11:04 p.m.: The NFL closed out Monday night in a big way. The Vikings are trading Stefon Diggs to the Bills and the Cowboys are re-signing Amari Cooper to a five-year, $100 million contract.
Compensation update: Bills are trading a 1st-round pick, a 5th-round pick, a 6th-round pick and a 2021 4th-round pick for Vikings WR Stefon Diggs and a 2020 7th-round pick, source tells ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 17, 2020
Amari Cooper intends to re-sign with the Dallas Cowboys on a 5-year, $100 million deal, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 17, 2020
9:40 p.m. Jamie Collins is signing a three-year, $30 million deal with the Lions. The deal includes $18 million in guaranteed money.
For the #Lions and LB Jamie Collins, it’s a 3-year worth $30M, source said. The deal includes $18M fully guaranteed. A nice payday and a reunion with coach Matt Patricia.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 17, 2020
9:14 p.m. The Jets are signing offensive tackle George Fant to a three-year, $30 million deal.
Former Seahawks’ OT George Fant reached agreement with the Jets on a three-year, $30 million deal that includes $13.7 million guaranteed, per @JFowlerESPN and me.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 17, 2020
8:54 p.m. The Raiders are looking to finalize a deal with Marcus Mariota.
The #Raiders are pushing to close out a deal with QB Marcus Mariota, sources tell me and @RapSheet. Mike Mayock's No. 1-ranked QB in his @nflnetwork coverage leading up to the 2015 Draft could soon be on his roster.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 17, 2020
8:12 p.m. ET Jimmy Graham is leaving the Green Bay Packers to sign a two-year, $16 million deal with the Bears.
Jimmy Graham to the Bears on a two-year, $16 million deal, including $9 million guaranteed, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2020
7:04 p.m. ET It appears like Byron Jones is prepared to sign a market-setting contract with the Dolphins, making him the NFL’s highest-paid cornerback.
Source: The #Dolphins are getting #Cowboys FA CB Byron Jones. A massive deal for the now highest-paid corner.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2020
6:47 p.m. ET: Former Panthers cornerback James Bradberry will be signing a three-year, $45 million deal with the Giants.
Source: FA CB James Bradberry going to the #Giants...3 yr $45M with $32M guaranteed.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2020
5:45 p.m. ET: The Cleveland Browns sign Case Keenum to backup Baker Mayfield. Keenum is one of the best backups in the game and had his best season with Browns coach Kevin Stefanski in Minnesota.
Browns reached agreement with former Redskins' QB Case Keenum on a three-year, $18 million deal that includes $10 million guaranteed, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2020
5:41 p.m. ET: Offensive lineman Halapoulivaati Vaitai heads to the Detroit Lions for $50m over five years. Jack Conklin looks like a value signing right now.
OT Halapoulivaati Vaitai to the #Lions for $50m over five years, as @caplannfl said. Big money for Big V.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 16, 2020
5:07 p.m. ET: The Cleveland Browns have signed Titans offensive lineman Jack Conklin. The Browns are once again making a big splash in free agency, but there’s no doubt a good offensive lineman was a big need for the team.
Jack Conklin agreed to a 3-year deal with the Browns for $42M with $30M fully guarantee, per @RosenhausSports. He earns $20mil in the first year. Wanted to keep it short due to the projected increases in the salary cap. Conklin will only be 28 when this deal expires.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2020
4:18 p.m. ET: San Francisco has dealt DeForest Buckner to Indianapolis in exchange for a first-round pick.
Blockbuster: The #49ers are trading Pro Bowl DL DeForest Buckner to the #Colts, sources say, in exchange for a first-round pick. A massive deal for both teams, with one of SF’s key players on the move.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2020
4:00 p.m. ET: The Rams could be preparing to part with Todd Gurley. His name has begun to surface in trade talks around the league.
Another big-name player whose name is coming up in trade talks: Rams RB Todd Gurley. As I reported in December, the team may be ready to move on. @nflnetwork @AroundTheNFL https://t.co/LbbBdmp4TG
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) March 16, 2020
3:18 p.m. ET: Jason Pierre-Paul will return to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on a two-year deal.
JPP is going back to Tampa Bay on a two-year, $27 million deal, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2020
3:00 p.m. ET: The Raiders have emerged as a potential candidate to land Tom Brady.
The @Raiders are NOW in the mix for @TomBrady
— Dan Sileo (@DanSileoShow) March 16, 2020
2:54 p.m. ET: The Bears are reportedly interested in trading for the Jacksonville Jaguars’ Nick Foles after his 2019 was hindered by a broken clavicle.
Hearing from a source Bears trying to get involved with trading for Nick Foles. Bears are all over this QB market.
— Michael Lombardi (@mlombardiNFL) March 16, 2020
2:29 p.m. ET: The Ravens have traded tight end Hayden Hurst and a 2020 fourth round pick to the Falcons for a second and a fifth in the 2020 NFL Draft. The Falcons lost tight end Austin Hooper in free agency, and Hurst now moves into a prime opportunity.
And another trade! pic.twitter.com/asFJlHLfjM
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2020
2:19 p.m. ET: The Colts look to be fully in on Philip Rivers and are having talks. Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport have both tweeted about their interest, so a deal could be getting close.
