All aTwitter: 15 March 2021

Ron Rivera said last week taking care of internal free agents was a priority. @john_keim reported Hopkins and Ronald Darby could be top of that list. Will be interesting to see what happens next

— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) March 14, 2021

They have talked to him as well. We’ll see. Talking to doesn’t always equal a contract. Darby knows it’s a weak Cb market and there are others interested in him. Stay tuned.

— John Keim (@john_keim) March 14, 2021

The Washington Football Team is expected to re-sign free agent kicker Dustin Hopkins, per sources. The move is expected some point this week with free agency starting Wednesday. @jpfinlaynbcs 1st on the re-sign. I'll add the deal is for one-year.

— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) March 14, 2021

Dustin Hopkins returned to form over his last nine games, making 19 of his 22 field goals. Before that, he started the year 8 of 12. https://t.co/HaLq7xhFEk

— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) March 14, 2021

With the news of Hopkins’ signing, rebooting this tidbit on how all kickers miss extra points so please stop yelling to cut the kicker when it happens. https://t.co/O4ysEDaBJh

— michael phillips (@michaelpRTD) March 14, 2021

Why though? Not a natural center fielder. Washington doesn’t need another safety just to have another safety, they have a need at free safety playing the overhang and operating as the last line of defense.

What is provided here that isn’t provided from Curl, Collins, or Reaves? https://t.co/mYK1wfHXKc

— Matt Valdovinos (@MVScouting) March 14, 2021

Bring him home

— Robbie Duncan (@RobbieDuncanOL) March 14, 2021

This is an important corollary to available cap space -- if you have a large % of starters hitting free agency, having a lot of cap room doesn't mean much. Washington has among the lowest % of snaps to replace this offseason. Good thing! https://t.co/YYXNz2cCqr

— WASHINGTON FOOTBALL (@HogsHaven) March 15, 2021

Just kidding -- this is typically the type of FA signing that works out -- good athlete coming off his rookie deal (only 27) with two solid years of production, but not a big name so shouldn't be that expensive

— WASHINGTON FOOTBALL (@HogsHaven) March 15, 2021

Fun catching up with former Washington RB @ChrisThompson_4 . He talks about how much he missed playing here. How it hurt to leave. His future. Looking back on his time here. And more. Plus me with a couple FA topics. Enjoy. Subscribe. Thanks. https://t.co/2GQijf29rp

— John Keim (@john_keim) March 15, 2021

With the new league year scheduled to begin this week, the Super-Bowl champion Buccaneers have 24 players scheduled to be free agents. They also are slated to be about $14 million under the cap when the league year begins Wednesday - not enough to pay and keep everyone...

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 15, 2021

Free Agency Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Alex Smith https://t.co/RMFtFPr5C6 pic.twitter.com/x79JnPHKGM

— NFLTradeRumors.co (@nfltrade_rumors) March 14, 2021

Drew Brees announces his retirement after 20 seasons.

•All-time leader: passing yards, pass completions
•13× Pro Bowl
•SB XLIV Champ, MVP

On-field earnings: $269M
Partnerships: @Nike, @Microsoft, @PepsiCo, @ProcterGamble
Dream Foundation: over $35M to charitable causes pic.twitter.com/ot3Be2Fcky

— Boardroom (@boardroom) March 14, 2021

pic.twitter.com/sYIE5pby2C

— Joey (@JoeyMulinaro) March 14, 2021

From @NFLTotalAccess: #Saints QB Drew Brees has retired. Some thoughts pic.twitter.com/T5sTCLLAIV

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 14, 2021

From @NFLNetwork: #Saints QB Drew Brees has finally officially retired, but New Orleans had already been working on a deal with Jameis Winston, the likely starter in 2021. pic.twitter.com/Nq1qV2cGa9

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 14, 2021

congrats on an incredible career + happy retirement, @drewbrees!

the league will miss you pic.twitter.com/cgBZZmL5C9

— Los Angeles Chargers (@Chargers) March 14, 2021

Drew Brees was a 2nd round pick (#32 overall) in 2001, the year before the Texans joined the @NFL, pushing the 1st round to 32 selections.

— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) March 14, 2021

No chance. Two players announced retirements in January and March (?) last year and they allowed them to do the June 2 designations.

