With NFL free agency right around the corner and the 2022 NFL Combine not too far away, here are the latest news and rumors around the league from PFN National NFL Insider Aaron Wilson. Make sure to continue to check back here as we update you with the most recent NFL news and rumors on February 28, 2022.
NFL News and Rumors: Jaguars ink Tyler Shatley to two-year, $6.8 million deal
The Jacksonville Jaguars have struck a two-year deal with veteran offensive lineman Tyler Shatley, 30, with a maximum value of $6.8 million that includes $2.35 million guaranteed, according to a league source.
Shatley (6-foot-3, 310 pounds) has started 33 career games and 18 games over the past two years. He has played in 111 career games since joining the Jaguars in 2014. Shatley started eight games at center last season and played 533 snaps, 49% of the total offensive snaps.
The Jaguars later announced the deal. Shatley made the team as an undrafted rookie. Two seasons ago, he helped running back James Robinson rush for 1,070 yards for the second-most rushing yards by an undrafted rookie in NFL history. He had 1,414 total yards from scrimmage for the highest for an undrafted rookie ever.
Shatley is a former Clemson fullback, defensive lineman, and offensive lineman who punted in high school in North Carolina.
Raiders cut Jeremiah Poutasi
The Las Vegas Raiders cut offensive guard Jeremiah Poutasi as they officially signed defensive tackle Andrew Billings.
Poutasi signed a reserve-future deal after the Raiders’ playoff loss. He joined the team before the hires of head coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler.
Poutasi, 27, is a former Tennessee Titans third-round draft pick. He has also played for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Rams, Denver Broncos, and Arizona Cardinals. Poutasi has played in 12 career games since entering the league in 2015.
NFL News and Rumors: Hall of Fame game set between Raiders, Jaguars
Josh McDaniels’ first game as the Las Vegas Raiders’ new head coach will be where he played his high school football games for his father, legendary Ohio coach Thom McDaniels.
The former Canton McKinley quarterback played his home games at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium when the facility was known as Fawcett Stadium.
The Raiders will face the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2022 Hall of Fame Game on August 4 during the Hall of Fame enshrinement weekend. The game marks the fourth appearance by the Raiders and the second for the Jaguars.
The Hall of Fame weekend will include the inductions of Cliff Branch, Richard Seymour, Tony Boselli, LeRoy Butler, Art McNally, Sam Mills, Dick Vermeil, and Bryant Young on August 6.
Sources say 49ers hiring defensive assistant Nick Sorensen
The San Francisco 49ers are hiring former Jacksonville Jaguars special teams coordinator Nick Sorensen as a defensive assistant, according to league sources not authorized to speak publicly.
A former Miami Dolphins safety who went undrafted out of Virginia Tech, Sorensen also played for the Rams, Browns, and Jaguars and was a special teams captain in Jacksonville. Sorensen, 43, replaced Brian Schneider last season as the Jaguars’ special teams coordinator when Schneider stepped away for personal reasons.
With the Seattle Seahawks, the Virginia native was a special teams assistant and assistant secondary coach.
Sorensen recorded 117 tackles, 10 for losses, 4 sacks, and an interception in his final two seasons at Virginia Tech as a safety and linebacker. As a quarterback before moving to defense, he passed for 446 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions.
NFL News and Rumors: NFL announces five International Series home teams
The NFL is going to play five international games in 2022, the league announced. That includes the traditional, annual London game for the Jacksonville Jaguars against a to-be-determined opponent. The Jaguars aren’t alone in hosting a game in a foreign country.
The Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints will also host games in London. Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are set to have a game in Munich, Germany. The Arizona Cardinals will host a game in Mexico City.
The Jaguars always have one of their home games in London. The other teams are from the NFC, which has nine home games and eight road games this season under the second year of the 17-game schedule.
The Packers and Saints’ games are at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The Jaguars will be at Wembley Stadium. The Buccaneers’ game is at FC Bayern Munich Stadium. Additionally, the Cardinals will play at Estadio Azteca. The dates and road teams will be announced later.
Stay up to date with the latest in NFL free agency
As the league transitions into free agency, there will be plenty of news and rumors from around the NFL regarding your favorite team. That includes chatter about players who will be on the move (or not) in free agency. Stay updated and keep track of Pro Football Network’s Top 50 Free Agent Rankings to better understand the free agent market.