2017 NFL Free Agency Rumors Tracker: Kirk Cousins, Tony Romo and More

Tracking all of the major 2017 NFL free agency rumors from Wednesday, March 8 in Day 2 of the legal tampering period.

Though 2017 NFL free agency is still over 24 hours away from officially getting started, things have already started happening in a big way. At noon ET on Tuesday, the legal tampering period began as teams were able to begin negotiating and talking with players. Thus, the 2017 NFL free agency rumors started flying and didn’t stop for much of the day.

Over the course of Day 1 of the tampering period, there were a few things that stuck out among the rumors (which we tracked, here). First, the Chicago Bears are going to be major players in free agency this offseason. It seemed as if any notable player that’s available came up in a crop of NFL free agency rumors, the Bears were connected. Those players included cornerback Stephon Gilmore, quarterback Mike Glennon and a plethora of others.

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Perhaps the most shocking buzz from Tuesday was that regarding Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins. It was first reported by Mike Silver that his “guess” (an educated one, albeit) would be that Cousins landing with the San Francisco 49ers was “more likely than not.” That was followed up later in the day with local reports in D.C. that Cousins to the Niners was essentially a done deal.

Other big storylines of note from Tuesday and Day 1 included Adrian Peterson’s favored destinations, the Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots reaching out to DeSean Jackson, and cornerback A.J. Bouye likely remaining in the AFC South, be it with the Texans or not.

After all of that in a hectic Day 1 of the legal tampering period, let’s get started with Day 2 on Wednesday, March 8. In reverse chronological order, we’ll track all of the day’s major NFL free agency rumors as things should really start to heat up.

Ravens Getting Massive Help at Safety

Per Ian Rapaport of NFL Network, the Baltimore Ravens are set to sign free agent safety Tony Jefferson:

Jaguars Hook A Big (6-8 to be exact) Fish

Aggressive in the tampering period, the Jaguars get a strong veteran on their defensive front as Dianna Russini of ESPN reports that they’ll sign Calais Campbell:

Another 49ers Rumor? Why Not

As the Niners continue on their Wednesday shopping spree, Peter Schrager of FOX Sports is reporting that the team and linebacker Malcolm Smith share “mutual interest:”

Packers Losing Key Piece of Secondary

Known for keeping their own, the Green Bay Packers may lose one of the biggest parts of their secondary as Ian Rapaport is reporting that Micah Hyde seems like he’s “out the door:”

Bad Blood An Obstacle in Potential Kirk Cousins Trade

As reported by Kevin Jones of KNBR in San Francisco, the 49ers and Kyle Shanahan face an interesting obstacle in trying to get a Kirk Cousins trade done: an owner who behaves like a vindictive middle schooler. Redskins owner Dan Snyder essentially doesn’t want to help out Shanahan:

Falcons Re-Sign Matt Schaub as Backup

In a tidbit from earlier in the day, the Falcons are bringing back Matt Schaub to back up Matt Ryan under center, per Adam Schefter:

San Fran In Running for Star Defensive Tackle?

Though open-ended, Matt Miller of Bleacher Report says that the 49ers can’t be ruled out as a possible landing spot for former Ravens star Brandon Williams:

Browns Possibly Landing Premier Option at Safety

According to both Ian Rapaport and Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, the talent deficient Cleveland Browns have a viable chance of signing Tony Jefferson, one of the best players on the market:

Bills Get Another Vet in the Backfield

Buffalo will sign running back/fullback Mike Tolbert, per Mike Rodak and Jordan Raanan:

Bengals Secure Depth Alongside A.J. Green

With an uncertain receiving corps, the Cincinnati Bengals agreed to a one-year deal with veteran wideout Brandon LaFell:

49ers Signing a Pro Bowler

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the 49ers will keep spending as they’ll land fullback Kyle Juszczyk:

Eagles Keeping Their Young Weapon

Despite the fact that there should’ve been a market for him, the Dolphins are reportedly set to re-sign wide receiver Kenny Stills, according to Benjamin Allbright:

Patriots Make a Trade To Get Their Tight End

The Patriots pulled off a deal with the Indianapolis Colts that will give them their No. 2 tight end, getting Dwayne Allen in the deal, according to Ian Rapaport:

Kyle Shanahan Has Speed to Burn Now

In a weird day for the 49ers in free agency, they’ve also agreed to sign speedy wideout Marquise Goodwin, per Ian Rapaport:

Jags Land a Strong Safety

Barry Church has agreed to sign with the Jacksonville Jaguars, per Ian Rapaport:

Bills Get a Quality Fullback

Per Ian Rapaport, the Bills have agreed to sign fullback Patrick DiMarco, who will be a welcomed addition in front of LeSean McCoy:

Cousins Dreamin’, Hoyer Livin’

The 49ers and Kyle Shanahan had probably hoped for Kirk Cousins. But for now, they’ve got Brian Hoyer as Ian Rapaport reports that San Francisco will sign the veteran:

Dolphins Retain Key Defensive Piece

According to Ian Rapaport, the Dolphins are hanging on to a key piece of their defense in Andre Branch:

Ravens Release Elvis Dumervil

Who’s After Bennett?