— Jason_OTC (@Jason_OTC) March 14, 2021

Saints are restructuring QB Taysom Hill’s contract to create cap room. Details are great: it’s a 4-year, $140 million contract extension - but all years are voidable and it’s a mechanism to free up cap space this year, per source. It saves Saints over $7.5M against cap this year.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 14, 2021

The restructuring of contracts in the NFL to get around the salary cap has been around forever. I know some people are discussing it like its a new trick. Because the NFL has put in so many cap controls its simply not needed nearly as much.

— Jason_OTC (@Jason_OTC) March 14, 2021

teams have had to carry players on the roster for seasons+ with almost no intention of playing them simply because of cap purposes. The Raiders had to turn themselves into an expansion team because of doing this kind of stuff over and over again

— Jason_OTC (@Jason_OTC) March 14, 2021

People conveniently forget the 7-9 era where they were just stuck in the salary cap mud until they draft class bailed them out

— Jason_OTC (@Jason_OTC) March 14, 2021

If the Saints did use a standard void with Hill then they are likely locked into $19.25 million in dead money to he and Brees in 2022.

— Jason_OTC (@Jason_OTC) March 14, 2021

Quick thoughts on what the #Saints perhaps did with Taysom Hill's contracthttps://t.co/IugjfPlCny

— Jason_OTC (@Jason_OTC) March 14, 2021

Well I am 1-0 as a starter.. 158.3.. 7-8.. 4 Tugs.. https://t.co/ZsRaE6axbG

— Mohamed Sanu Sr. (@Mo_12_Sanu) March 14, 2021

https://t.co/2IhdVD3CyY

— Mike (@mloe68) March 15, 2021

Kyle Juszczyk is by far the top paid fullback at $5.4M. Next up is Derek Watt at $3.25M and then CJ Ham at $3M. No other FB is over $2M a year.

— Jason_OTC (@Jason_OTC) March 15, 2021

The #Eagles would have to clear up space elsewhere before Weds at 4pm if they trade Ertz or Barnett, since they would have to carry them into the new league year to complete a deal

— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) March 13, 2021

Eagles Reportedly Looking For Third- Or Fourth-Round Pick In Trade For TE Zach Ertz https://t.co/8KF24HUXJb #Eagles pic.twitter.com/RTgRqwxqDJ

— NFLTradeRumors.co (@nfltrade_rumors) March 15, 2021

Mario Edwards agrees to terms with Bears per source. New multi-year deal.

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) March 14, 2021

Colts' WR T.Y. Hilton, CB Xavier Rhodes Likely To Hit Open Market https://t.co/ABYZRULEES pic.twitter.com/bEFPubK1Xi

— Pro Football Rumors (@pfrumors) March 14, 2021

Lions Signed TE Josh Hill https://t.co/NOGPgrtcNh #Lions

— NFLTradeRumors.co (@nfltrade_rumors) March 14, 2021

Trade: Texans trading Pro Bowl LB Benardrick McKinney to the Dolphins for LB Shaq Lawson, per @RapSheet https://t.co/45zdLh6XNQ pic.twitter.com/8TQaAtGfzs

— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) March 14, 2021

What's interesting here for Washington: The Dolphins hold the 18th pick and mock drafts often project them going LB at that spot. That's a need for WFT and a possible draft direction especially with the free-agent market thinning out as Milano and David stayed put. https://t.co/u13DhU43Jy

— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) March 14, 2021

Congrats to McKinney for getting out of there.

Pour one out for Shaq tho. https://t.co/cnG4XmXOOX

— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) March 14, 2021

Bears are planning to allow Mitch Trubisky to leave and address their QB concerns via free agency or trade, per @JFowlerESPN, @DanGrazianoESPN pic.twitter.com/pMs2NuUWbP

— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) March 14, 2021

Most turnover worthy plays when kept clean this season:

Mitch Trubisky - 14
Philip Rivers - 14
Carson Wentz - 13 pic.twitter.com/uCox0Dsjca

— PFF (@PFF) March 14, 2021

Are the Dolphins and Jets leading the way for Kenny Golladay?

That’s what @TonyPauline is hearing.

More 2021 free agency rumors https://t.co/nqnWxur1v7 pic.twitter.com/dXYLhQQBHz

— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) March 14, 2021

Details: https://t.co/Jo0zleJ2zI

— Matt Lombardo (@MattLombardoNFL) March 14, 2021

First Round draft Jordan Love - Aaron Rodgers wins NFL MVP

Second Round draft AJ Dillon - re-sign Arron Jones to a 4-year deal

Third Round draft Josiah Deguara - unleash Robert Tonyan (should have made the pro bowl)

Hell of a job Green Bay Packers.

