Bengals Get Joe Burrow Some Protection, Patriots Busy on Wednesday, and Other NFL Bullets
For the first time this week, I was able to slow-roll my way into bullets—no crazy early-morning signings or trades. But I can’t lie; it’s been nice. So let’s start the day by discussing some news that surfaced last night, like the Bengals signing Orlando Brown Jr. to help shore up the offensive line in front of Joe Burrow.
- Joe Burrow is going to get paid. It’s a matter of when not if. So, Cincinnati was wise to throw some money at an offensive lineman to help protect their eventual investment in their franchise QB.
- Cincinnati gave Brown a four-year deal with $31 million in guaranteed money. The Bengals expect Brown to play left tackle, which will move Jonah Williams to right tackle next season. While some saw Brown as a right tackle, he wasn’t willing to move, and the Bengals were ok with that.
- And the Bengals’ signing of Brown brings the speculation that he was on the Bears’ radar to an end. Luis discussed that last night:
- In other Wednesday night news, apparently, Darius Slay isn’t being released by the Eagles after all. It was reported on Wednesday morning that the two sides were prepared to part ways after failing to rework the final year of Slay’s deal. But Slay tweeted on Wednesday night that he was back:
- Slay is in the last year of his contract and will make $17 million this season. No deal has been reached, but the two sides are working toward a resolution that will keep the veteran cornerback in Philadelphia.
- Another player I assumed was as good as gone but apparently sticks around is Saints quarterback Jameis Winston. With Derek Carr in town, Winston’s cap hit was a luxury they couldn’t afford. Good thing for them; Winston was willing to take a pay cut to stay in New Orleans.
- In a social media post, Winston said that he is “still a championship-caliber starting quarterback” in the NFL. Still, Winston believes another year in New Orleans is best for his long-term success in the NFL. Winston has dealt with injuries for much of his time in New Orleans, and a pressure-free season as Derek Carr’s backup will serve him well.
- Staying in the NFC South, the Carolina Panthers made a splash on Wednesday evening. The Panthers signed former Eagles running back Miles Sanders to a four-year, $25 million deal. Sanders ran for 1,269 yards on 259 carries with the Eagles last season. He will join Chuba Hubbard in the Carolina backfield next season.
- The New England Patriots were a busy bunch on Wednesday. First, new England was reportedly checking in on wide receivers De’Andre Hopkins, Jerry Jeudy, and Odell Beckham Jr. Then they signed former Steelers and Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Schuster-Smith to a three-year deal worth $33 million (the same contract that Jajobi Meyers got from the Raiders).
- The Patriots also added a running back this morning, agreeing to a deal with James Robinson. Robinson was an undrafted rookie in 2020 and started his career with the Jaguars. He was traded to the Jets last season after Breece Hall went down with a season-ending injury. Now he heads to New England on a two-year deal. The contract will pay Robinson a max value of $80 million. Robinson ran for 1,070 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2021 but has seen his production dip since.
- The Bears landed a backup quarterback last night. Former Panthers’ QB PJ Walker will join his pal DJ Moore with the Bears next season.
- Walker’s deal with the Bears is a two-year deal. I had Marcus Mariota pegged as a sensible backup for Justin Fields, but Walker serves the same purpose (schematically) and comes at a lower price.
- Running back Chase Edmonds is heading to Tampa Bay. Edmonds is a low-cost, high-upside signing for Tampa Bay and will pair with Rachaad White in the backfield. Does this take Tampa Bay out of the Bijan Robinson conversation? I don’t know what the Buccaneers are doing this offseason, but none of it makes sense.
- Did you catch the WBC action last night? Team USA is moving on to the quarterfinals. So is Puerto Rico.
- Unfortunately, Puerto Rico lost reliever Edwin Diaz to a knee injury after a freak accident after the game:
