NFL/Chiefs free-agent tracker: What happened while you were sleeping (& other updates)
Here is a rundown of all the NFL free agency news affecting the Chiefs. Follow it throughout the signing frenzy for key comings and goings as teams part ways with (and/or bring in) players.
The latest updates are on top:
S Earl Thomas and RB Mark Ingram to Baltimore, 11:30 a.m., Wednesday
It’s the AFC North’s free agency, and we’re just living in it. Cleveland might’ve owned Tuesday night, but the Ravens made a major push Wednesday morning.
Baltimore intends to sign both safety Earl Thomas and running back Mark Ingram, per multiple reports.
Thomas’ deal checks in at four years, $55 million with $32 million fully guaranteed, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Dianna Russini. Meanwhile Ingram’s deal will be for three years and $15 million.
After losing four defensive starters and wide receiver John Brown, the two deals were the Ravens’ first of free agency.
TE Demetrius Harris to Cleveland, 6:30 a.m., Wednesday
Another former Chief is heading to Cleveland.
Tight end Demetrius Harris intends to sign a two-year deal with the Browns, according to multiple reports. There, he’ll join former Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt and general manager John Dorsey.
Dorsey signed the former college basketball player as an undrafted free agent in 2013. Harris spent five seasons on the Chiefs’ active roster, making 57 receptions for 605 yards and six touchdowns in 71 games. Last season, Harris played in 15 games after being suspended for the season-opener for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.
Harris was primarily a blocking tight end for the Chiefs, pairing well with Travis Kelce. Now, he’ll team up with Browns tight end David Njoku.
RB Le’Veon Bell to New York Jets, midnight, Wednesday
No sleep ‘til free agency ends.
Running back Le’Veon Bell is heading to the Jets, according to multiple midnight reports.
Bell’s reported four-year deal is worth a maximum of $61 million with $35 million guaranteed, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
With 2,276 yards, Bell leads all running backs in yards after catch since 2014, according to Pro Football Focus.
The running back joins the Jets after sitting out his final season in Pittsburgh after the two sides failed to agree to a new contract last summer.
He’s the third splash signing by the Jets during the legal tampering period, joining LB CJ Mosley and WR Jamison Crowder.
OLB Dee Ford to 49ers, 8 p.m., Tuesday
The Chiefs’ defensive overhaul intensified Tuesday night, this time with a trade sending pass rusher Dee Ford to the San Francisco 49ers.
Ford, a recipient of the organization’s franchise tag a week ago, will go to the 49ers in exchange for a 2020 second-round pick, a source confirmed to The Star.
According to multiple reports, the deal is in line to be a five-year contract worth $87.5 million.
With Ford gone, the Chiefs are down both of their top pass rushers from a season ago after releasing veteran linebacker Justin Houston on Sunday. But the moves have also freed up nearly $30 million in cap space, including an additional $15.4 million in cap space from the Ford trade.
Some of that $30 million will go to Tyrann Mathieu, whose three-year contract averages to $14 million per year.
WR Odell Beckham to Cleveland, 7 p.m., Tuesday
John Dorsey is not messing around in Cleveland.
The former Chiefs general manager pulled off the biggest move of NFL free agency 2019 (so far, anyway) by trading for Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham, per multiple reports.
In return, the Browns will deal the No. 17 overall pick, a third-round pick and Jabrill Peppers to the Giants, according to the reports.
In Beckham, Cleveland and quarterback Baker Mayfield get a dynamic and elite addition to a wide receiver corps that also includes Jarvis Landry, a good friend of Beckham’s and fellow LSU product.
In his last season in New York, Beckham had six touchdown catches and 1,052 yards on 77 receptions.
CB Steven Nelson to Steelers, 6 p.m., Tuesday
Cornerback Steven Nelson, who will be a free agent when the league year begins, agreed to terms with Pittsburgh, according to a report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Nelson is receiving a three-year, $25.5 million deal, per Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. Nelson was previously on a four-year, $2.9 million deal with the Chiefs. The Oregon State product’s $8.5 million average salary with the Steelers is a significant increase from his previous average salary of $729,363.
Nelson had 180 tackles in his four-year season with the Chiefs along with 35 passes defended and four interceptions — all four coming in the 2018 season.
SLB Damien Wilson to Chiefs, 5:40 p.m., Tuesday
The Chiefs addressed another major need with an impending free-agent signing on Tuesday.
The 25-year-old Wilson is a traditional strongside linebacker in a 4-3 system, giving the Chiefs their first true strongside linebacker on the roster.
With Wilson anchoring the SAM position, fellow former Cowboy Anthony Hitchens is expected to start at weakside linebacker. Reggie Ragland would man the middle. That would make 2018 third-round pick Dorian O’Daniel the team’s top linebacker substitute.
Safety Tyrann Mathieu to Chiefs, 6:30 p.m., Monday
The Chiefs intend to sign safety Tyrann Mathieu, swiping him away from the Texans.
Per multiple reports, the three-year deal, which can’t become official until the new league year opens at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, is worth $42 million.
By adding Mathieu, the Chiefs create a formidable safety tandem between the 26-year-old and strong safety Eric Berry. Mathieu, who racked up 70 tackles, three sacks and two interceptions in his lone season with Houston, gives the Chiefs an elite defender in the middle of the field — something the team lacked in the 2018 season.
Mathieu will earn an average of $14 million per year — the same amount freed up by Justin Houston’s release — in Kansas City as a key piece of new coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s defense.
Center Mitch Morse to Buffalo, 5:50 p.m., Monday
The Chiefs are down one starting offensive lineman.
Center Mitch Morse, who will officially become a free agent when the league year opens on Wednesday, intends to sign a four-year deal with Buffalo, a source confirmed to the Star.