— Ray G (@RayGQue) March 14, 2021

RB contracts do seem to be shrinking in size and length relative to the cap, which could reach an equilibrium point where they make short-term sense.
I would have signed Jones, too. The numbers just say not to do it. https://t.co/nEgi1cY12F

— Mike Tanier (@MikeTanier) March 14, 2021

Bills Re-Sign OL Jon Feliciano https://t.co/sMq6HMVOum pic.twitter.com/XA0aimw4FW

— Pro Football Rumors (@pfrumors) March 14, 2021

I spoke to a free agent wide receiver about what he expects from the market in general. He said “I really don’t care what goes down in terms of where I wind up but my agent knows I only want a one year deal. That’s the goal”

— Dianna Russini (@diannaESPN) March 14, 2021

Jets To Make 'Waves' In Free Agency? https://t.co/iRNlw1xIfA pic.twitter.com/n5VOZ1Q4bV

— Pro Football Rumors (@pfrumors) March 15, 2021

Vikings LB Anthony Barr To Take Pay-Cut, Become FA After 2021 https://t.co/19EcN1AbN9 pic.twitter.com/FlHEH0tCnB

— Pro Football Rumors (@pfrumors) March 15, 2021

The #Raiders have 1 winning season since 2003, the fewest in the #NFL

(via @SharpFootball)

— NFL Stats (@NFL_Stats) March 13, 2021

Not sure many franchises have had it worse than #Raiders the past 18 seasons:
31st in winning percentage
31st in scoring
32nd in points allowed
32nd in takeaways
28th in giveaways
32nd in sacks
fewest playoff games played https://t.co/YBkR7Vy8hd

— Josh Dubow (@JoshDubowAP) March 14, 2021

"I don't understand why there's not more talk about the guy."@CSimmsQB says it is time to stop sleeping on Kellen Mondpic.twitter.com/folRVEUfdX

— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) March 14, 2021

No. 1 WRs get doubled plenty in NFL. Hard to bracket Alabama’s Jaylen Waddle (@D1__JW). Speed kills. pic.twitter.com/cIKzcAUlkb

— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) March 14, 2021

The NFL and the players' union have discussed mandatory vaccinations, but a rule requiring every player to get vaccinated is unlikely. https://t.co/HqM8Z525sN

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) March 15, 2021

Stan Van Gundy gives an answer to why players are hesitant on getting the vaccine pic.twitter.com/ue8rQ1BW18

— THE NBA Hustle (@TheNBAHustle) March 14, 2021

WE’RE DANCING, BABY!!! LET’S GOOOOOOO!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/La1HAKhiZk

— VCU Ram Nation (@VCURamNation) March 14, 2021

Ticket punched! #HOYASAXA pic.twitter.com/MMf3cKAaFX

— Georgetown Hoops (@GeorgetownHoops) March 14, 2021

#UVA gets a 4-seed, #Hokies a 10. They open with unfamiliar opponents (Ohio for the 'Hoos and Florida for Tech) and have looming possible dates with powers in top-seeded Gonzaga in the Sweet 16 for Virginia and Ohio State in the second round for VT.https://t.co/jPaTBHDGhG

— Mike Barber (@RTD_MikeBarber) March 14, 2021

This the third season in which five Virginia teams made the NCAA tournament. The first two times, one of them reached the Final Four. Hmmmm. #UVA #Hokies #VCU https://t.co/eUhKg2HhJX

— David Teel (@ByDavidTeel) March 15, 2021

(7) UConn and (10) Maryland will tip-off Saturday, March 20, at 7:10 p.m. on CBS.#MarchMadness

— Wes Brown (@W_Brown21) March 15, 2021

1 to 68...

The COMPLETE 2021 seed list from the Selection Committee! #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/634IUXLA72

— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) March 14, 2021

Spiders play on in 16-team NIT, against Toledo in first round, with all games in Texas https://t.co/LxFCCsz1Lv via @RTDSports

— John O'Connor (@RTDjohnoconnor) March 15, 2021

How the Dutch build a tunnel under a highway in one weekend.

Credit: Rijkswaterstaat.

pic.twitter.com/5quKbUtK9q

— World of Engineering (@engineers_feed) March 13, 2021