Henry to Ravens heads another busy day for NFL free agency
Derrick Henry is leaving the Tennessee Titans to team up with MVP Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens with a two-year deal worth up to $20 million.
Henry's deal follows several others for running backs during the NFL's two-day legal tampering period. The position has been devalued in recent years, but this year's run shows teams will go after running backs at the right price. At least a dozen running backs are switching teams along with at least 10 quarterbacks, including Kirk Cousins and Russell Wilson.
Commanders signing Mariota
The Washington Commanders have added a veteran quarterback in free agency. The team agreed Tuesday with Marcus Mariota on a one-year contract with a base salary of $6 million that could be worth up to $10 million. Mariota has appeared in 90 NFL games and started 74 for four teams since being taken with the second pick in the 2015 draft. Adding the 30-year-old increases the likelihood of Washington using the No. 2 pick this year on a QB. LSU's Jayden Daniels and North Carolina's Drake Maye are among the prospects expected to be available if Chicago takes Southern California's Caleb Williams first.
Vikings adding Jones, Darnold
The Minnesota Vikings stayed aggressive in free agency by adding former Green Bay running back Aaron Jones and 2018 third overall draft pick Sam Darnold as a temporary replacement at quarterback. Jones was released by the Packers and agreed to a one-year, $7 million contract with their biggest rival. Darnold played last season for San Francisco and gets a one-year, $10 million deal.
Queen signing with Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are luring inside linebacker Patrick Queen away from rival Baltimore. The Steelers and the inside linebacker have agreed to a three-year deal worth $41 million. The 24-year-old Queen is coming off a career year with Baltimore in 2023, when he led the team with 133 tackles and was selected to the Pro Bowl for the first time.
Hunter signing with Texans
The Houston Texans have agreed with four-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Danielle Hunter on a $49 million, two-year contract. Hunter had a career-best 16 1/2 sacks last season for Minnesota. He’s reached double digits in sacks five times in eight years. Hunter replaces Jonathan Greenard, who is heading to the Vikings. Hunter will play opposite AP Defensive Rookie of the Year Will Anderson on Houston’s defensive line.
Texans trading for Mixon
The Houston Texans are acquiring running back Joe Mixon from the Cincinnati Bengals. Mixon will replace Devin Singletary, who has agreed to a deal with the New York Giants. Mixon led the Bengals last season with 1,034 yards rushing and nine touchdowns. Cincinnati planned to release him after agreeing on a contract with running back Zack Moss on Monday. Instead, the Texans are sending an undisclosed draft pick to the Bengals to keep Mixon off the open market. He’ll join Dameon Pierce in the backfield for the AFC South champions.
Panthers get Johnson from Pittsburgh
The Carolina Panthers are giving quarterback Bryce Young the No. 1 wide receiver he’s been lacking. The Panthers have agreed to acquire Diontae Johnson from the Pittsburgh Steelers for cornerback Donte Jackson. The deal includes a swap of later-round picks in this year's draft. Johnson had 391 receptions for 4,363 yards and 25 touchdowns in five seasons with the Steelers. Jackson gives Pittsburgh a veteran opposite Joey Porter Jr., who thrived as a rookie last season.