This week the period for NFL teams to use their franchise tag opened. The deadline to apply to tag isn’t until March 1, so teams will have plenty of time to decide what they want to do. While we wait, more veterans were released this week and a couple retirements occurred. Two of these retirements are discussed below and, as always, the rest of the transactions are down below with some of the more significant ones highlighted in red.
CB Rashean Mathis retires
After 13 seasons in the NFL, Mathis, 35, announced his retirement.
He spent the first 10 years of his career in Jacksonville after they selected him in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft.
He made an instant impact on the Jaguars, starting every game as a rookie. In all, he started 129 games for Jacksonville and was a full-time starter for the first nine seasons.
For the final three years of his career, he played in Detroit where he started another 36 games. He only played in seven games this season due to a concussion that caused him to miss the end of the season.
A consistent cornerback, he recorded an interception in all but two seasons and totaled 32 in his career. From 2004-2006, he intercepted 18 passes.
It is rare to see a cornerback play at the high level for as long as Mathis did. Despite this performance, he earned only one Pro Bowl berth and one All-Pro nomination (both in 2006).
He retires as the Jaguars all-time leader in interceptions (30), interception yards (512), passes defensed (104) and third in tackles (459). No other Jacksonville player is anywhere close to his all-time records.
It is safe to say that Mathis never received the credit he deserved during his excellent career.
DE Jared Allen retires
The biggest retirement of the week comes from Allen, 33, who is ending his career after 12 seasons.
He almost finished his NFL career as a Super Bowl champion, but Carolina, who acquired him in a mid-season trade, lost to Denver. In the Super Bowl, he recorded one tackle. He missed the NFC Championship Game due to a broken foot suffered in the Divisional Round.
One of the most prolific pass rushers in recent history, he spent his career with four teams. He played four years in Kansas City, six in Minnesota, one in Chicago and split his final season between Chicago (three games) and Carolina (12 games).
The Chiefs selected him in the fourth round out of Idaho State in 2004, and he instantly rewarded them with nine sacks as a rookie. In four years, he totaled 43 sacks.
After four seasons, the Chiefs placed the franchise tag on Allen and then traded him to Minnesota.
Allen took his game to the next level with the Vikings. His worst statistical season in Minnesota saw him record 11 sacks.
In 2011, he took down opposing quarterbacks 22 times. This is tied for the second most in a single season in NFL history and is only 0.5 sacks away from the single-season record.
He finishes his career as a five-time Pro Bowler and a four-time All-Pro, along with ranking tied for ninth all time in sacks with 136.
Other Moves:
The Arizona Cardinals re-sign S Chris Clemons.
The Atlanta Falcons waive CB Travis Howard.
The Atlanta Falcons waive FB Collin Mooney.
The Carolina Panthers re-sign DE Wes Horton.
The Carolina Panthers re-sign LS J.J. Jansen to a five-year contract.
The Chicago Bears release OT Jermon Bushrod.
The Cleveland Browns cut TE Jim Dray.
The Cleveland Browns cut DL Randy Starks.
The Detroit Lions cut RB Joique Bell.
The Detroit Lions release LB Stephen Tulloch.
The Green Bay Packers re-sign DT Letroy Guion to a three-year contract.
The Jacksonville Jaguars re-sign QB Chad Henne.
The Miami Dolphins cut cut DE Quinton Coples.
The Miami Dolphins cut CB Brice McCain.
New England Patriots LB Jerod Mayo announced his retirement from the NFL.
The New England Patriots release CB Leonard Johnson.
The New York Giants re-sign LS Zak DeOssie.
The New York Jets waive K Kyle Brindza.
The Pittsburgh Steelers re-sign LS Greg Warren.
The Pittsburgh Steelers waive TE Rob Blanchflower.
The Pittsburgh Steelers waive OT Mitchell Van Dyk.
The Pittsburgh Steelers waive OT Kelvin Palmer.
The Tennessee Titans re-sign TE Craig Stevens.
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