2022 NFL free agency: Latest league news from Monday, March 21 – NFL.com

NFL.com
Baltimore’s utility man is staying in Charm City.
The Ravens have agreed to a three-year deal with fullback Patrick Ricard, the team announced Monday. Ricard’s new deal is expected to keep him as the second-highest-paid fullback in the NFL behind only San Francisco’s Kyle Juszczyk, per NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport.
Ricard has filled whatever role has been asked of him during his five seasons in Baltimore. He’s never caught more than nine passes in a season, and he’s recorded a mere three rushing attempts in his career, but in that same span, he’s proven to be a highly valuable blocker who has been key to the Ravens’ success on the ground since the arrival of quarterback Lamar Jackson in 2018.
He’s also gone above and beyond the call of football duty, becoming a two-way ironman of old in his first three seasons by filling the role of both fullback and a rotational defensive tackle, playing a single-season high of 140 defensive snaps in 2019. Ricard mans an important special teams role as well, standing out as one of the rare players to play a part in all three phases of a team’s game.
His efforts have not gone unnoticed. Though fullback is a thankless job and Juszczyk is essentially the lone fullback to see more than roughly a dozen targets in a season, the Ravens have found a way to target Ricard for a touchdown at least once in four of his five professional seasons. He’s also earned three straight Pro Bowl appearances.
Ricard was already making the second-most money among all fullbacks in terms of annual average salary, but it’s fair to expect his new deal to move him closer to that of Juszczyk. Either way, it’s good living for the former undrafted defensive tackle from Maine.
Trent Brown won’t be leaving New England after all. NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported that Brown agreed to terms on a new two-year contract with the Patriots.
New Bengals OT La’el Collins proclaimed to QB Joe Burrow that his new bodyguard is in town after signing a three-year deal.
A decision on Matt Ryan’s future in Atlanta will come today. NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Monday morning that the Falcons have fielded trade calls the last few days centered around the former MVP QB.
Justin Herbert has a new toy to play with. The Chargers are signing veteran tight end Gerald Everett to a two-year, $12 million deal, Ian Rapoport reports. The pact includes $8 million fully guaranteed and a max value of $13.5 million.
Departing Dallas and arriving in Cincinnati, La’el Collins is the latest addition to the Bengals’ rebuilt offensive line. Collins is signing with the Bengals, Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo report.
Outside linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill agreed to a one-year, $4 million deal with the Texans, Ian Rapoport reports.
Two months after Pittsburgh’s playoff loss at Arrowhead Stadium, JuJu Smith-Schuster was back in Kansas City on Sunday to be introduced as the newest member of the Chiefs.
The Seahawks agreed to terms with running back Rashaad Penny on a one-year deal to return to the team. Penny, 26, will make $5.75 million on the contract with a chance to earn up to $6.5 million.
Cleveland announced Sunday that it traded for Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, giving up three first-round picks, a 2023 third-round pick and a 2024 fourth-round pick for the QB and a 2024 fifth-rounder.
Houston Texans GM Nick Caserio said that Friday’s trade of Deshaun Watson brought “clarity” for both the team and its former quarterback. Caserio also said he’s still determining whether the club will look to add to the QB room via the draft or a veteran.
Davante Adams’ trade to the Raiders pairs him with his hometown team. Before the transaction became official, the All-Pro wide receiver offered an extended thanks and goodbye on Instagram to what had been his only NFL home.
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