The pipeline from New England to Detroit remains open.
Former Patriots free-agent defensive lineman Danny Shelton is signing a two-year contract worth $8 million, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday, per agent Drew Rosenhaus.
Shelton spent the past two seasons in New England. The 26-year-old played at a higher level in 2019, earning three sacks with 61 tackles. He joins fellow ex-Patriot Jamie Collins leaving New England to join Matt Patricia in Detroit.
Shelton's time with the Patriots didn't overlap with Patricia, but it's clear the ex-New England staff in Detroit seeks the same type of defenders. Shelton, a former Cleveland Browns first-round pick, also comes cheaper than some other DTs who have agreed to deals this offseason, as Lions GM Bob Quinn attempts to revamp his defensive line.
The Lions also added some depth to their defensive backfield with ... another former Patriot. Detroit traded for safetyDuron Harmon, who had been in New England since being drafted in 2013 and played under Patricia for five seasons.
Elsewhere in the NFL on Wednesday:
»The Bears look to have a new starting quarterback. They are sending a fourth-round pick to the Jaguars for Nick Foles, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported. Foles' contract will be restructured in Chicago, Garafolo added.
As NFL Network's Tom Pelissero noted, Jacksonville paid $30.5 million for one season of Foles, who started four games and leaves behind $18.75 million in dead money on the salary cap.
»*Philip Rivers* wasn't the Colts' lone consideration at quarterback. Garafolo reported that before reaching an agreement with the 38-year-old Pro Bowler, Indianapolis was looking into multiple QB options, including a potential trade for Foles.
»Rivers' former team is poised to stand pat in free agency at the QB position. After not landing Tom Brady, Garafolo and Rapoport reported the Chargers are prepared to move forward with Tyrod Taylor as their starter, while keeping the door open on drafting a long-term option.
"Brady was always kind of an outlier," Garafolo said on Free Agency Frenzy. "It was just, Tom Brady's available. We've got the potential to bring him as we're moving into this new stadium, to have him come out here and be part of our organization. Maybe he doesn't fit what we want to do offensively, but don't worry, we'll make it work. That's more or less what this was. ... Taylor] can do some of the things that you want to do off of your running game, the ability to boot and those things that [Philip Rivers couldn't do. And now you're running the ball more effectively, that was part of the reason that they traded for Trai Turner."
Former Broncos cornerback Chris Harrisis headed to theChargers, Rapoport reported. Harris, one of the best available free agents, made four Pro Bowls in his nine years with Denver.
»Green Bay Packers tight end Marcedes Lewis has signed a one-year deal worth $2.25 million, including more than $1 million guarantee, to remain with the team, per Rapoport via an informed source.
»The Panthers' acquisition of Teddy Bridgewater has left former MVP Cam Newton without a starting job. Rapoport reported that Carolina had discussions with the Bears, who on Wednesday traded for Foles, and the Chargers, who are no longer planning to acquire another veteran QB.
Carolina announced they have released veteran safetyEric Reid after two seasons.
"There is no known landing spot for Cam Newton right now," Rapoport reported. "... At this point it seems the most likely option is a release. We've got no official word on that yet but that is certainly a possibility for Cam Newton."
»The Minnesota Vikings have terminated the contract of guard Josh Kline.
»NFL Network's Mike Girardi reported the Patriotswill pursue another option at quarterback after parting ways with Brady, but are not rushing to do so.
New England is signing former Buccaneers defensive tackle Beau Allen to a two-year deal for up to $8 million.
»Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jurrell Caseyis being traded from the Titans to the Broncos in exchange for a seventh-round pick. Acquiring one big contract might mean unloading another. Rapoport reported Denver will likely release veteran QB Joe Flacco after just one season, per a source. That situation is expected to be resolved later today.
The Broncos put a second-round tender on defensive lineman Mike Purcell, Pelissero reported per Purcell's agent.
Denver has also tendered exclusive rights free-agent offensive tackle Jake Rodgers.
