49ers bring in Hargrave, grab Darnold for depth
The San Francisco 49ers made a big addition to their stellar defense by agreeing to a four-year, $84 million contract with star defensive tackle Javon Hargrave.
A person familiar with the deal said the sides reached an agreement Monday, the first day NFL teams were allowed to negotiate with free agents from other teams. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the contract can’t be finalized until the start of the new league year Wednesday.
The deal included $40 million in guarantees and gives the 49ers a top interior pass rusher to pair with AP defensive player of the year Nick Bosa on the edge.
The 49ers also filled another hole quickly, agreeing on a oneyear deal with quarterback Sam Darnold, according to another person who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the deal hadn’t been finalized.
• BRONCOS: Denver strengthened its offensive line, agreeing to deals with right tackle Mike Mcglinchey and left guard Ben Powers, according to a person familiar with the moves.
The Broncos later fortified their defensive line, agreeing to a deal with Zach Allen, and they also agreed to a deal with quarterback Jarrett Stidham, according to that person.
• CHARGERS: Eric Kendricks agreed to terms with Los Angeles, giving the franchise a veteran inside linebacker for a unit that has struggled in the past few seasons.
Kendricks posted about joining the Chargers on Instagram. He was drafted by Minnesota in the second round in 2015 and spent eight seasons with the Vikings before being released March 6.
• CHIEFS: Jawaan Taylor
agreed to a four-year, $80 million contract with Kansas City to replace Orlando Brown Jr. as the blind-side protector for quarterback Patrick Mahomes, a person with knowledge of the deal said.
Taylor, 25, has started all 66 games he has played in since entering the league as a secondround draft pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2019.
RAVENS: Baltimore released
l
defensive end Calais Campbell. The 36-year-old announced last month that he was coming back for a 16th NFL season.
FALCONS: Atlanta agreed to
l
a four-year, $64 million contract with safety Jessie Bates, a person familiar with the deal said.
The Falcons also agreed to acquire tight end Jonnu Smith from the New England Patriots, according to a person familiar with that deal. The Falcons are sending a seventh-round draft pick to New England, per NFL Network.
Also, Atlanta announced that Pro Bowl guard Chris Lindstrom signed a five-year contract extension, reportedly making him the NFL’S highest-paid guard. The deal is worth $105 million, according to ESPN.
PANTHERS: Carolina agreed to terms on contracts with safety Vonn Bell and defensive tackle Shy Tuttle, a person familiar with the moves said.
The Panthers re-signed Bradley Bozeman, a standout at center last season, to a three-year deal.
BUCCANEERS: Tampa Bay agreed on a four-year, $52 million deal to keep cornerback Jamel Dean, a person familiar with the deal said.
STEELERS: Pittsburgh agreed on a two-year contract with eight-time Pro Bowl cornerback Patrick Peterson, a person familiar with the deal said.
BROWNS: Cleveland restructured quarterback Deshaun Watson’s record-setting $230 million contract to create salary cap space ahead of free agency, a person familiar with the situation said.
The Browns then addressed needs by agreeing to three-year contracts with center Ethan Pocic and defensive end Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, the person said.
DOLPHINS: Miami agreed to sign former New York Jets quarterback Mike White to a two-year contract, a person familiar with the deal said.
White started four games for the Jets last season after New York demoted struggling starter Zach Wilson.
TITANS: Tennessee and fensive lineman Andre Dillard agreed to a three-year, $29 million contract, a person familiar with the deal said.
GIANTS: New York and linebacker Bobby Okereke agreed on a four-year, $40 million contract with $22 million guaranteed, according to a person familiar with the deal.
PATRIOTS: A person with knowledge of the negotiations said cornerback Jonathan Jones intends to sign a two-year deal worth $20 million, with $13 million guaranteed, to remain with New England.
BENGALS: Cincinnati agreed on a three-year, $21 million deal to re-sign linebacker Germaine Pratt, a person familiar with the deal said.
BILLS: Buffalo freed up more than $30 million in salary cap space after restructuring the contracts of quarterback Josh Allen and edge rusher Von Miller, a person with direct knowledge of the moves confirmed.
Buffalo began using its newfound cap room by reaching an agreement with Dallas Cowboys guard Connor Mcgovern on a three-year contract, a second person with direct knowledge of the situation confirmed.