NFL free agency roundup: Bengals lose Jessie Bates, keep Germaine Pratt
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Former Cincinnati Bengals safety Jessie Bates agreed to sign a four-year contract worth $16 million annually with the Atlanta Falcons on Monday, according to his agent.
Bates started 79 games in five seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals. Bates had 14 interceptions, forced three fumbles and recovered two. He was a second-team All-Pro in 2020.
However, the Bengals agreed on a $21 million, three-year deal to keep Germaine Pratt, one of the NFL’s top coverage linebackers, who has started 54 games in four seasons.
• The Cleveland Browns restructured Deshaun Watson’s record-setting $230 million contract to create $36 million in salary cap space. Then, Cleveland began addressing needs, agreeing to a three-year contract with defensive end Ogbonnia Okoronkwo.
Okoronkwo’s deal is worth $19 million and includes $12.5 million guaranteed, according to NFL Network. The 27-year-old had a career-best five sacks for the Texans last season.
Another priority was re-signing center Ethan Pocic, and the Browns locked the 27-year-old up by agreeing to bring him back on a three-year deal.
• Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce tweeted he would return for a 13th NFL season.
Kelce has long been the heart of the Eagles and one of the top centers in the league. He played against his brother, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, in the Super Bowl.
• Jawaan Taylor agreed to an $80 million, four-year contract with the Kansas City Chiefs to replace Orlando Brown Jr. as the blindside protector for Patrick Mahomes.
• Eric Kendricks agreed to terms with the Los Angeles Charger, giving the franchise a veteran inside linebacker on a unit that has struggled the past couple seasons.
Kendricks posted about joining the Chargers on his Instagram account. He was drafted by Minnesota in the second round in 2015 and spent eight seasons with the Vikings before being released March 6.
• The Chicago Bears made two big additions at linebacker, agreeing to contracts with Bills two-time Pro Bowler Tremaine Edmunds and former Philadelphia Eagles standout T.J. Edwards.
Edmunds’ deal is worth $72 million over four years with $50 million guaranteed. Edwards is due $19.5 million over three years, with $12 million guaranteed.
The Bears also agreed to a three-year, $30 million contract with Tennessee guard Nate Davis.
• The Falcons agreed to acquire tight end Jonnu Smith from the New England Patriots. The Falcons are sending a seventh-round pick to New England, per NFL Network.
The Falcons also announced Pro Bowler Chris Lindstrom signed a five-year contract extension, reportedly making him the NFL’s highest-paid guard.
• The Tampa Bay Buccaneers agreed on a $52 million, four-year deal to keep cornerback Jamel Dean.
• The Buffalo Bills reached agreements to sign Dallas Cowboys guard Connor McGovern to a three-year contract and to re-sign punter Sam Martin and former Steelers linebacker Tyler Matakevich before they were eligible to hit the free-agent market.
• The Denver Broncos agreed to deals with right tackle Mike McGlinchey and left guard Ben Powers and also agreed on a contract with quarterback Jarrett Stidham to be Russell Wilson’s backup.
• After signing defensive tackle Daron Payne to a four-year contract worth $90 million with $60 million guaranteed, the Washington Commanders added depth and versatility with former Kansas City Chiefs tackle/guard Andrew Wylie and ex-New York Giants center/guard Nick Gates.
• The New York Giants and linebacker Bobby Okereke agreed on a four-year, $40 million contract, a person familiar with the deal told the Associated Press.
The person said $22 million is guaranteed. Okereke spent his first four seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, starting 49 games.
The Giants also kept their special teams unit together, re-signing punter Jamie Gillan and long snapper Casey Kreiter.
• The Minnesota Vikings ramped up their run blocking by agreeing to terms with former Baltimore tight end Josh Oliver on a three-year, $21 million contract.
• The Houston Texans and quarterback Case Keenum agreed on a two-year, $6.25 million contract.
• Frustrated by the pace of talks on an extension, the agent for running back Austin Ekeler is seeking permission from the Los Angeles Chargers to speak to other teams about potential trade options.
• The Carolina Panthers agreed to terms on contracts with safety Vonn Bell and defensive tackle Shy Tuttle.
• The Patriots agreed to terms on a new contract to retain free-agent cornerback Jonathan Jones. The 29-year-old got a two-year deal worth a maximum value of $20 million, with $13 million guaranteed.
• The Detroit Lions agreed to a $18.75 million, three-year deal with linebacker Alex Anzalone, who started in every game for the Lions over the past two seasons.
• The New York Jets are re-signing kicker Greg Zuerlein, who had a solid first season with the Jets, including kicking a franchise-record 60-yard field goal.