. In his 10 year NFL career the 3x Super Bowl champion has amassed 727 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 54 pass deflections, 11 interceptions, 1 forced fumble and 1 defensive touchdown. Chung suffered a broken forearm during the Super Bowl but is expected be healthy in time for training camp.

Demarcus Lawrence agrees to five year extension with the Cowboys

Demarcus Lawrence
photo courtesy: Associated Press

With the Cowboys facing the loss of two players on their defense for the 2019 season, the team locked down one of their most valuable pass rushers for the long term.

On Friday ESPN reported that defensive end Demarcus Lawrence had agreed to a five-year $105 million contract extension with the team with $65 million in guaranteed money.

Under the franchise tag, Lawrence would have made $20.5 million for the 2019 season but with this new deal the star athlete will make $21 million per year, making him the second highest paid defensive end in the league behind Khalil Mack.

In his five year NFL career the 27-year-old has amassed 200 tackles, 34 sacks, nine forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries and one interception. He is a two time Pro Bowler and second team All Pro. He finished the 2018 season with 10.5 sacks, 64 total tackles, 23 quarterback hits, one interception, and two forced fumbles making him one of the most consistent and prolific pass rushers in the league.

Alfred Blue, C.J. Anderson, Benny Cunningham find new homes for 2019

C.J. Anderson
Photo Courtesy: Associated Press

Three more players found new homes for the 2019 season.

On Monday running back C.J. Anderson agreed to a one-year deal with the Lions. 

Anderson spent last season bouncing from the Panthers to the Raiders to the Rams before catching on in Los Angeles. Anderson rushed for 299 yards and two touchdowns over the final two weeks of the regular season and 123 yards and two touchdowns in the Rams win over the Cowboys.

In his six year NFL career Anderson has amassed 760 rushes for 3,454 yards and 22 touchdowns along with 108 receptions for 900 yards and five touchdowns. 

Anderson will be the backup to Kerryon Johnson, the 21-year-old running back who broke the Lions 70 game streak of Lions running backs rushing for less than 100 yards last season. This improves Johnson's fantasy draft stock as well.

On Tuesday running back Alfred Blue agreed to a one-year deal with the Jaguars. 

Blue has spent his first five seasons in the league with the Texans. He has played key roles in the backfield and on special teams. 

In his five year NFL career Blue has amassed 673 rushes for 2,407 yards and eight touchdowns along with 69 receptions for 470 yards and two touchdowns.

Blue will be the backup to Leonard Fournette who struggled in Jacksonville last season with injuries and a one game suspension but should bounce back this season with a more reliable backup and new quarterback this season. 

Jacksonville also scooped another running back to shore up their backfield.

On Tuesday running back Benny Cunningham agreed to a deal with the Jaguars.

Cunningham spent the last two years with the Bears after spending his first four years with the Rams.

In his six year NFL career Cunningham has amassed 185 rushes for 784 yards and four touchdowns along with 114 receptions for 1,001 yards and three touchdowns. Cunningham has also returned 110 kickoffs for 2,895 yards.

Blue and Cunningham join Fournette, Thomas Rawls, Dave Williams, and Dimitri Flowers as the current running backs on the Jaguars roster.

Texans safety Andre Hal retires from the NFL

Andre Hal
photo courtesy: Associated Press

Houston Texans safety Andre Hal is calling it a career.

On Tuesday the 26-year-old took to his Twitter to announce his retirement from the NFL:

"One thing I've learned in life is that change is inevitable and life goes through seasons," Hal tweeted. "This season of my life has come to an end. I will be retiring from the NFL. My health did not have anything to do with my decision. "I am completely healthy. Thank you to the Houston Texans organization for giving me the opportunity to live my childhood dream. I also want to thank my family and and friends for all their support. I truly appreciate it."

Hal battled lymphoma last year, but stated his decision to step away from the game now has nothing to do with health issues.

Hal was a seventh round pick by the Texans out of Vanderbilt where he was a second team all SEC.

In his five year NFL career Hal amassed 189 tackles, one sack, two forced fumbles, 31 pass deflections, 12 interceptions and one defensive touchdown.

On June 6, 2018 Hal was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. He was placed on the Texans reserved/non-football injuries list on September 1. Hal's cancer went into remission on September 26 and he was placed on the active roster on October 20. He made his first start of the season in Week 7.
His teammates awarded him the Ed Block Courage Award for overcoming his illness and returning to the field.

Texans head coach Bill O'Brien released a statement via Texans Twitter after Hal's announcement:

 “Andre Hal is the epitome of what it means to be a Houston Texans player. What he overcame last season is nothing short of incredible and is an inspiration to every single person in this building. Over the last five years, Andre’s leadership, infectious personality in the locker room and play-making skills on the field were instrumental to our success. He’s what this place is all about. Although Andre will be missed, I have no doubt that he will be extremely successful in the next chapter of his life.”