Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Flacco Reportedly Returning to Bengals
Joe Flacco is staying in the AFC North.
Flacco is reportedly returning to the Cincinnati Bengals on a one-year, $6 million deal worth up to $9 million with incentives, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.
After mulling his options, the 41-year-old Flacco will back up Joe Burrow again. Flacco had previously said he wanted to compete for a starting role, but with his return to Cincinnati, Flacco will be a backup in his 19th season, barring another injury to Burrow.
Traded from the Browns last season, Flacco completed 61.7% of his passes for 1,664 yards, 13 touchdowns, and four interceptions in nine games with the Bengals. No quarterback threw for more yards last year in a single game than Flacco's 470 yards against the Bears.
Flacco kept the Bengals alive in the playoff hunt as Burrow recovered from turf toe surgery.
The Bengals also signed veteran journeyman Josh Johnson in free agency to add depth to their quarterback room.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Jaquan Brisker Aims to Be Versatile Weapon on Defense
Jaquan Brisker is hoping to be the AFC North's latest do-it-all safety.
Brisker is excited to bring his versatility to Pittsburgh after signing a one-year deal with the Steelers, reportedly worth $5.5 million. During his introductory press conference, the 6-foot-1, 204-pound Brisker cited the importance of being able to play at multiple spots, drawing comparisons to Kyle Hamilton and other safeties across the league.
"I just feel excited to be used like a Swiss Army knife," Brisker said via Mike Prisuta of Steelers.com. "Playing free [safety], playing strong [safety], playing that 'dime' 'backer or whatever, just being moved around to showcase what I can do and help this team win and elevate my teammates and elevate the defense."
Brisker had 93 tackles, eight passes defensed, and one interception for the Bears last season. The former second-round pick out of Penn State had back-to-back seasons with 100+ tackles in his first two years in Chicago.
"I feel like I can do a lot more than you guys have seen," Brisker said. "I can't wait to showcase that. That's what I'm waiting on, for me to be used a lot more."
The Steelers also added one of Brisker's teammates from Chicago Monday, reportedly signing running back Travis Homer, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Homer is the second running back the Steelers have signed this offseason, following Rico Dowdle.
Cleveland Browns: Proposed Rule Change Could Add Even More Spice to Trades
The NFL trade market is as active as it's ever been, and the Browns are proposing a new rule that could heat it up even more.
The Browns have submitted a proposal to allow teams to trade draft selections up to five seasons in the future instead of just three. The proposal will be discussed at the annual league meetings in Phoenix, Ariz., next week. Any changes need to be approved by at least 24 of the 32 teams.
The NFL has been no stranger to recent blockbuster trades involving multiple first-round picks.
Four years ago, the Browns traded three first-round picks for their acquisition of quarterback Deshaun Watson. Last season, the Colts and Packers each traded two first-rounders for cornerback Sauce Gardner and pass rusher Micah Parsons, respectively. The Ravens were set to trade two first-round picks for Maxx Crosby before the deal fell through.