Jason La Canfora is reporting that the Patriots are looking to re-sign Bennett, but have plenty of competition Giants, Jaguars and Bills also showing interest in the tight end:

Bills Sticking With Tyrod

After a rollercoaster debate about what to do at quarterback, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Buffalo Bills will stick with Tyrod Taylor and restructure his contract:

Romo Update

La Canfora reported earlier that Tony Romo could be released on Thursday and Adam Schefter and Todd Archer of ESPN are now reporting the same:

Jets Leading Market on Quality Edge Rusher?

Nick Perry is a name that we haven’t heard much from, but Connor Hughes of NJ Advanced Media is reporting that the New York Jets have a great deal of interest in the edge rusher, though they aren’t the only ones.

Jaguars Aiming High

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapaport, Jacksonville has eyes for some of the biggest names on the market, including Kevin Zeitler, A.J. Bouye, Calais Campbell and Barry Church:

Romo Wars Have a Start Date?

One of the biggest dominoes waiting to fall this offseason, Jason La Canfora is reporting that the Cowboys are likely to release Tony Romo on Thursday if they don’t find a trade:

Lions Land Ricky Wagner

The market for him lucrative given his talent and the need around the league, the Detroit Lions won the Ricky Wagner sweepstakes by agreeing to terms with the right tackle, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapaport:

49ers Also Interested in Fullback Juszczyk

With reports of a massively frontloaded deal coming for Pierre Garcon from San Francisco, the Niners are also pursuing Pro Bowl fullback Kyle Juszczyk, per Tom Pelissero of USA Today Sports:

Vikings Going After Veteran Defensive Tackle

Departing from the Cincinnati Bengals at 32 years old, the Minnesota Vikings reportedly will make a push for Domanta Peko on the open market, per Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press:

Chandler Jones Set to Sign Long-Term in Arizona

After being hit the with the franchise tag, Chandler Jones and the Arizona Cardinals are close on a five-year contract according to Ian Rapaport, which the NFL Network insider calls “large:”

Cowboys Bring Back Cheap Receiving Option

According to Bobby Belt of Cowboys Cast, Dallas has re-signed Brice Butler:

Kevin Zeitler Sweepstakes More Crowded

While Jags were mentioned earlier by Jason Cole as a team that kept coming up regarding guard Kevin Zeitler, the Colts and Browns are also involved, per Jason La Canfora:

49ers Ready to Give Pierre Garcon a Boatload of Money

Hold onto your seats, but the San Francisco 49ers are ready to pay a ton of money to Pierre Garcon. According the ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, the deal the veteran will sign with the Niners will play him $16 million in Year 1:

Raiders Re-Signing Murray Not Out of the Question

Oakland is letting Latavius Murray test the market, but Adam Caplan of ESPN is reporting that you can’t rule out the Raiders re-signing the 27-year-old running back:

Vikings Hoping to Address Biggest Need

Needing some semblance of an offensive line, the Vikings are reportedly going to be after Russell Okung when free agency gets underway, per ESPN’s Josina Anderson:

Eagles in Play for A.J. Bouye

Reports on Tuesday indicated that A.J. Bouye would be staying in the AFC South. Now Ed Werder of ESPN is reporting that the Texans are afraid that they’ll lose the budding star at corner to the Eagles:

Ricky Wagner Set to Get Paid

Free agent right tackle Ricky Wagner is reportedly a large target for the Bills and Bears, as reported by Michael Lombardi of The Ringer, who describes the teams as being “all over” the tackle. Lombardi also notes that Wagner is set to get paid a hefty sum:

Trio of Teams Showing Interest in Logan Ryan

Doug Moore of Inside The Pylon is reporting that the Jaguars, 49ers and Bears have all shown “interest” in cornerback Logan Ryan, though Moore notes that there’s no word if they’ve reached out:

