The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Vikings signing QB Darnold; RB Henry heads to Ravens
Minnesota needed a quarterback after Cousins left for Atlanta.
The Minnesota Vikings have agreed on a one-year, $10 million contract with quarterback Sam Darnold, a person with knowledge of the terms told The Associated Press on Tuesday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal can’t be signed until the new league year opens today.
Darnold, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 draft, joins his fourth team and has an opportunity to replace Kirk Cousins, who is heading to the Falcons. Darnold, 26, is 21-35 as a starter for the Jets, Panthers and 49ers. He spent last season backing up Brock Purdy in San Francisco and started one game. Darnold has thrown 63 touchdown passes and 56 interceptions in 66 career games.
The Vikings also are adding running back Aaron Jones, who was released Monday by the Packers after they landed 2022 All-Pro Josh Jacobs. Jones will get a oneyear, $7 million contract, a person with knowledge of the terms told The Associated Press.
RAVENS: Agreed to a two-year contract with free agent running back Derrick Henry, said a person with knowledge of the deal. The deal is worth up to $20 million and includes $9 million guaranteed.
Henry, a two-time NFL rushing champ with the Titans, joins a Baltimore team that annually produces one of the league’s leading ground games. The running back room was a major offseason concern for the Ravens because Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins became free agents. Edwards agreed to a deal with the Chargers.
Henry’s eight-year NFL career includes a 2020 season when he rushed for 2,027 yards, becoming the eighth player to surpass 2,000. Henry turned 30 in January. He led the NFL in 2023 with 280 rushing attempts and ranked second to Christian McCaffrey with 1,167 rushing yards.
COMMANDERS: Agreed with quarterback Marcus Mariota on a one-year contract with a base salary of $6 million that can be worth up to $10 million, said a person familiar with the deal. Mariota, 30, has appeared in 90 games and started 74 for four teams (including the Falcons) since being taken with the second pick in the 2015 draft, most recently serving as Jalen Hurts’ backup in Philadelphia last season.
Adding Mariota increases the likelihood of Washington trading starting quarterback Sam Howell, then using the No. 2 pick on a quarterback. LSU’s Jayden Daniels and North Carolina’s Drake Maye are among the prospects expected to be available if Chicago takes USC’s Caleb Williams first.
DOLPHINS: Miami added needed outside linebacker help, agreeing to terms with veteran Shaq Barrett on a one-year contract worth up to $9 million, his agent Drew Rosenhaus confirmed. Barrett, 31, spent the past five seasons with the Buccaneers, where he had 45 sacks, 15 forced fumbles and three interceptions. Tampa Bay released Barrett this month in a move that saved the team nearly $5 million against the salary cap.
TEXANS: Houston is acquiring running back Joe Mixon from the Bengals, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press. Mixon will replace Devin Singletary, who agreed to a deal with the New York Giants. Mixon led the Bengals last season with 1,034 yards rushing and nine touchdowns. Cincinnati planned to release him after agreeing on a contract with running back Zack Moss on Monday. Instead, the Texans are sending an undisclosed draft pick to the Bengals to keep Mixon off the open market.
BILLS: Reached an agreement to re-sign defensive lineman DaQuan Jones to a two-year contract. Jones is a 10-year veteran and was eligible to enter free agency after completing his two-year contract with Buffalo. Re-signing Jones was an emphasis for the salary cap-strapped Bills.
BROWNS: Reached agreement with former Bills running back Nyheim Hines on a one-year deal. He missed last season after a boating accident in which he suffered a torn ACL.