Can Saquon Barkley become the NFL's best player with the Eagles?
Sports Seriously's Tony Anderson explains why he believes Saquon Barkley has the potential to become the best player in the league with the Eagles.
Sports seriously
NFL free agency may be coming down from its peak at the beginning of the week, but the action has hardly stopped.
After a flurry of action on Day 1, Day 2 and Day 3 of the free agency negotiating window, Thursday saw several notable trades, including a pair of trades: The Washington Commanders sent QB Sam Howell to the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles. Chargers deal WR Keenan Allen to the Chicago Bears. While most of the big names have already settled on their destinations, big-money contracts are still materializing, as evidenced by Arik Armstead's three-year, $51 million agreement with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
USA TODAY Sports will have updates on the latest deals and buzz throughout the day, so check back often for the latest news from our staff and around the USA TODAY Network:
The Philadelphia Eagles' adjustment to their pass rush will not include firing Josh Sweat.
The former Pro Bowl pass rusher agreed to a revised contract with the team on Friday, according to multiple reports.
The signing of pass-rushing specialist Bryce Huff has sparked speculation that the team could move Sweat or Haason Reddick. But the former will remain in place after his deal is reworked.
Sweat signed a three-year, $42 million extension in 2021. He is scheduled to be a free agent after this season.
The Carolina Panthers are looking to select a former high draft pick to complement their pass rush.
K'Lavon Chaisson has signed a one-year contract worth up to $5 million, according to multiple reports.
Chaisson, 24, was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the 20th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. But the LSU product never lived up to the lofty draft, recording just five sacks in four seasons.
However, in Carolina, he may have the opportunity to relaunch his career. Defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero needs more threats after the Panthers traded star edge rusher Brian Burns to the New York Giants. The team did sign former Minnesota Viking DJ Wonnum on Thursday but otherwise has little established production at the position. Jadeveon Clowney, the former No. 1 overall pick who recorded 9 sacks last season for the Baltimore Ravens, is expected to visit with the team, according to multiple reports.
While Thursday saw two quarterbacks who were starters in 2023 traded to other teams and potential backup roles — Sam Howell (Seattle Seahawks), Desmond Reeder (Arizona Cardinals) — other passers with extensive starting experience, some of whom are QB2s, also remain available.
Notable among them are Ryan Tannehill, Joshua Dobbs and Jimmy Garoppolo, who was cut this week by the Las Vegas Raiders. Others include longtime reserves Blaine Gabbert, Brian Hoyer, Easton Stick and Kyle Allen as well as former Pro Bowlers Carson Wentz and Snoop Huntley.
The Los Angeles Rams continue to reshape their defense, one that has become completely unrecognizable — except for DL Aaron Donald — in the wake of their Super Bowl 56 victory.
The most recent addition is safety Kamren Curl, who has quietly been a solid player for the Washington Chiefs in recent seasons. According to NFL Network, he received a two-year deal with a maximum value of $13 million.
Curl set a career-high with 115 tackles in 2023. Right now, it looks like he and Russ Yeast will be the Rams' new safety tandem.
Although most of the free agents have already landed in new homes, there are more that are unclaimed — including notable linemen like LT Tyron Smith, DEs Chase Young and Jadeveon Clowney. Tyler Dragon of USA TODAY Sports listed the top 25 remaining free agents as of Friday morning.
The Cleveland Browns lost both of their starting players on Monday when Anthony Walker Jr. and Sione Takitaki left in free agency. They have already traded one away in veteran free agent Jordan Hicks.
Now, Brown is bringing up another potential replacement. A league source confirmed to the Beacon Journal a report from ESPN that Devin Bush Jr., a former first-round pick, will sign with the team.
Bush, 25, was originally the 10th overall pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2019 draft out of the University of Michigan. However, after four seasons in Pittsburgh, he spent last season with the Seattle Seahawks. The 5-11, 234-pounder played in 13 games for the Seahawks, starting three. He had 37 tackles and five tackles for loss.
– Chris Eastering, Akron Beacon Journal
Jacksonville Jaguars QB Mac Jones made his first public comments since being traded for a sixth-round draft pick by the New England Patriots.
The move came ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft, where the Patriots are expected to use their No. 3 overall pick to select one of the top three quarterbacks on the board. When speaking with the media at an introductory press conference on Thursday, Jones described the parting with New England as a “mutual parting of the ways.”
“Obviously we just decided that a mutual parting of our ways was the best decision for both of us,” Jones said. “For me, it was just about moving on and coming home, and I couldn't be more excited. For them, it was about moving on and turning the page. So really, that's what we decided, and I think it's a great decision.”
– Geordie McIlroy, Providence Journal
Surely, there's no 240-pound linebacker that compares to The Cheetah, right?
That's a mistake, at least in the eyes of Miami Dolphins rookie running back Jordyn Brooks, who in his introductory news conference with South Florida reporters Thursday wasn't shy about discussing his speed.
“Personally, I think I'm one of the fastest players in the NFL,” Brooks said.
To make sure there was no misunderstanding, he quickly added: “Not the midfielders, but the players. Period.”
When it was pointed out that he was joining a team that had no shortage of speed — Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and Raheem Mostert, of course, still wearing Dolphins colors — Brooks still didn't back down.
“I'm ready, man,” he said.
For the record, Brooks ran the 40 in 4.54 seconds in the NFL. Hill was scored in the 4.29 range.
Regardless, it's good for the Dolphins that Brooks says he's ready to take on any challenge that comes his way. With the loss of defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, Miami's linebackers should see their share of running backs coming to them in 2024, in addition to the usual responsibilities in coverage.
– Hal Habib, Palm Beach Post
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