Keeping track of all things NFL and 49ers in one spot today
Update from Kyle, 10:01 a.m. PT: The Steelers have found their quarterback. Mitchell Trubisky is signing a two-year deal with Pittsburgh after serving as Josh Allen's backup at Buffalo last season. Trubisky increased his value even without playing.
This is Jimmy NFL Network's Ian Rapoport takes another team off the list as a potential suitor, said the Colts are interested, although it may be one of the last teams the Panthers and Seahawks decide to do.
Kyle's update, 9:25 a.m. PT: The Athletic's Matt Barrow reports that the 49ers have checked in on free agent wideouts Jakim Grant, Ray-Ray McCloud, and Kleif Raymond. The best position would be for the first two Niners. Grant is one of the most dynamic returners in the league and Kyle Shanahan can find ways to get him involved in the offense.
Kyle's update, 9:08 a.m. PT: Josina Anderson is reporting that five teams are among the 49ers to show initial interest in Packers wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, a name we've taken from each division as our free agency. Included in the preview:
Update from Kyle, 8:52 a.m. PT: It's not even 9 a.m. yet, and the first deal has been announced:
The #Dolphins keep one of their own, reaching an agreement with pass-rusher Emmanuel Oghah on a 4-year deal worth $65M, per @DrewJRosenhaus. He gets $32M fully guaranteed.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 14, 2022
If Ogba's deal is any indication of what the free agent edge rusher market will look like, these players are sure to get paid.
We're already up and running in free agency as some NFL teams started releasing some high-profile names on Monday morning. We'll use this as a tracker for all the moves around the NFL - especially the rumors surrounding the 49ers.
The action unofficially begins at 9 a.m. PT on Monday when the "legal" tampering period begins. Tom Brady "returned" to the NFL before Jimmy Garoppolo was traded by the Niners. Will we finally see the Garoppolo trade announced today? stay tuned.
Rumors
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler linked quarterback Marcus Mariota to a somewhat random 49ers Sunday:
The 49ers guaranteed Nate Sudfeld $2 million in 2022. They're not going to deliver guaranteed funding in the third quarter, so Mariota is unlikely to join San Francisco this offseason.
Fowler also had another head-scratcher, where he said the Niners might be interested in Chiefs edge rusher Frank Clark:
Clarke lost this past season with just 4.5 sacks and seven tackles. That would go for a long season without any production. It would be a surprise for another Chiefs Edge rusher to go back to the well. But it's foolish to chase a player like Clarke, seeing who else is available.
Speaking of Edge Rushers, the Packers released Zadarius Smith on Monday morning:
The #Packers have released Pro Bowl pass-rusher Za'Darius Smith, source said, adding another top defender to free agency. His cap number of $27.6M in 2022 was never going to work. Now, free — and healthy.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 14, 2022
If the 49ers are going to open their wallets for edge rushers in free agency, it will be hard to find a better player than Smith.
The Panthers are offering three players to 49 players interested in testing the free-agent market:
The #Packers have released Pro Bowl pass-rusher Za'Darius Smith, source said, adding another top defender to free agency. His cap number of $27.6M in 2022 was never going to work. Now, free — and healthy.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 14, 2022