Former Mizzou football players Chase Daniel, Connor McGovern find new NFL homes
Former Mizzou legend Chase Daniel is again on the move, this time to the Detroit Lions to be a backup for star quarterback Matthew Stafford.
Daniel is signing a three year, $13.05 million deal with the Lions, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported Tuesday. The negotiating period for the NFL opened at 11 a.m. Monday, with players able to sign with teams at 3 p.m. Wednesday.
The former Mizzou quarterback last played for the Chicago Bears from 2018-19. Daniel played in eight games, including three starts, for the Bears in the last two seasons, throwing for 950 yards and six touchdowns.
Daniel starred at Mizzou from 2005-08, throwing for 12,515 yards and 101 touchdowns as one of the most prolific quarterbacks in school history. He led the Tigers in their legendary 2007 season, falling just short of a national championship game appearance after defeating Kansas at Arrowhead Stadium for the No. 1 ranking in the country.
The quarterback wasn’t the only Mizzou player making free agency news Tuesday.
Former Tigers center Connor McGovern is signing a three year, $27 million contract with the New York Jets, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. McGovern played at Mizzou from 2012-15, making 40 starts in his time in the black and gold.
McGovern was drafted in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos. He started all 16 games for the Broncos in 2019.
There are other potential former Mizzou players to look out for in free agency.
Of the names who stand out, linebacker Markus Golden is at the top of the list. He played and started all 16 games for the New York Giants in 2019, amassing 72 tackles and 10 sacks.
He was a leader on the Giants defense and is one of the notable defenders still available.
Offensive lineman Evan Boehm, a former fourth round pick and Lee Summit’s West grad, last played for the Miami Dolphins, playing in 13 games in 2019. Linebacker Kentrell Brothers is also a free agent. He suited up for the Minnesota Vikings for 13 games and collected 23 tackles in 2019.