Rick Wagner is staying in the NFC North.
The free-agent tackle, released recently by the Detroit Lions, has agreed to terms on a two-year deal for $11 million with the Green Bay Packers, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport and NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported.
Wagner's signing is protection against a likely divorce between Green Bay and 30-year-old Bryan Bulaga, who is headed to free agency this week.
With younger left tackle David Bakhtiari in line for a new deal a year from now, the Packers couldn't afford to invest heavily in two tackles near 30 years old in consecutive years. With the 30-year-old Wagner available before the start of free agency, the Packers are making the wise move of signing a starter to what is likely a more affordable deal before the market officially opens.
Elsewhere in the NFL on Monday:
»*Kendall Fuller* is returning to the Washington Redskins. The former Chiefs (and Redskins) cornerback is signing a four-year deal worth $40 million, Rapoport and NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported on Monday night. Fuller was a part of the trade that brough Alex Smith to D.C. ahead of the 2018 season.
D.C. is also re-signing linebacker Jon Bostic to a two-year deal worth $6.6 million, Rapoport reported.
»In a surprising move, the Houston Texans traded wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and a fourth-round pick to the Arizona Cardinals for running back David Johnson, a second-round pick and a 2021 fourth-rounder, Rapoport reported.
The move came after the Cardinalsplaced the transition tag on Kenyan Drake and now can match any offer he gets in free agency, per Rapoport.
Later on Monday, the Texans agreed to terms with receiver Randall Cobb on a three-year, $27 million deal with $18.75 million guaranteed, NFL Network's James Jones reported. Houston also re-signed backup QB AJ McCarron to a one-year, $4 million deal, Pelissero added.
»The New York Giants will keep Leonard Williams for at least another season. The team announced Monday it will use the franchise tag on the defensive lineman after it was reported both sides weren't close on a long-term deal.
New York made a qualifying offer (second-round tender) to kicker Aldrick Rosas.
Big Blue agreed to terms with linebacker Blake Martinez late Monday night on a three-year, $30 million deal, Rapoport and Garafolo reported.
»The Indianapolis Colts have had discussions with free-agent quarterback Philip Rivers, Rapoport reported. While nothing is done, he's the clear target for Indy, Rapoport added.
»*Todd Gurley* is another big-name player whose name is coming up in trade talks, per NFL Network's Michael Silver. The Rams, according to one GM who has discussed a potential deal with the team, are seeking a pick between the second and fourth rounds for the star RB, Silver added. A swap could come down to a new team's willingness to take on Gurley's contract. He's due for a $7.55 million bonus if still on the roster on March 20.
Silver also reported the Rams are working to re-sign four of their impending free agents: offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth, center Austin Blythe, and defensive linemen Dante Fowler.
»The Baltimore Ravens and defensive lineman Michael Brockers have agreed to terms on a three-year, $30 million deal, Rapoport and Garafolo reported. Brockers will gets $21 million guaranteed, Garafolo added. This is Baltimore's second addition to the defensive line this week; the Ravens traded for veteran DL Calais Campbell on Sunday.
»The San Francisco 49ers and defensive end Arik Armstead reached an agreement on a new five-year contract for $85 million, according to Rapoport.
After locking up Armstead, San Francisco traded star defensive linemanDeForest Buckner to the Colts for the No. 13 overall pick in the 2020 draft. Buckner is signing an extension for $21 million per season with Indianapolis, Rapoport added.
The 49ers also signed tackle Shon Coleman to a one-year extension, the team announced.
The Niners are also bringing back safety Jimmie Ward, according to Garafolo. The deal is for three years and $28.5 million, according to Rapoport.
»What will it take to land Jadeveon Clowney? Perhaps more than $21 million per season, Pelissero reported. The free-agent edge rusher is seeking a new contract higher than Buckner's new extension and what DeMarcus Lawrence received last year from the Cowboys. Pelissero added that the Seahawks are interested in bringing Clowney back, although they might not meet his asking price, while the Jets have also been in communication with the star defensive end.
»The Chicago Bears are not expected to sign quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, Garafolo reported. There are other QB options in play there, Garafolo added.
»The New York Jets are signing ex-Seahawks tackle George Fant to a three-year deal worth $27.3 million, Rapoport reported, per a source. Fant can make up to $30 million.
»The Seattle Seahawks are giving tight end Jacob Hollister the second-round tender, Garafolo reported.
Seattle is also re-signing defensive tackle Jarran Reed to a two-year, $23 million contract, a source told Pelissero.
»The Baltimore Ravens gave restricted free agent Matt Skura the low tender, Garafolo reported. The low tender means the Ravens will not receive any compensation if Skura signs an offer sheet with another team and the Ravens don't match. Skura is returning from a significant knee injury but has started 39 games for Baltimore over the last three years.
Baltimore also made a pair of moves involving Hursts. The Ravens traded Hayden Hurstto the Falcons and released guard James Hurst.
