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Those who occupy the front offices in the NFL are proving to be just as bored as we are during this time of national crisis, leading to the wildest free agency period I can ever remember.
It’s been fun to follow along with the wackiness. And while some of the better-known Iowa players like George Kittle and Micah Hyde and Desmond King are solidified with their current teams for the time being, this year’s free agency is still affecting some of your Iowa Hawkeyes.
For Starters, Brandon Scherff was given a franchise tag by the Washington Redskins, making him just the second interior offensive lineman to ever earn the designation since its been around.
The tag is reportedly for five years, and valued around $70 million. Scherff’s tagging was one of five stories to populate ESPN’s ticker all day Saturday.
Washington Redskins announced they placed the exclusive franchise tag on guard Brandon Scherff.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 14, 2020
After Scherff, we’ve got Brian Bulaga, who after spending 10 years in the unforgiving winters of Green Bay, will get sunshine in LA, signing a three-year deal with the Chargers. The deal is reportedly worth $30 million.
Packer Nation, say it one last time☝ pic.twitter.com/731IetPFVe
— IKE Packers (@IKE_Packers) March 17, 2020
As one Hawk leaves Green Bay, another moves in as Christian Kirksey signed a two year deal with the Packers after spending his first five years in the League with the Browns. Kirksey has been injured much of the past two years, and got a relatively team-friendly deal worth $13 million, with just a third of that guaranteed.
“I heard it was called Titletown so let’s go win us a championship.”
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) March 17, 2020
— New LB @Kirko58 (via @packers)pic.twitter.com/krvdbEAILK
With all these players shuffling around, we have to mention one moving out: legendary offensive lineman Marshal Yanda announced his retirement last week, capping off an epic 13-year NFL career spent entirely with the Ravens.
Ravens right-time Pro Bowl guard Marshal Yanda will announce his retirement on this week, per @jamisonhensley. A third-round pick in 2007, Yanda is one of three guards in NFL history to earn at least eight Pro Bowls and win a Super Bowl. Others are Larry Allen and Alan Faneca.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 10, 2020
Marshal Yanda’s career résumé:
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 10, 2020
▪️13 seasons, 166 games started
▪️8x Pro Bowl
▪️2x first-team All Pro, 5x second-team All Pro
▪️Played snaps at LG, RG, LT, RT
▪️He had just 4 holding penalties in his last 94 games(!)
Respected, tough, physical. A Hall of Fame player.
The Athletic has a pretty great tribute to Yanda that’s worth your time.