The NFL free-agent tampering period is officially underway, meaning teams and players can begin discussing contracts, even agreeing to them, before signings can become official on Wednesday.
The Las Vegas Raiders expect to be one of the more active teams in free agency as they look to improve their roster, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.
Raiders general manager Mike Mayock and head coach Jon Gruden have made it very clear that linebacker is a position of need, and they will likely bring in multiple through free agency.
It seems that has already begun as Ian Rapoport of NFL Network is reporting that the Raiders have agreed to a contract with former Chicago Bears linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski:
The #Raiders have signed former #Bears LB Nick Kwiatkoski, source said… as tweeted.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2020
According to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, it will be a three-year contract:
LB Nick Kwiatkoski deal to the #Raiders: Three years, $21 million with $13.5 million in guarantees. More available in incentives.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 16, 2020
Kwiatkoski is a former fourth-round pick of the Bears in 2016 out of West Virginia. He took to social media to essentially confirm his signing with Las Vegas with a picture of their new Allegiant Stadium:
— Nick Kwiatkoski (@nkwiatkoski27) March 16, 2020
In 57 career games, Kwiatkoski has 184 total tackles, six sacks and four forced fumbles. He got a chance to start the last eight games in 2019 and made the most of it. In 15 games total, he recorded a career-high 76 tackles, three sacks and a forced fumble.
He is certainly a good start to improve the Raiders’ defense, but definitely will not be the only free-agent signing in the coming days.
The Raiders have already been linked to some of the best free agents on the board like Cory Littleton, Byron Jones, Chris Harris Jr. and Damarious Randall.