Every season, NFL free agency has a similar path. We see a flurry of signings early, but a handful of players take their time. Sony Michel had a bit of a career renaissance with the Rams in 2021. What are the latest rumors as to where Michel might play in 2022?
Rumors for Sony Michel in 2022 NFL free agency
Michel had a rough start to his career in New England. After the team drafted Damien Harris in 2020, the writing was on the wall for his departure from New England. Ahead of the 2021 season, the Patriots traded Michel to the Rams for a sixth-round pick and a fourth-round pick.
Initially, Michel merely backed up Darrell Henderson Jr. By the second half of the season, he had become the Rams’ feature back. Michel played well enough to earn at least a complementary role in 2022. Who might sign him?
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This is entirely contingent upon the Bucs not bringing back Leonard Fournette. If they don’t, Michel would be a nice fit with the Bucs. The Bucs likely are focusing on re-signing Fournette, but if he decides to go somewhere else, they can’t go into the season with just Ke’Shawn Vaughn.
If the Bucs get the Michel we saw in 2021, they have an all-purpose back. He’s not the best pass catcher, but he’s certainly competent — better than Vaughn. A backfield of Vaughn and Michel is something Tom Brady can work with. Speaking of Brady, there is the connection between him and Michel from their time in New England.
Michel is 27 years old now and still has three or four useful years left. With that said, I don’t see him getting a long-term deal.
The Bucs have about $12 million in salary cap space. A one-year deal in the range of $4-6 million seems reasonable.
Houston Texans
The Texans are a team that’s clearly in the midst of a rebuild. They have no reason to give any running back a lengthy contract. What they can do is afford to pay Michel for one season.
Houston’s backfield currently consists of a bunch of journeymen veterans. They’ve got Rex Burkhead, Dare Ogunbowale, and Royce Freeman. Last season, they also had David Johnson and Phillip Lindsay. This team needs a true RB1, but if last season was any indication, they’re fine just putting together a medley of replacement-level talents.
The Texans have $13 million in salary cap space. They could give Michel a little bit more than the rest of his potential suitors. If Michel goes to the Texans, $5-7 million for one year is about right.
Los Angeles Chargers
Now for a landing spot that makes all the sense in the world. The Los Angeles Chargers fed Austin Ekeler a career-high (by far) 276 touches in 2021. I can’t imagine they want to do that again.
For years, Ekeler and Melvin Gordon formed quite the formidable duo. Michel is a solid Gordon replica. He can be the bruiser back while Ekeler moves back into more of a pass-catching role.
The Chargers aren’t necessarily looking to marginalize Ekeler. But they don’t want to overwork him. After all, he is a player with a pretty lengthy injury history.
If Michel signs with the Chargers, he may be able to get a two-year deal. They have the third-most cap space remaining. A two-year deal with perhaps a voidable second year would work well for both sides. Something in the range of $6-8 million is a reasonable projection.