The #Colts have had discussions with free agent QB Philip Rivers, source said. And while nothing is done, he’s a clear target for Indy. We shall see if they can agree on the money.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2020
2:18 p.m. ET: Blake Jarwin receives a three-year extension worth $24.25 million and $9.25 million in guaranteed money. He’s now the no-doubt starting tight end for the Cowboys.
The #Cowboys are signing TE Blake Jarwin to a 3-year extension worth up to $24.25M, sources tell me and @MikeGarafolo. He gets $9.25M guaranteed.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2020
1:20 p.m. ET: The Cardinals are not messing around. The team is trading for Texans star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. It’s not entirely clear why Houston felt the need to deal one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, but this is huge for Kyler Murray and the Cardinals offense. Per John McClain, the deal is Hopkins and a fourth to the Cardinals for David Johnson, a second this year, and a fourth next week.
DeAndre Hopkins and a fourth round pick go to Cards for David Johnson and a second round pick this year and a fourth round pick next year.
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) March 16, 2020
1:16 p.m. ET: Patriots receiver Phillip Dorsett has plenty of free agency suitors, as the Jets, Seahawks, Chargers, 49ers and Raiders have all shown interest.
Just got off the phone with impending FA WR Phillip Dorsett. He told me, teams showing preliminary interest in him include the #NYJ, #SEA, #LAC, #SF, #LVR. He said, "I just want to come in and have a great opportunity to play and showcase how I can really flourish as a player."
— ig: josinaanderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 16, 2020
1:13 p.m. ET: The Chicago Bears are working on a deal to bring Teddy Bridgewater to the team. Mitch Trubisky had a lackluster 2019 and Bridgewater will likely compete for the starting job, but how much the team invests in him could tip their hand as to who they want to lead the way.
Being told Teddy Bridgewater working deal with CHI @929TheGame
— Paul Crane (@PaulCrane7) March 16, 2020
1:08 p.m. ET: The Cardinals are trading running back David Johnson to the Texans. Johnson’s 2019 was a disaster as injuries slowed him down and Kenyan Drake outplayed him, but he should now get a chance under Bill O’Brien to be the lead back this season.
Trade: Cardinals and Texans are agreeing to a trade that will send David Johnson to Houston, sources tell ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2020
12:50 p.m. ET: The first big free agency domino appears to have fallen. Tight end Austin Hooper is signing with the Cleveland Browns, according to NFL Network. Last season, Ricky Seals-Jones was Cleveland’s top tight end with 14 receptions for 229 yards and four touchdowns.
#Falcons free agent TE Austin Hooper, the top player at his position, is headed to the #Browns, per @TomPelissero, @MikeSilver and me. They’ve agreed to terms, he’s the new highest-paid TE.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2020
12:40 p.m. ET: The Browns are not messing around in their attempts to get tight end Austin Hooper signed. He would be a huge upgrade for Baker Mayfield and the Browns offense.
The Cleveland Browns are working to close a deal on Austin Hooper, making him the game's highest paid tight end, per source. Other teams can swoop in late but Browns the leader.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 16, 2020
12:20 p.m. ET: After giving Kenyan Drake the transition tag, the Cardinals will try to trade RB David Johnson. The Texans are one team in on the back, while three others are also interested according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.
Texans exploring trade options, including Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson, according to league sources. One of four teams interested in him
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 16, 2020
12:17 p.m. ET: Cornerback Byron Jones will have plenty of suitors, with the Dolphins, Jets, Raiders and Eagles all in on his services at the start of free agency.
I'm told the #Dolphins, #Jets, #Raiders, #Eagles are among the clubs that have discussed interest in impending free agent CB Byron Jones, per source.
— ig: josinaanderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 16, 2020
12:16 p.m. ET: The Colts are likely to pursue free agent Philip Rivers, as well as other options. Jacoby Brissett probably didn’t do enough last season to give them confidence in him as their only option.
As the legal tampering period kicks off at noon, would fully expect the Colts to pursue former Chargers’ QB Philip Rivers, though Indianapolis also will look at other QB options.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2020
12:01 p.m. ET: The Packers, Browns, and Washington are all in play for tight end Austin Hooper. The Falcons free agent is the best tight end on the market as free agency opens.
Green Bay, Washington and Cleveland are in play for TE Austin Hooper, per sources. He's going to get paiddd
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) March 16, 2020
The 2020 NFL free agency negotiation period officially gets underway at 12 p.m. ET today! We have already heard rumors, and tampering has likely been going on since the Combine, at least. But, today, teams can technically begin the negotiating process. We will be providing updates throughout the day, and into next week and beyond in what will be yet another crazy free agency process.
The next two days of negotiating do not allow for contracts to be formally executed. A player cannot put pen to paper until 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday when the new league year gets underway. Some of the bigger name deals will be effectively completed by then, but the formal signing will not have happened at that point.
The NFL franchise tag deadline has already removed or at least partially removed some players from the market. Most notably, the Dallas Cowboys used the exclusive tag on quarterback Dak Prescott, which means no other team can even negotiate with him. The Arizona Cardinals surprised us by using the transition tag on running back Kenyan Drake. He can negotiate elsewhere and the Cardinals get right of first refusal, but if Drake leaves, Arizona gets no compensation.
We’ll be tracking all the updates as the negotiating period begins, so follow along until the new league year starts at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday.