Niners agree to deal with DT Hargrave
Garoppolo headed to Raiders with pending three-year contract
The San Francisco 49ers made a big addition to their stellar defense, agreeing to a four-year, $84 million contract with star defensive tackle Javon Hargrave.
A person familiar with the deal said the sides reached agreement on Monday on the first day teams were allowed to negotiate with free agents from other teams. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the contract can’t be finalized until the start of the league year on Wednesday.
The deal with Hargrave included $40 million in guarantees and gives the Niners a top interior pass rusher to team with AP Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa on the edge.
The 30-year-old Hargrave is coming off his most productive season in seven years as a pro with a career-high 11 sacks that helped Philadelphia beat San Francisco in the NFC title game and reach the Super Bowl.
Hargrave ranked fourth among all interior pass rushers with 57 quarterback pressures last season, according to Pro Football Focus, and provides a big upgrade on one of the few weak spots on San Francisco's defense that was ranked first in the NFL.
Garoppolo headed to Raiders: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo agreed to a threeyear, $67.5 million contract with the Raiders, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Monday, likely answering the question of who will be Las Vegas’ starting quarterback next season.
Condition of anonymity was granted in all deals because free agent contracts can’t be finalized until the new league year begins on Wednesday.
Garoppolo’s contract includes $34 million in the guaranteed money, the person said.
The Raiders have been linked to Garoppolo almost from the moment coach Josh Mcdaniels benched nine-year starter Derek Carr with two weeks left in the season. Carr, the Raiders’ all-time leader with 35,222 passing yards and 217 touchdown passes, has since signed with the New Orleans Saints.
Mcdaniels was the Patriots’ offensive coordinator when Garoppolo backed up Tom Brady in New England beginning in 2014. With Brady locked in as the starter, Garoppolo was traded to San Francisco during the 2017 season and immediately became the 49ers’ starter.
Garoppolo played for the San Francisco 49ers the past six seasons. He took the Niners to the Super Bowl in the 2019 season.
AROUND THE LEAGUE
Atlanta: The Falcons announced that Pro Bowler Chris Lindstrom has signed a fiveyear contract extension, reportedly making him the NFL’S highest-paid guard. ESPN reported the deal, which will keep Lindstrom with the Falcons through the 2028 season, is worth $105 million.
Baltimore: The Ravens released veteran defensive end Calais Campbell.
Carolina: The Panthers agreed to terms on contracts with safety Vonn Bell and defensive tackle Shy Tuttle. ESPN reported that Tuttle’s deal was worth $19.5 million over three years and includes $13 million in guaranteed money, citing agent Drew Rosenhaus. No details have been released on Bell's contract.
Chicago: The Bears agreed to contracts with Buffalo Bills two-time Pro Bowl linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and former Philadelphia Eagles linebacker T.J. Edwards.
Cleveland: The Browns shifted some of the money they owe Deshaun Watson so they can spend more on players to help him. The Browns restructured the quarterback’s record-setting $230 million contract to create salary-cap space ahead of NFL free agency, a person familiar with the situation said.
Detroit: The Lions added cornerback Cameron Sutton to bolster their lackluster defense. The Lions and Sutton agreed to a three-year contract worth $33 million with $22.5 million guaranteed, his agent, David Canter, said.
Houston: The Texans and quarterback Case Keenum agreed on a two-year, $6.25 million contract.
Miami: The Dolphins agreed to terms with quarterback Mike White, a league source told the Miami Herald, bringing in a backup for Tua Tagovailoa in the 2023 season.
Minnesota: The Vikings ramped up their run blocking by agreeing to terms with former Baltimore tight end Josh Oliver on a three-year, $21 million contract.
New England: The Patriots and cornerback Jonathan Jones agreed to terms and the 29-year-old intends to sign a two-year deal worth a maximum value of $20 million, with $13 million guaranteed.
Philadelphia: Eagles center Jason Kelce tweeted he would return for a 13th NFL season. Kelce has long been the heart of the Eagles and one of the top centers in the league.
San Diego: Frustrated by the pace of talks on an extension, the agent for running back Austin Ekeler is seeking permission from the Chargers to speak to other teams about potential trade options. Ekeler has a base salary of $6.25 million in 2023, the final season of a four-year, $24.5-million extension he signed in March 2020.
NFL: The NFL’S competition committee will consider making roughing-the-passer penalties and personal-foul penalties subject to video review.