3:02 p.m. ET: Dante Fowler will sign with the Atlanta Falcons.
#Rams free agent pass-rusher Dante Fowler is expected to sign with the #Falcons, sources tell me and @TomPelissero. A high-end pass-rusher lands in Atlanta. Coach Dan Quinn actually coached Fowler while at Florida.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 18, 2020
3/18
6:20 p.m. ET: The Chargers believe they are out of the running for Tom Brady. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers continue to be the frontrunners.
The Chargers made a serious run at Brady, but, barring a change of heart by the quarterback, the team believes it is out of the running for him.
— Jim Trotter (@JimTrotter_NFL) March 17, 2020
5:16 p.m. ET: The Bengals continue to upgrade their defense in free agency, adding Vikings cornerback Trae Waynes.
The #Bengals aren’t done yet: They are landing former #Vikings CB Trae Waynes, sources tell me and @TomPelissero. Two big splash free agents today.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 17, 2020
4:44 p.m. ET: Cincinnati Bengals acquire free agent defensive lineman D.J. Reader.
D.J. Reader heads to Cincinnati Bengals, according to league sources. $53 million over four years, according to sources, highest paid nose tackle in NFL
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 17, 2020
4:03 p.m. ET Former Cowboys tight end Jason Witten and the Raiders have come to terms on a deal.
@Raiders have come to terms with TE Jason Witten
— Vincent Bonsignore (@VinnyBonsignore) March 17, 2020
3:56 p.m. ET Philip Rivers and the Colts have reached an agreement on a one-year deal for the 2020 season.
Former Chargers' QB Philip Rivers and the Colts reached agreement on a 1-year deal, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 17, 2020
3:12 p.m. ET: Joe Schobert is leaving the Browns to sign a five-year, $53.75 million deal with the Jaguars.
As expected #Browns linebacker Joe Schobert is leaving CLE: agreed to terms on a 5-year, $53.75 million deal with the #Jaguars, source confirms for clevelanddotcom https://t.co/yfzee0JYwE
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) March 17, 2020
2:13 p.m. ET: Fox Sports Radio’s Colin Cowherd says Brady is heading to Tampa. We type this with an enormous grain of salt on our keyboards.
: Source Says Tom Brady is Signing With Tampa Bay Bucs Tomorrow. https://t.co/0sDTh88n2w
— FOX Sports Radio (@FoxSportsRadio) March 17, 2020
Also Jeff Darlington says we won’t hear anything today from TB12, and that it’s not necessarily about money. Which makes sense as he’s married to a billionaire...
I would not anticipate a decision from Tom Brady today. But I do expect one this week. And let me emphasize: He absolutely has a decision to make. His market is quietly very competitive, but not some crazy bidding war. Far more about finding a fit he likes rather than chasing $.
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) March 17, 2020
12:33 p.m. ET: Teddy Bridgewater and the Carolina Panthers are close to agreement on a 3-year, $60 million deal. Bridgewater will be a big upgrade on Kyle Allen and should help the Panthers offensive skill players, especially Christian McCaffrey in the passing game.
The Panthers and Teddy Bridgewater are negotiating a 3-year contract in the $60 million range, per source. The deal is not done as they work out details but it is expected to be complete when new league year opens Wednesday.
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) March 17, 2020
12:31 p.m. ET: Linebacker Corey Littleton will join the Raiders, as they look to beef up their defensive side this off season.
Former #Rams LB Cory Littleton has an agreement to join the #Raiders, source said, on a 3-year deal worth up to $36M. It has a base value of $11.75M per year.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 17, 2020
12:28 p.m. ET: Jason La Canfora reports that Philip Rivers and the Colts are finalizing a deal and that the Panthers are close with Teddy Bridgewater.
Colts are finalizing a deal with Philip Rivers and the Panthers are closing in on Teddy Bridgewater
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) March 17, 2020
12:10 p.m. ET: The Chicago Bears sign Robert Quinn with $30 million in guaranteed money. The Bears are spending, but still are without the quarterback they’re searching for.
The #Bears are signing pass-rusher Robert Quinn to a 5-year, $70 million contract with $30 million fully guaranteed, agent Sean Kiernan from @SelectSports tells me and @TomPelissero. A new home for the former #Cowboys star after a huge year.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 17, 2020
11:11 a.m. ET: The Detroit Lions sign former Bears backup Chase Daniel.
Former Bears' QB Chase Daniel, who beat the Detroit on Thanksgiving Day last season, reached agreement with the Lions today on a three-year, $13.05 million deal that includes a voidable clause, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 17, 2020
11:04 a.m. ET: The Panthers have given Cam Newton permission to seek a trade, which pushes the Panthers into the depths of quarterback free agency. Teddy Bridgewater is high on their list according to ESPN’s Dianna Russini.
The Carolina Panthers are showing very strong interest in quarterback Teddy Bridgewater per sources. I’m told the conversations have been going very well. #panthers
— Dianna (@diannaESPN) March 17, 2020
10:20 a.m. ET: As expected, Drew Brees re-ups with the New Orleans Saints. Under a two-year deal, Brees will end his career in New Orleans.
The #Saints agree to terms with QB Drew Brees, source said. He gets a 2-year deal worth roughly $50M. Never in doubt, but now done. And Brees took less to help the team continue to build.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 17, 2020
10:16 a.m. ET: The Cardinals continue to make moves, this time an addition to their defensive line, as they sign former Bills DT Jordan Phillips.
The Cardinals get there defensive line help it needs by landing former Bills DT Jordan Phillips. They’re giving him a 3-year, $30 milllon deal, according to Adam Schefter.
— Josh Weinfuss (@joshweinfuss) March 17, 2020
8:52 a.m.: Tom Brady is planning on leaving the Patriots. He announced the news on various social media. The Buccaneers and Chargers have made strong offers to Brady, per Ian Rapoport.
FOREVER A PATRIOT pic.twitter.com/QSBOJBs4uy
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) March 17, 2020
8:45 a.m.: The Giants landed linebacker Blake Martinez late Monday evening.
NYG gets him for 3 years, $30M. https://t.co/TE4BU9G7RS
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 17, 2020
8:41 a.m.: The Texans are signing wide receiver Randall Cobb to a three-year $27 million deal, per beat writer Aaron Wilson. The deal comes following the team’s decision to trade DeAndre Hopkins to the Cardinals.
The 2020 NFL free agency negotiation period officially got underway Monday at 12 p.m. ET, and we’re back for day two. Free agents are allowed to negotiate contracts until 3:59 p.m. on Wednesday, and then players can officially sign on the dotted line at 4 p.m.
Day one was a busy with some big deals all but signed. Tight end Austin Hooper was the first to get a deal done, resetting the market for his position in agreeing to a four-year, $44 million deal with the Cleveland Browns. Other big name signings included cornerback Byron Jones signing with the Miami Dolphins, linebacker Jamie Collins signing with the Detroit Lions, and offensive tackle George Fant signing with the New York Jets.
The bigger news on day one involved some mammoth trades. The Arizona Cardinals traded running back David Johnson and two draft picks to the Houston Texans for wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and a pick. Then, the San Francisco 49ers traded defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the Indianapolis Colts for a first round pick. Finally, the Minnesota Vikings traded Stefon Diggs and a draft pick to the Buffalo Bills for picks.
We’ll be tracking all the updates as the negotiating period continues, so follow along until the new league year starts at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday.