Analysis
2/22/23
46 min read
2023 NFL Free Agency Buzz: Updates on Player Signings, Restructures, Franchise Tags
Thursday, March 23
Pollard Officially Signs Tag
Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard officially signed his franchise tag, ESPN reported. The running back will make just more than $10 million this season if he doesn't sign a long-term extension by July 17.
Pollard is recovering from a broken fibula suffered against the 49ers in the divisional round, but with the release of Ezekiel Elliott, Pollard is expected to be Dallas' lead back this coming season. The team also signed former Buccaneers and Chiefs running back Ronald Jones this offseason.
The Cowboys are changing offensive play-callers this season with head coach Mike McCarthy taking over for Kellen Moore. After the season, McCarthy said he wanted play-calling duties to run the ball more, which bodes well for Pollard.
Panthers Tab Pineiro as Kicker
The Carolina Panthers signed kicker Eddy Pineiro to a two-year deal, NFL Media reported, choosing him over Zane Gonzalez as the team's kicker. The team released Gonzalez the same day.
Piniero joined Carolina last season following a season-ending injury to Gonzalez, and had a career-best year, making 33-of-35 field goal attempts and 30-of-32 extra point tries. He had the fourth-most field goals in the league that season.
Giants Will Add Crowder
Wide receiver Jamison Crowder will sign a one-year deal with the New York Giants, CBS Sports reported, adding another target for newly re-signed QB Daniel Jones.
During free agency, the Giants also have signed WRs Parris Campbell and Darius Slayton, and TE Tommy Sweeney, as well as trading for TE Darren Waller.
Buccaneers Release Succop
Kicker Ryan Succop has been released, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced. Succop spent three seasons with the team. His field goal success rate of 84.8 percent (84 of 99) is the best for any kicker in franchise history.
The move leaves the team with one kicker on their 2023 roster: first-year man Jake Verity, who was signed to reserve/future deal in January.
Packers Will Re-sign LB Hollins
The Green Bay Packers will re-sign LB Justin Hollins to a one-year, $1.2 million deal, The 33rd Team's Ari Meirov reported. Hollins comes off a 3.5-sack season. Hollins was released by the Los Angeles Rams in the middle of the 2022 season, allowing the Packers to claim him off of waivers.
Raiders Sign Shelley
The Las Vegas Raiders will sign cornerback Duke Shelley, the team announced. Shelley had a career season with the Vikings in 2022. He recorded career highs in tackles (30), interceptions (one) and passes defended (eight) while starting in five of the 11 games he played.
Bears To Sign LB Coles
The Chicago Bears will sign linebacker Dylan Cole, NFL Media reported. Cole spent the past two seasons with Tennessee. Last season, he had 8 starts and 64 tackles.
Jaguars Restructure Fatukasi Contract
Defensive lineman Folorunso Fatukasi had his contract restructured by the Jacksonville Jaguars, converting $7.375 million of his base salary into a signing bonus, ESPN reported. Doing so freed up $5.9 million in 2023 cap space.
In 14 games last season, Fatukasi had 25 tackles (12 solo), three of the them for loss.
