Steelers to bring back Finney
Guard, center will add depth to offensive line
The Steelers are preparing to bring back guard/center B.J. Finney to help with their depth and possibly use him as a replacement for retired Maurkice Pouncey, according to a source.
Finney, who played with the Steelers from 2016-19 and started 13 games for them, was at the team’s South Side facility on Friday getting a physical and taking a COVID-19 test.
Finney was released by the Cincinnati Bengals March 5 after playing in just one game for them last season. The Bengals picked him up in a trade after he signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the Seattle Seahawks in free agency before the start of the 2020 season.
Buccaneers
Tom Brady agreed to a contract extension with Tampa Bay that will enable him to fulfill his goal of playing in the NFL until he is at least 45. The Buccaneers added a year to Brady’s deal, which now runs through the 2022 season, and gained some much-needed salarycap room in the process with three voidable years.
Patriots
New England signed quarterback Cam Newton to a one-year deal, according to The Boston Globe. According to the NFL Network, it’s an incentive-laden deal worth a minimum of $5 million and a maximum of $14 million. Newton can earn an additional $9 million for several accolades such as Pro Bowl, All-Pro, MVP, Super Bowl MVP and also a playoff run. This move kicks off a Patriots offseason in which the team is expected to be aggressive during free agency when it begins next week.
Chargers
Right guard Trai Turner was released by Los Angeles less than a year after he was acquired in a trade from the Carolina Panthers. Turner was a five-time Pro Bowl selection with the Panthers but didn’t have the same success with the Chargers. He missed seven games last season because of knee and groin injuries.
Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes’ contract permits the Chiefs to convert portions of his
salary and roster bonuses into a signing bonus, which would free up significant cap space. The Chiefs can create $17 million with the move, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The move has not yet happened but is anticipated to take place before the NFL’s new league year starts March 17. Teams must drop below the reduced salary cap of $182.5 million by that date. If the Chiefs free up $17 million, they would not only be cap compliant, they would offer themselves room to be active — though still not overly aggressive — in free agency, which starts in conjunction with the new league year next week.
49ers
San Francisco locked up one of their key cornerbacks before the start of free agency by agreeing to a two-year contract with Emmanuel Moseley before he became a restricted free agent. Moseley will earn up to $10.1 million under the contract. Putting together a secondary is a high priority for the 49ers this offseason with cornerbacks Richard Sherman, Jason Verrett, K’Waun Williams eligible to become unrestricted free agents next week.
Bills
Buffalo agreed to sign offensive lineman Daryl Williams to a three-year contract, days before the starter was eligible to become a free agent. Williams is a
sixth-year player, who started all 16 games during his first season in Buffalo. He signed a one-year deal with the Bills a year ago after spending his first five seasons with the Carolina Panthers.
Bears
Chicago and punter Pat O’Donnell agreed to a one-year contract extension for next season. A sixth-round draft pick by Chicago in 2014, O’Donnell holds franchise records for punting average (45 yards) and net average (39.4).
Packers
Green Bay released tight end John Lovett. Lovett played eight games last season while making contributions on offense and special teams.
Jaguars
Jacksonville re-signed cornerback Tre Herndon, preventing him from becoming a restricted free agent. Herndon would have become a restricted free agent at the start of the new league year. An undrafted rookie from Vanderbilt, Herndon started 26 games over the past two seasons.
Dolphins
Punter Michael Palardy agreed to terms on a one-year deal. Palardy, who grew up in South Florida, has a career average of 45.3 yards in six seasons, all with Carolina.