»Free-agent pass rusher Jadeveon Clowneyhasn't found the market he expected and the Seahawks' offer might prove to be the best he gets, Garafolo reported.
Seattle is bringing back defensive endBruce Irvin, Rapoport reported per a source. Irvin, who won a Super Bowl and spent four seasons with the Seahawks, recorded 8.5 sacks with the Panthers last year.
Starting free safety Tedric Thompson has been given permission by Seattle to seek a trade, per Rapoport via an informed source. He added that it would likely be for a late-round draft pick.
»The Falconsare signing pass rusherDante Fowler Jr. to a three-year deal worth up to $48 million, per Rapoport and Pelissero. The Rams tried to keep Fowler but he opted to leave for Atlanta, Rapoport added.
The Falcons announced they released starting cornerback Desmond Trufant with a post-June 1 designation.
» The Cleveland Browns have a new starting middle linebacker -- B.J. Goodson has agreed to terms, sources tell Pelissero and Garafolo. Goodson comes in to provide LB help after the departures of Christian Kirksey and Joe Schobert.
»Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders might not be returning to the defending NFC champion 49ers. NFL Network's Jane Slater reported there is mutual interest between the Cowboys and the veteran wideout.
Dallas has agreed to terms with veteran defensive lineman Gerald McCoyon a three-year deal, per Rapoport.
Rapoport added the Cowboys they are re-signing kicker Kai Forbath, who made all 10 of his field-goal attempts with Dallas last year.
Offensive lineman Joe Looney is headed back to Dallas on a one-year deal, per Garafolo.
Cornerback Anthony Brown joins the list of re-signed Dallas players, inking a three-year deal worth $15.5M, per Rapoport via an informed source.
»The Los Angeles Rams agreed to a one-year deal with offensive lineman Austin Blythe. He played right guard and center last year as Los Angeles surrendered an NFL-low 22 sacks.
The Ramsare signing outside linebackerLeonard Floyd, per Pelissero and Garafolo.
Los Angeles is re-signing veteran offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth to a three-year contract worth more than $10 million a year, Pelissero reported per his agents.
»*Trumaine Johnson*'s time with the New York Jetsis coming to an end. Rapoport reported the Jets will part ways with the cornerback.
»The Saints are reuniting with veteran safety Malcolm Jenkins after signing him to a four-year, $32M deal with $16.25M guaranteed and a max of $35M, Rapoport reported. The Eagles recently parted ways with the former first-round pick, whom New Orleans drafted in 2009.
»The Bengals released cornerback B.W. Webb, who started 12 games last year. He tallied 37 tackles, one interception and seven passes defensed in his one season with Cincinnati.
»The Kansas City Chiefs have converted $5 million of defensive end Frank Clark's base salary into a signing bonus to give the team more cap flexibility, per Garafolo.
»The San Francisco 49ers are re-signing center Ben Garland on a 1-year deal worth $2.25 million, Rapoport reported.
»The Ravens signed punter Sam Koch to a two-year extension.
»The New York Jets are re-signing cornerback Brian Poole to a one-year deal for $5 million guaranteed, Rapoport reported per Poole's agent.
»The Buffalo Bills are signing reserve running back Taiwan Jones to a one-year deal, Garafolo reported.
»The Las Vegas Raiders are signing former first-round cornerbackEli Apple, according to Rapoport.
»The Pittsburgh Steelers have tendered offers to restricted free-agent offensive tackle Matt Feiler and cornerback Mike Hilton.
They also signed long snapper Kameron Canaday to a two-year contract and released fullback Roosevelt Nix.
»Former Steelers safety Sean Davis will sign with the Washington Redskins on a one-year deal worth up to $5 million, Rapoport reported per Davis' agent.
The Redskins are also signing running backJ.D. McKissic to a two-year deal, per Pelissero.
»The Arizona Cardinals are giving linebacker Devon Kennard a three-year, $20 million deal that includes $12.25 million guaranteed, Garafolo reported.
»The New York Giants announced they will not exercise veteran safety Antoine Bethea's contract option.