Market for Brian Hoyer Emerging

With the quarterback market uncertain and thin for now, the 49ers and Jets have both shown “strong interest” in Brian Hoyer, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapaport:

Bills Favored to Sign Star Fullback

Though the Browns were mentioned earlier as a team targeting fullback Kyle Juszczyk, the Buffal Bills are now considered the “favorites” to sign the Pro-Bowler, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter:

Giants Beef Up Receiving Corps in Big Way

According the ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the New York Giants have agreed to a two-year contract with veteran wideout Brandon Marshall, who was recently released by the Jets. The deal is worth $6 million per year:

Redskins Moving On From Baker, Going After Another Big DT, Safety

In a loaded report from NFL Insider Jason La Canfora, the Redskins are “highly likely” to let Chris Baker walk. Additionally, they’ll pursue Dontari Poe for their defensive front and also safety Barry Church. La Canfora also says Church is on radar for Jaguars:

Seahawks Not Interested In Adrian Peterson Right Now

According to Tom Pelissero of USA Today Sports, the Seattle Seahawks (one team mentioned as a possible suitor) have “no immediate interest” in the future Hall-of-Fame running back:

Bears Nearing Hefty Agreement With Glennon?

While talking on NFL Network’s GMFB, Ian Rapaport stated that the Chicago Bears are “most likely to agree” to a deal that would pay the quarterback $14-15 million per year (via former NFL scout Greg Gabriel). Rapaport’s implication was that the agreement is close and that the Bears could still draft a quarterback early in 2017:

Conflicting Reports Emerge Regarding Cousins

After Tuesday was filled with buzz about Kirk Cousins heading to the 49ers, the first report on the matter on Wednesday swats them away. Master Tesfatsion of the Washington Post is reporting that there is “no truth” to the rumors that him going to San Francisco is seemingly inevitable:

Brandin Cooks Trade Talks, Hopes Still Ongoing

Though not much has been heard about it the past few days, the New Orleans Saints are still looking for a trade partner for Brandin Cooks and the Titans, Eagles and Patriots are all involved, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapaport. Rap Sheet also adds that the Saints want draft compensation or “someone to affect QBs:”

Kevin Zeitler Bound for Jacksonville?

Looking for offensive line help this offseason, the Jacksonville Jaguars are reportedly heavily connected to the best offensive lineman available, guard Kevin Zeitler, according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report. Cole notes other teams are still pursuing, but Jags consistently mentioned:

DeSean Jackson Looking for Big Money, Suitors Still the Same

Per Jason Cole of Bleacher report, the Cowboys, Patriots, Eagles and Buccaneers remain in play for veteran speedster DeSean Jackson. Cole also reports that the wideout will command a hefty price tag wherever he signs:

Redskins Re-Up With Veteran Tight End

Early on Wednesday morning, the Washington Redskins and free agent veteran tight end Vernon Davis agreed to a three-year deal, per Master Tesfatsion of the Washington Post:

Chargers Re-Sign Safety After Tuesday Cutting Spree

After releasing three relatively big names on Tuesday, the Los Angeles Chargers are reportedly set to re-sign safety Jahleel Addae with a four-year deal on the table, per ESPN’s Field Yates:

49ers Looking at Another Redskin?

In addition to the buzz from Tuesday about landing Cousins via trade, the Niners are also reportedly interested in reuniting veteran wide receiver Pierre Garcon and their new head coach, Kyle Shanahan, per Ian Rapaport of NFL Network:

Browns Aiming For Proven Fullback

Coming off of a Pro Bowl season in 2016 with the Baltimore Ravens, the Cleveland Browns are reportedly “very interested” in fullback Kyle Juszczyk, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter:

Cowboys Finding Their New Backup?

As was mentioned several days ago, it now looks like the Dallas Cowboys are getting closer to landing veteran quarterback Josh McCown to be their new backup as he’ll meet with the team on Wednesday, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter:

Dontari Poe’s Market Not Lucrative

Projected as possibly one of the top free agents this offseason, defensive tackle Dontari Poe is reportedly not seeing the money he’d hoped and that could lead to him opting for a one-year deal in hopes of increasing his value, according the Bleacher Report’s Jason Cole:

Oh, those NFL free agency rumors seem to never stop pouring in.

Next: 2017 NFL Free Agency: Predictions for Top 50 Players

Again, teams can’t officially sign players that they aren’t re-upping until Thursday, March 9 at 4 p.m. ET. With that being said, there’s a very good chance that Wednesday will make things on the market start to take shape much more so than on Tuesday.