The NFL offseason is in full swing, and while the draft and free agency are still a few weeks away, there is plenty action around the NFL as teams are making preparations for the start of the new year on March 9. Check out the latest news and rumors in our NFL Rumors Roundup.
Dolphins, Jags trade in the works
The Miami Dolphins were reportedly ready to cut left tackle Branden Albert last week, but then received some trade inquiries about him. Now, they're preparing to send him to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a late round draft pick, according to Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald.
The Miami Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars have agreed to a trade that would send left tackle Branden Albert to Jacksonville in exchange for a 2018 late-round draft pick, according to a league source.
And although the teams have agreed to the compensation, which is most likely a seventh-round pick, this doesn’t mean the deal is complete.
It’s important that Albert agree to report to Jacksonville for the deal to happen and so the clubs have agreed that Albert’s representation can speak with the Jaguars about his contract status and the player can visit with the Jaguars despite being Dolphins’ property.
The Jaguars and Albert’s agents have been talking for several days about the offensive lineman’s contract and there is a good chance the Jaguars will not only take on Albert’s contract, which runs through 2018, but might extend the deal in order to give the player a greater sense of financial security -- a way of enticing Albert to go play for the Jaguars.
Original reports had Jacksonville sending tight end Julius Thomas to the Dolphins for Albert, but that is not the case. He played and started in 12 games for Miami last season.
Romo favoring Texans, Chiefs
The Dallas Cowboys are expected to cut Tony Romo this offseason instead of trading him, which would leave him as the most sought-after free agent on the open market. Every team with a quarterback need is interested in him, but Peter King of TheMMQB reports that the Houston Texans or Kansas City Chiefs would be the best fits for Romo.
Neither team has to do anything major. The Texans have a great defense and are likely to play Tom Savage at quarterback in Week 1. The Chiefs have a very good defense and are likely to play Alex Smith at quarterback in Week 1.
That’s where Tony Romo comes into play. Some knowledge about Romo first. It’s likely he plays somewhere in 2017, and I say that because I know he had a chance to get at least one very good off-field job offer since the end of the regular season. He didn’t do it, because he still wants to play. He knows everyone thinks he’s a piece of fine china and will crack if dropped to the floor. There’s nothing he can do about that other than to play.
Given his druthers, Houston coach Bill O’Brien would likely rather have Garoppolo, a long-termer with a grounding in the tough, Patriot Way coaching he’d get under O’Brien. And the buzz around the team is that Savage will have every opportunity to win the job. The 2017 season will be O’Brien’s fourth. He’s made the playoffs twice in three seasons, with Brian Hoyer and Brock Osweiler his forgettable quarterbacks, and O’Brien knows this is a vital year for him and for his program. With Romo, O’Brien would have the veteran winner he’s longed for—and a coachable one. And if Romo got hurt, he’d have Savage. Seeing that he’s thought all along Savage would probably be his guy this year, why not upgrade there?
In Kansas City, Andy Reid has seen the ceiling of Alex Smith, and it is nice. Nice, as in final eight of the NFL … not as in final two. Reid has never minded upsetting the apple cart for a potentially special player. Romo would be that. Smith is mature enough to take this, to understand the addition of Romo would be good for the team. Smith wouldn’t pout. He’d be a team guy. That’s why the Chiefs make sense too.
Romo played just one drive this season, completing 3/4 passes for 29 yards and a touchdown. In his last full season in 2014, Romo through for 3,705 yards with 34 touchdowns and just nine interceptions.
Murray hinting at signing with Eagles?
Oakland Raiders running back Latavius Murray figures to be one of the top running backs available in free agency this offseason, and while the Raiders have said they would like to re-sign him, they don't plan to get into a bidding war.
Several other teams are also interested in signing him, one of which is the Philadelphia Eagles. On Instagram, Murray posted this picture with Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz with the caption "I'm just here to help."
Many see this as a sign or a hint that Murray wants to sign with the Eagles. Philadelphia has a need at running back, as Ryan Mathews was their leading rusher with 661 yards last year. They also had six different running backs combine for 16 rushing touchdowns.
Murray ran for 788 yards and a career-high 12 touchdowns on 195 carries this season.
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