»The Indianapolis Colts are releasing defensive tackle Margus Hunt, Rapoport reported. Hunt, a 2013 second-round pick of the Cincinnati Bengals, has spent the last three seasons with the Colts, appearing in 47 of a possible 48 regular-season games and recording 76 tackles, six sacks and one forced fumble over that span. At 32 years old, Hunt's future is uncertain, though he's proven to be dependable when it comes to availability.
»One year after his career was in doubt, offensive tackle Ereck Flowers is signing a three-year, $30 million deal with the Miami Dolphins that includes $19.95 million guaranteed, per Rapoport.
Miami also agreed to terms with former Bengals safety Clayton Fejedelem to a three-year, $8.55 million deal with $3 million guaranteed, per Pelissero.
»The Atlanta Falconsare cutting running backDevonta Freeman and cornerback Desmond Trufant. They also released offensive tackle Ty Sambrailo and tight end Luke Stocker.
»The Kansas City Chiefsplaced the non-exclusive tag on defensive tackle Chris Jones. They picked up the 2020 option for running back Damien Williams as well.
»The Tampa Bay Buccaneersused the franchise tag on NFL sack leader Shaq Barrett. Tampa Bay also re-signed defensive end Jason Pierre Paul to a two-year deal.
»The Green Bay Packersare signing linebackerChristian Kirksey to a two-year deal for $16 million.
»Former Eagles offensive tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai is signing a five-year deal with the Detroit Lions for $50 million, per Garafolo.
Detroit is also signing former Patriots linebacker Jamie Collins to a three-year, $30 million deal that includes $18 million fully guaranteed, Rapoport reported.
»The Cincinnati Bengals are using their franchise tag on star wide receiver A.J. Green, who missed all of the 2019 season.
»A day after locking up QB Ryan Tannehill, the Tennessee Titanshave tagged NFL rushing champDerrick Henry.
»The Dallas Cowboys officially placed their exclusive franchise tag on quarterback Dak Prescott, Rapoport reported.
»The Minnesota Vikings agreed with quarterback Kirk Cousins on a two-year extension for $66 million, which keeps him under contract through the 2022 season.
The Vikingsalso placed the franchise tag on safety Anthony Harris, per Rapoport and Pelissero.
»*Austin Hooper* and the Cleveland Brownshave agreed to terms on a deal that will make him the highest-paid tight end in the NFL, Rapoport, Pelissero and Silver reported.
Cleveland also agreed to terms with right tackle Jack Conklin on a three-year deal for $42 million with $30 million fully guaranteed, Rapoport reported. The former Titan will earn $20 million in the first year.
According to Silver, many NFL execs and coaches believe at least one of the Browns' star receivers -- Odell Beckham or Jarvis Landry -- could be there for the taking in a trade.
The Brownsplaced a second-round tender on running back Kareem Hunt, who played eight games with the team last season after serving a suspension.
Rapoport reported veteran quarterback Case Keenum signed a three-year deal with the Browns for $18 million with $10 million guaranteed, per a source.
»The Pittsburgh Steelers announced they have placed the franchise tag on linebacker Bud Dupree. Pittsburgh also terminated the contracts of linebackers Mark Barron and Anthony Chickillo and receiver Johnny Holton.
»New England is not letting one of the best guards reach the open market. The Patriots are using the franchise tag on Joe Thuney, Rapoport reported.
»Two new teams have emerged as potential landing spots for Tom Brady. Rapoport reported the Chargers and Buccaneers, as well as the Patriots, are interested in signing the 42-year-old star quarterback.
»Tight end Ben Watsonannounced on social media he is stepping away from football. Watson spent the 2019 campaign with the Patriots, who drafted him back in 2004. He caught 547 passes and 44 touchdowns over 16 seasons.
»The Philadelphia Eagles announced they will not place an RFA tender on running back Corey Clement.
»The Las Vegas Raiders have signed former Bears linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski, Rapoport reported. The new deal is for three years and worth $21 million with $13.5 million in guarantees and more available in incentives, per Garafolo.
»The Minnesota Vikings gave restricted free-agent linebacker Eric Wilson a second-round tender, Garafolo reported.
»After 11 seasons, Pittsburgh Steelers guard Ramon Foster has announced his retirement, the team announced.
»The Carolina Panthers released reserve safety Colin Jones after eight seasons in Carolina.
»Garafolo reported defensive tackle David Onyemata is headed back to the New Orleans Saints on a three-year, $27 million deal, per a source.
»The Tennessee Titans are re-signing offensive tackle Dennis Kelly to a three-year deal worth $21 million with $8.75 million guaranteed, Pelissero reported.
»The Buffalo Bills will not tender wideout Isaiah McKenzie as a restricted free agent, sources told Rapoport.
»Defensive end Stephen Weatherly has agreed to a two-year deal, $12.5 million deal with the Carolina Panthers, his agent announced.
