Which NFL players are going to become free agents earlier than they expected? I’ll keep a tally of the players who are released, with a focus on those who might be a fit for the Los Angeles Rams.
The list won’t be entirely comprehensive but if you notice a relevant release that should be added to the list, please do put in the comments section. Corrections are welcome!
Friday, March 5, 2021
Raiders will release G Richie Incognito
The #Raiders will be releasing Richie Incognito because of their salary cap. He is 100% healthy and looks forward to continuing his career there or elsewhere, source said.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 5, 2021
Finally, the Rams can form the oldest line in NFL history.
Washington releases QB Alex Smith
The Washington Football Team has informed QB Alex Smith that he has been released as expected, setting free the AP Comeback Player of the Year and closing the door on one of the coolest stories in the NFL last season. Smith is believed to still want to play.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 5, 2021
Would Smith be a consideration for a 49ers reunion?
Chargers will trade or release G Trai Turner
Chargers are actively shopping former Pro-Bowl guard Trai Turner, per source. It looks like he will be traded or released in the near future. He’s due $11.5 million this season.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 5, 2021
Trai Turner made five Pro Bowls by the time he was 26 but he seems to have been trending downwards for several years now. He’s still only 27 but Turner could be a risk for anything more than a prove-it contract.
Raiders may be forced to release QB Marcus Mariota, if they can’t trade him
I’m watching how the Raiders will handle Marcus Mariota.
Mariota has the leverage to force the team to release him vs. trade him. Raiders need the cap space. QB’s agent covets the ability to pick his landing spot.
Feels like Mariota gets released, not traded.
— John Canzano (@johncanzanobft) March 5, 2021
Mariota never proved capable of starting in the NFL, so I’m not sure why a team would trade for him because then they’d be taking on his contract. I wouldn’t project him as anything more than a backup, and not for the Rams.
Bengals release C B.J. Finney
We’ve released C B.J. Finney.
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) March 5, 2021
Finney got $4.5 million guaranteed from the Seahawks last year and he didn’t play a single offensive snap in 2020 for either Seattle or the Bengals after he was traded to them midseason.
Thursday, March 4, 2021
Giants release WR Golden Tate
Giants released WR Golden Tate, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 3, 2021
Tate turns 33 this year and the last time he had over 50 yards in a game was in 2019.
Tuesday, March 2, 2021
Jets release DE Henry Anderson
We’ve released DL Henry Anderson.
— New York Jets (@nyjets) March 3, 2021
Anderson had seven sacks in 2018 but has five other injured or unproductive seasons.