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Today is the day. The first day of 2019 NFL Free Agency. The tampering period begins and teams can negotiate contracts with players before they can officially sign them. The plan here at Battle Red Blog is to have an open thread for every day this week while the action is hot and heavy. This thread will be updated as the day progresses, and new posts will be published whenever Houston makes a move. From there, we will be on our horseys writing film articles, providing deeper analysis, and podcasting as things progress.
So far there have been a few interesting moves:
Antonio Brown was traded to the Oakland Raiders for a third and a fifth, and received a higher paying guaranteed contract.
Inside the new Antonio Brown deal in Oakland, which pushes the new-money average of his 2017 deal with the Steelers from $17 million to $19.8 million https://t.co/I7fEUIjz3s
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) March 10, 2019
The Raiders also extended run stopping defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins.
Raiders extend Johnathan Hankins https://t.co/bzohj5M5gx
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) March 10, 2019
Kelechi Osemele and a sixth round pick were traded to the New York Jets for a fifth round pick.
Raiders have an agreement in principle to trade G Kelechi Osemele to the NY Jets, sources tell @josinaanderson and me. Trade cannot be processed until Weds, but two sides have agreement in place. Another Raiders’ trade.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 10, 2019
Justin Houston was released after the Chiefs couldn’t find someone to dance with.
Source: The #Chiefs are releasing pass-rusher Justin Houston after trying to trade him.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 10, 2019
All of this is as of Sunday Night. I’m sure when we are driving to our factories to go to work tomorrow there will already have been additional moves made. Until then, this thread will be updated throughout the day, and is yours to discuss the first day of free agency.
The Malik Jackson to the Houston Texans dream is dead:
The #Eagles are expected to sign DT Malik Jackson on a 3-year deal worth $30M, source said. The deal isn’t agreed to yet, but it is getting there.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 11, 2019
And Trent Brown didn’t become a thing for your Houston Texans in 2019:
Former Patriots’ OT Trent Brown intends to sign a four-year, $66 million contract that includes $36.75 million guaranteed with the Oakland Raiders, per source, making him highest paid OL in NFL history.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2019
Texans re-up Angelo Blackson. Shrug.
#Texans and DE Angelo Blackson agreed to a 3-year, $12m deal, source said. Blackson played in 40% of the defensive snaps last season.
— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) March 11, 2019
Left un-signed from #Texans DL: Christian Covington, Joel Heath (RFA), and Brandon Dunn.
Houston reportedly is offering Tyraan Mathieu more than $9.5 million a year to stay.
The Texans offered S Tyrann Mathieu a long-term deal in excess of $9.5 million per year to stay in Houston, per sources.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 11, 2019
Team wants to keep him. He'd like to stay. He'll test the market first.
Nick Foles is signing with the Jaguars:
The #Jaguars had Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles as their top target. Per @MikeGarafolo he gets 4 years and $88M. Large.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 11, 2019
Terrell Suggs has, indeed, signed with the Cards. Giving RapSheet credit for the first report.
Source: The #AZCardinals are expected to sign former #Ravens pass-rusher Terrell Suggs. Back home where he went to college.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 11, 2019
And another re-up for the Texans as DeAndre Carter is returning:
#Texans WR DeAndre Carter (@DCarter_2) tallied 20 receptions for 195 yards (9.8 avg.), returned 16 punts for 146 yards (9.1 avg.) and returned nine kickoffs for 221 yards (24.6 avg.) in seven regular season games for Houston in 2018. pic.twitter.com/cwq8iF5vws
— Texans PR (@TexansPR) March 11, 2019
Yikes:
The #Chiefs are signing former #Texans S Tyrann Mathieu to a 3-year deal worth $42M, source said. This was their top target in free agency, prying him from the #Texans.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 11, 2019