Blake Martinez

The Steelers are signing LB Blake Martinez off the Panthers’ practice squad and on to their 53-man roster.

Fantasy Impact

Carolina signed Martinez earlier in November and he will now add some depth to the linebacker room for Pittsburgh. Martinez started four games for the Raiders last season.

Raiders' linebacker Blake Martinez is retiring after seven seasons in the NFL.

Fantasy Impact

This news is a bit of a surprise, as Martinez is coming off his best game as a Raider. Last Sunday, Martinez recorded eight solo tackles and three assists. His retirement won't likely affect the Raiders D/ST from a fantasy perspective, as he just joined the team in October after his release from the Giants just before the season.

The New York Giants released LB Blake Martinez Thursday.

Fantasy Impact

Martinez was in the last year of a three-year $30.75 million dollar contract. Martinez was limited to just three games in 2021 after suffering a torn ACL. He will now look to join a team in need of LB help before the start of the season.

Blake Martinez and the Giants have agreed to a restructured contract and he will return for his third season in New York.

Fantasy Impact

The restructure is expected to save about $6 million in cap space. The 28-year-old is coming off a season cut short by an ACL injury, but he has 174 tackles for the Giants in two years.

The Giants and talented linebacker Blake Martinez have discussed a reworked contract ahead of the upcoming free agency period, according to a report from Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.

Fantasy Impact

The Giants want to retain Martinez. However, he's coming off a torn ACL, is owed $8.525 million this coming season, and will carry a $14.025 million cap figure. All three of these factors have motivated the sides' interest in a reworked deal. Yet, if they can't come to terms, New York might feel obligated to release Martinez. Doing so would create $8.525 million in cap space while incurring $5.5 million in dead money. Expect the Giants to push for a resolution by the start of free agency next week. Whether this closure will come in the form of a reworked deal or a release remains to be seen.