Mark Andrews, Jordan Mason, Tee Higgins, and More NFL News
By Sigmund Bloom - Exclusive to Footballguys
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News About AFC Teams
Baltimore Ravens News
The Ravens will pay TE Mark Andrews' $4 million roster bonus, which was due on March 15.
Why It Matters: There was a line of thinking that the Ravens may not keep Andrews after his two fourth-quarter errors cost the Ravens a playoff game. Paying this roster bonus increases the chances that Andrews will play in Baltimore this season, but it is still not guaranteed. General manager Eric DeCosta brought up the Ravens' ring of honor when asked about Andrews at the combine, and beat writer Jeff Zrebiec from The Athletic said the team would trade him if they received a "legit offer". It wasn't surprising that the team would agree to pay Andrews' bonus instead of releasing him and getting nothing for a player who scored 11 touchdowns last year, but we shouldn't close the door completely on a trade. Zrebiec said he thought it would take a day 2 pick to get the Ravens to part with Andrews, and he wasn't sure if any team would offer that. Isaiah Likely still has a very bright future, even if the chances of him being the primary receiving tight end for Lamar Jackson went down this week. A team like the Chargers or Panthers could still decide to deal for Andrews depending on whether they are able to land one of the talented tight end class early in next month's draft.
The Ravens signed QB Cooper Rush to a two-year, $6.2 million deal.
Why It Matters: The spend is modest, but this represents an upgrade at backup quarterback for the Ravens and a change in their philosophy. The team has had mobile backups like Josh Johnson, Tyler Huntley, Anthony Brown, and Robert Griffin III behind Jackson. Rush isn't going to threaten defenses with his legs, but he went 4-4 as the starter for a mediocre Cowboys team, including wins over the playoff-bound Commanders and Buccaneers, and 9-5 in his seven-year career with Dallas. This move improves the passing and rushing potential for the Ravens offense if Jackson misses time.
Cincinnati Bengals News
The Bengals signed WR Tee Higgins to a four-year, $115 million contract and WR Ja'Marr Chase to a four-year, $161 million contract.
Why It Matters: The Bengals would have saved tens of millions of dollars if they had done this last offseason, but in the end, they still did the right thing to keep the Super Bowl window open at the urging of quarterback Joe Burrow. The Chase deal resets the top of the wide receiver market, while the Higgins deal is at or even a little below what he was expected to get if he had been traded or hit the open market. Burrow's and Higgins' dynasty values get bumps now that Higgins will be with the team for the foreseeable future. Some believe that spending so much at one position will be a limiting factor for the Bengals Super Bowl possibilities, but they won nine games last year with offensive line woes, a poor defense, and almost every break going against them in close games. Defensive end Trey Hendrickson was seeking a trade before these deals got done, but now it's believed that it is more possible that he and the team may find a middle ground on a contract extension.
Houston Texans News
The Texans signed OT Cam Robinson to a one-year, $12 million contract.
Why It Matters: Here's your Laremy Tunsil replacement. Robinson is adequate, but only a stopgap, as the one-year deal for low-end starter money indicates. This shouldn't preclude the Texans from taking a tackle in the first or second round, and that player could take over for Robinson before the end of the season. Robinson allowed a lot of pressure and nine sacks last year, including seven after he was dealt to the Vikings to replace Christian Darrisaw after the starter went down. The Vikings should get a fourth- or fifth-round compensatory pick after giving up a fourth to the Jaguars to get Robinson last year.
Kansas City Chiefs News
The Chiefs signed WR JuJu Smith-Schuster and RB Kareem Hunt.
Why It Matters: The Chiefs got admirable service from Smith-Schuster and Hunt last year when injuries forced the team to play them as street free agents. The hope is that they won't need them this year after also bringing back WR Marquise Brown and adding RB Elijah Mitchell in free agency. But we know now who to have on waiver-wire speed dial if the wide receiver and running back depth charts are decimated again.
Los Angeles Chargers News
The Chargers signed OL Mekhi Becton to a two-year, $20 million deal.
Why It Matters: The Chargers running game should benefit from the addition of Becton, originally drafted as a tackle by the Jets at the 11th pick in 2020 before having his career derailed by injuries. Eagles offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland worked his magic, and Philadelphia will get a compensatory pick to reward their ability to turn Becton's career around. The Chargers offensive line now features four former first-round picks flanking center Bradley Bozeman.
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