Team doesn’t typically negotiate with free agents until after Combine

By playing the waiting game with Brady of all people, plenty around the league are perplexed over the Patriots’ strategy. As of late Tuesday, there hadn’t been any concrete plans for the Patriots to meet with the Brady camp during the combine, though that could change in an instant. For context, the Patriots rarely begin negotiations with free agents until after the combine. (The Athletic)

Nerdy Football Analysis: By not negotiating with Tom Brady, other teams like the Raiders, Titans and Chargers are kicking the tires on the veteran QB. ESPN reporter Jeff Darlington has stated that he would be “stunned” if Brady remained in New England in 2020.

Atlanta hasn’t ruled out keeping TE

The #Falcons are planning to allow starters TE Austin Hooper and De’Vondre Campbell to test free agency, GM Thomas Dimitroff said today. The likelihood is that both players receive large deals in free agency, but Atlanta hasn’t ruled out keeping them for the right price. (Ian Rapoport on Twitter)

Nerdy Football Analysis: Hooper missed three games due to injury but finished as the third best TE in PPR fantasy points per game setting career highs in receptions (75), yards (787) and touchdowns (6). The prevailing wisdom is that Hooper will land a contract bigger than than the Falcons are willing to match making him a likely candidate to be in a different uniform in 2020.

Saves Washington $8.5 million in cap space

The Washington Redskins cut tight end Jordan Reed on Thursday, parting ways with a talented but oft-injured player.

The move comes as no surprise given Reed’s injury history and that the move saves Washington $8.5 million in cap space. He had been under contract through 2021. (ESPN)

Nerdy Football Analysis: Reed didn’t play a snap in 2019 after suffering a concussion in the preseason. Hampered by injuries most of his career, Reed has been a talented tease for fantasy owners. He still wants to play in the NFL but will likely settle for a one-year deal given his injury history. After the retirement of Vernon Davis, the Redskins are left with Jeremy Sprinkle at tight end.

One year, $5.5 million in guaranteed money.

Former Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen has agreed to terms on a deal with the Seattle Seahawks, the team announced Tuesday.

Terms weren’t released, but a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter the deal is for one year and worth $7 million, with $5.5 million in guaranteed money. (ESPN)

Nerdy Football Analysis: Olsen also took visits with Buffalo and Washington before choosing the Seahawks. It’s a decent landing spot for Olsen’s fantasy value but he’s more of a high-end TE2 than a TE1. Jacob Hollister and Will Dissly (ACL) will begin the season in backup roles.