Chargers bringing in kicker Janikowski for look-see
LOS ANGELES — As teams retooled their rosters in the first moments of free agency, the Los Angeles Chargers unsurprisingly took a more subtle approach.
Some teams needed quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers or top line offensive linemen. Some needed players who could sack the quarterback or lock
down on the outside. Those are the signings that get most of the attention — and cost the most dollars.
The Chargers’ approach hasn’t been as flashy. In the first official day of free agency, the team kept a pair of key reserves and found themselves a tight end who is known more for his blocking.
But Thursday? That’s when the Chargers could make the most impactful move of their offseason.
The team is set to host former Oakland kicker Sebastian Janikowski for a visit as they try to determine the best way to fix a stadiumsized deficiency on special teams.
Janikowski, 40, missed all of last season in Oakland with a back injury. But if he’s physically able, he’s been one of the most consistent kickers in the NFL. — By Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times
Vikings acquiring QB Siemian in trade
The Minnesota Vikings have a backup quarterback.
Trevor Siemian is being traded from the Denver Broncos to the Vikings, the Star Tribune confirmed, in a deal that also swaps draft picks. The Vikings are sending an undisclosed 2019 draft pick to Denver in exchange for Siemian and a 2018 late-round pick.
Siemian, 26, leaves a Broncos logjam and comes to the Vikings where he’ll be the backup
quarterback. The Vikings are expected to establish the No. 1 quarterback when Kirk Cousins signs a massive contract on Thursday at the team’s Eagan headquarters. It’s no coincidence this deal was done quickly during the onset of free agency, since Siemian is represented by the same agent, Mike McCartney, as Cousins. — Andrew Krammer, Star Tribune (Minneapolis)
QB market settles as Falcons work on Ryan’s contract extension
The winds of quarterback change were intense as the NFL began its new business year on Wednesday.
The Atlanta Falcons, who are in the midst of negotiating a contract extension with quarterback Matt Ryan, had to pay close attention with the hopes that deals didn’t spin out of control in free agency.
The key deal for the Falcons was the Vikings giving former Washington Redskins signal caller Kirk Cousins a three-year, $84 million deal that averages $28 million. After the San Francisco 49ers signed unproven Jimmy Garoppolo to a five-year, $137.5 million deal ($27.5 million average), there was a free-agency scenario where quarterback-starved teams would get into bidding war for Cousins and make the annual salaries at the position soar.
With much now settled, the Falcons can breathe a bit easier. They can finish work on an extension for Ryan that will average close to $30 million per year.