It looks like Mike Glennon has a starting job in the NFL. Robert Griffin III no longer has any job.
The Bears finalized their deal with Glennon, the former Tampa Bay quarterback, on Friday, one day after cutting Jay Cutler. Glennon wasn’t about to beat out Jameis Winston with the Buccaneers, and he got a three-year contract in Chicago.
“I haven’t played in two-plus years, but I was playing when I was 23, 24,” Glennon said. “I’m 27 now and I feel like I’m a much better player.
“I’ve grown physically, I’ve grown mentally. I’m more confident in my abilities.”
RG3 spent one injury-filled year with the Browns, who released him less than 24 hours after trading for Houston QB Brock Osweiler. Not that Osweiler is certain to be staying in Cleveland, which has stockpiled draft picks for the next two years and could be bargaining for the likes of New England backup Jimmy Garoppolo.
Griffin thanked Browns fans on Twitter, posting a photo of him holding his jersey. “Thank you, #DawgPound,” Griffin wrote. “All love. #TheWorkContinues. #I’mHungry.”
Meanwhile, the highest-profile quarterback who soon figures to become available, Dallas’ Tony Romo, was still a Cowboy.
Julius Peppers is a Panther once again. Carolina’s career sacks leader and No. 5 on the NFL chart left Green Bay to return to the team that drafted him second overall in 2002. The 37-year-old Peppers has 143½ sacks during 15 NFL seasons. He played eight of those seasons for the Panthers (2002-2009) and was a two-time All-Pro.
Carolina then dealt DE Kony Ealy to New England, which also signed cornerback Stephon Gilmore. The Panthers kept busy as they signed three other free agents: wide receivers Russell Shepard from Tampa Bay and Charles Johnson from Minnesota and safety Mike Adams from Indianapolis.
The Patriots lost cornerback Logan Ryan to Tennessee, and TE Martellus Bennett, who went to Green Bay. He was a solid sidekick to star tight end Rob Gronkowski last season, but when the Patriots traded for Dwayne Allen this week, it was clear Bennett was heading elsewhere.
College quarterback turned NFL receiver Terrelle Pryor left Cleveland for Washington for a one-year contract worth up to $8 million. The Redskins lost their two top receivers on Thursday in free agency, Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson.
Veteran linebacker Lawrence Timmons of the Steelers joined the Dolphins for $12 million over two years.