ASHBURN, Va. — The WFT has hinted to us that they do not plan on “overpaying” as shoppers as NFL free agency hits this week. But that doesn’t mean they won’t be newsmakers. Updated by the minute, our Washington Football Team 2021 NFL Free Agency Tracker: Monday morning negotiations, Wednesday afternoon signings … News and views on the roster-building effort …
MARCH 16: WFT GOES BIG AT CORNER – William Jackson III has agreed to a three-year, $42 million deal with the Washington Football Team, to replace Ronald Darby. The former first round pick is 28 years old.
Jackson was a stud early in his career but has been mostly good since that point. He’s been relatively healthy since being injured in his rookie season.
MARCH 15: THE ANSWER IS RYAN FITZPATRICK – Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, Ryan Fitzpatrick, the long-time veteran QB of seven different teams, last of Miami, has agreed to a deal with the Washington Football Team. It’s a one-year deal worth around $10 million.
MARCH 15: KEVIN PIERRE-LOUIS LEAVING – The speedy linebacker, who was Washington’s best in coverage is off to Houston on a two-year deal worth about $8 million.
MARCH 15: RONALD DARBY TO DENVER – What we feared in our cornerbacks preview of free agency – what would happen if Ronald Darby left Washington…
READ MORE: WFT Cornerbacks UFA Preview
Now, we have word that’s not an if …it’s happening. Darby has reported agreed to a three-year deal worth around $30 million with the Denver Broncos, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
And now we wonder: Will the WFT call Richard Sherman?
MARCH 15: ANDY AND ALEX FLIP? The Washington Football Team needs an upgrade from Alex Smith at QB. The Dallas Cowboys might need a replacement for Andy Dalton as their backup QB.
What if each team offers the solution for the other?
A source on Monday reiterated to us Dalton’s quest to once again be a starter. Meanwhile, Smith – who was a $20 million QB in Washington last year – might no longer be that.
It’s worth noting that there are those here inside The Star who have great respect for Alex Smith … and that Dak is among them.
Dalton – for a decade the first-team guy in Cincinnati before signing his one-year deal back home in Texas a season ago – made just $3 million in base salary in 2020. He’s obviously looking for a better deal than that, and a rebound to a starting job in the NFL.
The Cowboys would love to have Dalton simply come back. But his first efforts, as free agency opens, is to be first-team.
MARCH 15: IS IT TRU? Could the WFT find a match with Mitchell Trubisky? That’s the way we see it, early on … Washington Football Team Free Agency Shopping: Positional Preview – QB’s
Our understanding is that Chicago isn’t in love with the idea of keeping him. And again, the WFT doesn’t seem very enthusiastic about paying a gigantic bounty for the likes of Deshaun Watson.
MARCH 14: KICKER DECISION He wasn’t perfect, but he’s coming back. Washington Football Team Makes Free Agency Kicker Decision – It’s Dustin Hopkins again.
MARCH 14: POSITIONAL PREVIEWS We’ve got every group covered for you, starting here …
Washington Free Agency Shopping: Positional Preview – OT’s
Washington Football Free Agency : Positional Preview – RB’s
Washington Free Agency Shopping: Positional Preview – Guards/Centers
Washington Free Agency Shopping: Positional Preview – WRs
Washington Football Team Free Agency Shopping: Positional – TE’s
MARCH 13: SPEAKING OF TIGHT END We have a name as a helper … Washington ‘Not Desperate’ Help On Offense? Target Rams’ Everett
MARCH 12: THE TAGGED GUY Scherff Signs …His Tag … which means there is more negotiating to be done. But it’s a start.
MARCH 11: BRISSETT A SMART MOVE? Jacoby Brissett? We make a good argument for him as the WFT’s next QB here: Colts QB Jacoby Brissett A Washington Football Team Fit
MARCH 11: START WITH SAMUEL We keep coming back to this old pal Panthers receiver … NFL Free Agency: WR Curtis Samuel Should Be Washington Top Target