Bengals bolster defense, add Sheldon Rankins and Vonn Bell
The Cincinnati Bengals have bolstered their defense by agreeing on contracts with defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins and safety Vonn Bell, two people familiar with the terms told the Associated Press on Thursday. Both people spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deals haven’t been finalized. Rankins gets...
NFL reviewing whether Eagles and Falcons violated tampering policies
The NFL is reviewing whether the Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles violated tampering policies during the legal tampering window, a league spokesman said Thursday. The Falcons agreed to a contract with four-time Pro Bowl quarterback Kirk Cousins shortly after teams were permitted to start negotiating with unrestricted free agents Monday....
NFL considers rule changes that include challenges for penalties
The Indianapolis Colts are proposing a rule change that would allow coaches to challenge any penalty call for the first time. The NFL released a list of several rule change proposals Wednesday made by teams that included an option to run a fourth-and-20 play in lieu of an onside kick,...
Kirk Cousins looks to build his postseason legacy with the FalconsVideo
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Kirk Cousins has a single playoff victory in his long career. Even so, the Atlanta Falcons are betting at least $100 million that he is the quarterback who can lead this star-crossed franchise to its first Super Bowl championship. Cousins was introduced Wednesday evening by the...
NFL teams scramble to catch Chiefs as free agency begins
Calvin Ridley is heading to the Tennessee Titans, the highlight of the official start of free agency Wednesday when teams began reshaping their rosters in a quest to unseat the two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs. Ridley — who had been expected to re-sign with the Jaguars — and the...
Former Pitt, Central Valley star Jordan Whitehead returning to Bucs on 2-year deal
TAMPA, Fla. — Safety Jordan Whitehead and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers agreed on a two-year, $9 million contract worth up to $10.5 million, a person familiar with the deal told the Associated Press on Wednesday. Whitehead, 27, returns to Tampa Bay after spending the past two seasons with the New...
Reports: WR Calvin Ridley agrees to 4-year, $92M deal with Titans
Wide receiver Calvin Ridley and the Tennessee Titans have agreed on a four-year, $92 million contract, a person with knowledge of the terms told The Associated Press on Wednesday. The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal hasn’t been finalized, said Ridley gets $50 million guaranteed. He...
Chiefs restructure Patrick Mahomes’ contract for salary cap relief, AP source saysVideo
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs have restructured quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ contract, a person familiar with the decision told the Associated Press on Wednesday, giving the Super Bowl champions some much-needed salary cap space. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the financial details...
Texans agree on $49M deal with star pass rusher Danielle Hunter
The Houston Texans agreed with four-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Danielle Hunter on a $49 million, two-year contract, a person with knowledge of the deal told the Associated Press. The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the contract can’t become official until the new league year begins Wednesday,...
Browns are adding Jameis Winston to back up Deshaun Watson, AP source saysVideo
Deshaun Watson has a new backup in Cleveland. The Browns agreed Tuesday to a one-year deal with Jameis Winston that’s worth up to $8.7 million, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told the Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the move can’t...
Bengals agree to trade Joe Mixon to Texans
The Houston Texans are acquiring running back Joe Mixon from the Cincinnati Bengals, a person familiar with the deal told the Associated Press on Tuesday. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the trade hasn’t been finalized. Mixon will replace Devin Singletary, who has agreed to...
Ravens agree to 2-year deal with free agent RB Derrick Henry, AP source saysVideo
The Baltimore Ravens agreed to a two-year contract with free agent running back Derrick Henry on Tuesday, according to a person with knowledge of the deal. The person spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the move can’t become official until the new league year begins Wednesday....
Bengals agree to deals with Zack Moss, Geno Stone, will release Joe Mixon
The Cincinnati Bengals have agreed on two-year deals with running back Zack Moss and safety Geno Stone, two people familiar with the contracts told The Associated Press on Monday. The team also is releasing Joe Mixon, another person with knowledge of the team’s plans told the AP. The three people...
Browns agree to re-sign defensive linemen Za’Darius Smith and Maurice Hurst, AP sources sayVideo
CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Browns agreed to re-sign defensive end Za’Darius Smith and defensive tackle Maurice Hurst, a person familiar with the contracts told the Associated Press on Monday. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the free agents have yet to sign the deals to...
Colts agree to 3-year, $70M deal with Michael Pittman Jr., AP source says
INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard did everything he could to keep receiver Michael Pittman Jr. off this year’s free agent market. On Monday, he completed the job. Two weeks after promising Pittman would be in Indy next season — one way or the other — the sides...
Saquon Barkley signs with Eagles, who also add Bryce Huff
PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Eagles agreed to contracts with former New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley and former New York Jets defensive end Bryce Huff, two people familiar with the deals told the Associated Press on Monday. Barkley is set to sign a three-year deal for $26 million guaranteed...
Russell Wilson to Steelers: What they’re saying in Denver
The Russell Wilson era in Pittsburgh is officially expected to begin this week with an anticipated signing between the quarterback and the Steelers. Wilson has indicated that he plans to sign with the Steelers once the NFL calendar year begins on Wednesday. But what about the city he left behind?...
Kirk Cousins agrees to 4-year contract with Falcons
Kirk Cousins is leaving Minnesota for Atlanta, landing another big contract with a well-timed foray into free agency. Cousins agreed Monday to a four-year deal with the Falcons, his agent Mike McCartney announced on social media. Atlanta had a glaring need at quarterback after cycling through Tyler Heinicke and Desmond...
Baker Mayfield staying with Bucs after agreeing to 3-year deal worth up to $115 million
TAMPA, Fla. — Baker Mayfield is staying with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after agreeing to a three-year contract worth up to $115 million, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Sunday. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the agreement, which includes...
Chiefs, DT Chris Jones agree to 5-year deal with $95M guaranteed
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs and star Chris Jones have agreed to the framework of a five-year contract that includes $95 million guaranteed and keeps the All-Pro defensive tackle off the upcoming free-agent market, a person familiar with the deal told the Associated Press...
Patriots agree to trade Mac Jones to Jaguars for 6th-round pick
Booed and benched the past two years in New England, quarterback Mac Jones is headed home to become a backup. The Patriots and new coach Jerod Mayo agreed Sunday to trade Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a sixth-round pick in next month’s NFL Draft, according to a person with...
Eagles 6-time Pro Bowl DT Fletcher Cox retires after 12 seasons
PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia Eagles six-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Fletcher Cox announced his retirement Sunday. Cox, a first-round pick in 2012, played all 12 of his seasons in Philadelphia and holds the franchise record for sacks (70) by a defensive tackle, trailing only Reggie White, Trent Cole, Clyde Simmons and...
Fans at frigid Chiefs playoff game underwent amputations, hospital confirms
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Some of the people who attended the near-record cold Kansas City Chiefs playoff game in January had to undergo amputations after suffering frostbite, a Missouri hospital said Friday. Research Medical Center didn’t provide exact numbers but said in a statement that it treated dozens of people...
Broncos sending WR Jerry Jeudy to Browns for 2 draft picks
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos agreed to send wide receiver and former first-round pick Jerry Jeudy to the Cleveland Browns for a pair of 2024 draft picks, two people with knowledge of the trade told the Associated Press on Saturday. The people, who spoke to the AP on condition...
Flurry of veteran salary dumps floods NFL free agency with a surplus of safetiesVideo
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Justin Simmons’ release isn’t just collateral damage from the Russell Wilson debacle in Denver but the latest sign of a shifting of priorities in the NFL that has resulted in a surplus of safeties flooding the free agent market. Like inside linebackers and running backs before them,...