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NFL notebook: Browns LT Thomas announces retirement

[March 15, 2018] Cleveland Browns left tackle Joe Thomas plans to retire rather than returning for his 12th NFL season, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported on Wednesday afternoon, two hours before the start of free agency.

"Playing in the NFL has taken a toll on my body and I can no longer physically compete like I need to," Thomas said in a statement.

Thomas injured his arm in the third quarter of the Browns' Oct. 22 game against the Tennessee Titans and missed nine games. When he left the field, it ended an 11-year streak in which he played 10,363 consecutive snaps.

The Browns lauded Thomas with a simple message via Twitter regarding his retirement: "See you in Canton, Joe."

--Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater will sign a one-year deal with the New York Jets that could be worth up to $15 million with performance-related escalators, according to multiple media reports.

Bridgewater has effectively missed two seasons recovering from a knee injury sustained in August 2016. He led the Vikings to an 11-5 record and playoff appearance in his last full season as Minnesota's starter.

The Jets also agreed to bring back veteran quarterback Josh McCown, who started for the team in 2017, and reached a deal with former Washington Redskins center Spencer Long, according to multiple reports.

--Jordy Nelson plans to visit the Oakland Raiders after being informed of his release by the Green Bay Packers.

Nelson is familiar with the West Coast-based system Jon Gruden plans to employ in Oakland and would not need to learn a new position. Edgar Bennett, offensive coordinator with the Packers last season, is now the wide receivers coach for the Raiders.

Following his scheduled visit with the Raiders, Nelson reportedly will sit down with the Seattle Seahawks and the New Orleans Saints.

--Free agent left tackle Nate Solder agreed to a four-year deal worth $15.5 million per season to join the New York Giants.

NFL Network first reported Solder's decision to leave the New England Patriots and select the Giants over the Houston Texans. The contract would make Solder the highest-paid offensive tackle in the NFL and add a cornerstone to an offensive line ridiculed in recent seasons. Solder's contract is potentially worth $62 million.

--The Vikings are closing in on a deal to acquire quarterback Trevor Siemian from the Denver Broncos, NFL Network reported.

The Broncos would receive an undisclosed 2019 draft choice from Minnesota. Denver would send a 2018 late-round pick along with Siemian to the Vikings. The trade would give Minnesota a backup quarterback behind Kirk Cousins, who is expected to sign a three-year, $84 million deal.

--The Jacksonville Jaguars added a big-ticket item to their offense, giving 24-year-old wide receiver Donte Moncrief up to $38 million as part of a four-year contract, with the NFL Network reporting $18 million is guaranteed.

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Moncrief was a third-round pick by the Indianapolis Colts in 2014 out of Ole Miss. After 96 catches and nine touchdowns in the first two seasons, his production dropped significantly due to injuries and the unavailability of quarterback Andrew Luck. Moncrief made 30 catches in nine games in 2016, then 26 receptions for 391 yards in 12 games last season.

--Running back Carlos Hyde agreed to a three-year deal with the Browns worth $15 million, NFL Network reported.

Hyde, who attended Ohio State, led the San Francisco 49ers in rushing each of the past three seasons. The 27-year-old played in all 16 games last season for the first time in his career and caught 59 passes playing in his third offensive system as a pro.

--Linebacker Nigel Bradham re-signed with the Philadelphia Eagles on a five-year, $40 million contract.

Bradham had 88 tackles for the Eagles in 2017, stepping into a starting role after Jordan Hicks was injured.

--Former first-round pick D.J. Hayden agreed to a three-year deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars. According to multiple reports, the contract is worth $19 million.

The Jaguars had a hole in the secondary created when unrestricted free agent nickel cornerback Aaron Colvin agreed to a four-year deal with the Houston Texans on Tuesday.

--The Titans re-signed guard Josh Kline, the team announced. The deal is for four years and $26 million, according to ESPN.

Kline, picked up off waivers by Tennessee in 2016, can play both guard positions but has been the starter on the right side for the Titans.

--Free agent defensive tackle Beau Allen will sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to reports. Terms were not available.

Allen, a key backup for the Eagles, became expendable when the team reached a deal with Haloti Ngata on Tuesday.

--The Lions announced that they have reached a deal to re-sign Nick Bellore. Terms of the deal were not revealed.

Bellore, 28, played mostly on special teams for the Lions last season. He had 10 starts at linebacker the season before in San Francisco, finishing with 55 tackles.

--Cornerback Patrick Robinson agreed to a four-year contract with the Saints, ESPN reported.

Robinson reportedly will receive $20 million overall, with $10 million guaranteed. It will be the second stint in New Orleans for the 30-year-old, who spent his first five NFL seasons with the team.

--Field Level Media

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