Per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, Morse’s contract will be worth more than $11 million per season, making him the highest paid center in the NFL.
With Morse’s departure, the Chiefs will likely turn to Austin Reiter as their starting center. Reiter started four games in the 2018 season when a concussion sidelined Morse for five games. Reiter, claimed off waivers from Cleveland in September, signed a two-year deal in December worth up to $5.5 million, with a $1 million signing bonus.
Morse, a 26-year-old Missouri product, was taken by the Chiefs in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft. Morse started all 49 games in which he appeared during his four years in Kansas City. He only played seven games in 2017 as he battled an ongoing foot injury, and he finished that season on injured reserve.
QB Nick Foles to Jacksonville, 4 p.m., Monday
This one-time Chiefs quarterback is about to get paid.
According to multiple reports, Nick Foles is set to receive a four-year, $88-million contract from Jacksonville — with $50.125 million guaranteed, per Adam Schefter.
Foles had his career resurrected under the guiding hand of Andy Reid in 2016 when he played three games for the Chiefs, including one start. In Chiefs’ the win against Indianapolis that year, Foles came off the bench to replace an injured Alex Smith and threw for 223 yards and two touchdowns.
After being released at the end of that season, Foles went on to Philadelphia where he helped the Eagles to the Super Bowl LII win. Including his stint with the Chiefs, Foles has started nine games in the last three seasons. Now he’s an $88-million man.
DE Trey Flowers to Detroit, 2:20 p.m., Monday
Cross another player off the Chiefs’ wish list.
Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, former Patriots defensive end Trey Flowers is heading to Detroit on a five-year deal.
With 7.5 sacks last season en route to a Super Bowl, the 25-year-old could’ve been a nice addition to the Chiefs’ new 4-3 front — especially with the release of Justin Houston.
Instead, he’ll be heading to the Motor City.
S Landon Collins to Washington, 2:15 p.m., Monday
At least one more elite safety is off the board.
Landon Collins, who was thought be a top target of the Chiefs, is going to Washington, according to a report from ESPN’s Josina Anderson.
The three-time Pro Bowler is set to officially hit free agency when the league year opens on Wednesday after the Giants declined to use their franchise tag on him. Once official, his six-year, $84 million deal — with $45 million guaranteed over the next three years — will top Eric Berry’s six-year, $78 million deal signed in 2017.
Collins will make an average of $14 million per year, a significant increase from the $11.5 million he would’ve received if he’d been tagged by the Giants.
With Collins off the board, the Chiefs could next elect to target safety Earl Thomas.
OT Trent Brown to Raiders, 11:10 a.m., Monday
Mike Mayock strikes again.
The new Oakland GM made another major move just minutes into the 52-hour legal tampering window by intending to sign OT Trent Brown to a four-year, $66 million contract, according to multiple reports.
The former Patriot will reportedly get $36.75 million guaranteed. His deal, which can’t be finalized until free agency officially opens at 3 p.m. Wednesday, will make him the highest paid offensive lineman in NFL history.
With Brown, a left tackle, joining the team, last year’s first-round pick Kolton Miller could slide over to the right side.
Now, not only does Oakland quarterback Derek Carr have a new target in Antonio Brown, he’ll also have a bit more protection in the 2019 season — something he desperately needed after being sacked 51 times in 2018.
Antonio Brown to Raiders, 11:40 p.m. Saturday
A day after reportedly being destined for the Buffalo Bills, only to have that rumor dissolve in cyberspace, Antonio Brown has a for-real destination in free agency:
The Raiders.
The star receiver who forged his reputation as one of the best in the league in Pittsburgh took a route due west, joining an offense that coach Jon Gruden hopes to craft into a winner.
“He can run every route you dream up,” Gruden said of Brown in December. “I say that about other receivers, but he can run double moves, he can run by you, he can run crossing routes, he’s very good after the catch. What’s the greatest thing about this man? I’ve told all of our receivers, if you get a chance to watch him practice, you’ll see what unlocks the greatness in him.”
Brown, 31, is a former sixth-round pick who became a star in his nine seasons with the Steelers. With Ben Roethlisberger as his quarterback, he’s posted six straight seasons of 1,000-plus yards receiving, three times with double-digit touchdown receptions.
He had 104 catches for 1,297 yards and a career-high 15 touchdowns in 15 games in 2018.
Then, his relations with the Steelers soured. How he’ll mesh with the Raiders and quarterback Derek Carr, as well as other veterans in the locker room, such as K-State product Jordy Nelson, remains to be seen. But he definitely adds another set of good hands to the silver and black’s pass-catching corps.
Chiefs add Hyde: 2:30 p.m. Saturday
The Chiefs found a complement to incumbent starting running back Damien Williams on Saturday.
Carlos Hyde, an Ohio State product who spent his first four pro seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, was added one day after being waived by Jacksonville. He split last season between Cleveland and Jacksonville.
Hyde, listed at 6 feet, 236 pounds, twice eclipsed 1,100 combined yards, rushing and receiving, with the Niners (2016 and 2017). He topped 900 yards rushing both of those years.
Hyde appeared in 14 games last season, starting seven, and finished with 172 carries for 571 yards and five touchdowns. Injuries have been a bit of an issue during his career — he has appeared in 16 games just once in his career, in 2017.
Weddle to Rams: 4 p.m. Friday
At least one potential addition for the Chiefs has come off the board.
Pro Bowl safety Eric Weddle is signing with the Los Angeles Rams, according to multiple reports. Weddle, who was released by the Baltimore Ravens earlier this week, agreed to a two-year deal worth up to $12.5 million, per NFL Network.
Weddle’s deal came together quickly after the 34-year-old arrived in L.A. on Thursday night, according to an ESPN report.
This story was originally published March 8, 2019 at 4:15 PM.