While the owners meetings in Arizona may receive most of the NFL attention this week, free agent signings are still ongoing -- and one of this year’s top offensive linemen reached an agreement with a new team late Sunday.
NFL free agent news: Rams sign Jake Long, Titans cut Matt Hasselbeck
Another day, another flurry of NFL free agent moves, this time led by former No. 1 overall pick Jake Long.
Here’s a look at the latest round of free agent news, which includes a release of a veteran quarterback, who instantly becomes one of the top free-agent QBs available.
Jeff Fisher added a significant piece to St. Louis' offensive line on Monday, finally agreeing to a contract with free-agent offensive tackle, Jake Long. St. Louis hosted Long last week, but the former Miami Dolphin left without signing a contract, leading many to believe he would end up signing elsewhere.
In the end, the Rams signed long to a four-year, $36 million deal. The Rams are certainly taking a risk with Long, as the former No. 1 overall pick has seen his play decline in recent years.
Veteran quarterback Matt Hasselbeck was released by the Tennessee Titans after just two years in Nashville. Hasselbeck was owed a $5.5 million base salary in the final year of his contract, but the Titans simply weren't willing to pay Hasselbeck that type of money to back up Jake Locker.
Hasselbeck instantly becomes the most attractive quarterback on the free-agent market, and will likely have plenty of suitors looking for a backup quarterback.
Rey Maualuga opted to re-sign with the Bengals on Monday, after registering a career-high 122 tackles for the Bengals in 2012. Maualuga spent his first two years as a SAM linebacker for Cincinnati before moving to middle linebacker, though it appears that Maualuga will once again change positions in 2013.
Cincy Jungle: Tracking the Bengals free agents
Cincinnati selected Maualuga in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft, and the former Southern California linebacker has rewarded the Bengals with 348 tackles over his first four NFL seasons.
Former New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns tight end Ben Watson signed a three-year contract with the New Orleans Saints, and will provide quality depth at tight end for the Saints.
Watson certainly won't start in New Orleans, as Jimmy Graham is one of the best tight ends in the league. Watson provides the Saints with a legitimate pass-catching tight end, and could be useful in two tight end sets.
Drafted out of the University of Georgia, Watson spent his first six years with the Patriots before signing with the Browns in 2010. Watson caught 49 passes for 501 yards and three touchdowns in 2012.
Matt Spaeth signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday, after spending two seasons with the Chicago Bears. Pittsburgh drafted Spaeth in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft, but Spaeth opted to sign with Chicago as a free agent, but was released by the Bears after Chicago signed Martellus Bennett last week.
Behind The Steel Curtain: Steelers wanted Jake Long?
A blocking tight end, Spaeth won't be much of a target for Ben Roethlisberger in 2013, but should provide at least adequate protection blocking.
More from SB Nation:
See More:
