The Detroit Lions released tight end Jesse James on Thursday, according to a source. James was two years into a four-year, $22.6 million deal and had just 30 receptions for 271 yards and two scores in his 32 games for the Lions in 2019 and 2020. His contract was one of the worst handed out by ex-general manager Bob Quinn, as James was given top-20

The Chicago Bears Agreed to a five-year, $16 million deal with kicker Cairo Santos on Thursday after his record-breaking season in 2020. The deal has a maximum value of $17.5 million, and the final two years are voidable, so it really breaks down to a three-year, $9 million contract with a maximum value of $11 million. Santos made 30 of his 32 field-goal tries last

Former Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence (shoulder) has been doing very well and is ahead of schedule in his rehab about a month after having surgery on his non-throwing (left) shoulder. The surgery specifically was done to repair a torn labrum, and the rehab is expected to last around five to six months. Lawrence remains in Southern California and continues to rehab with a trainer. Sources

The Buffalo Bills re-signed linebacker Matt Milano to a four-year, $44 million deal on Thursday, according to a source. The deal includes $24 million guaranteed. Milano was willing to forego free agency for another shot at a Super Bowl run with the up-and-coming Bills. Many people expected Milano to depart in free agency for a substantial contract, but he chose to stay in Buffalo. Only

Carolina Panthers offensive tackle Taylor Moton already signed his franchise tender, according to the league’s transaction wire. It means that Moton will make between $13.5 and $14 million for the 2021 season on the tag. Carolina made the move mostly because there just aren’t many high-level tackles slated to become free agents when the new league year begins next week on March 17. The 26-year-old

Atlanta Falcons impending free-agent starting safety Damontae Kazee (Achilles) is not expected to re-sign with the team this offseason, according to a source. The three-year starter tore his Achilles during the 2020 season, but he recently received clearance from Dr. Robert Anderson and will be cleared by training camp. The 27-year-old former fifth-rounder in 2017 played in just four games last season before going down

Former Baltimore Ravens running back Mark Ingram II reached an agreement on a one-year deal worth up to $3 million with the Houston Texans on Thursday, according to a source. Ingram, 31, was released by the Ravens after he failed to play in five of the team’s final six games in 2020. He was a healthy scratch during the postseason behind J.K. Dobbins and Gus

Houston Texans new head coach David Culley continued to say on Thursday that quarterback Deshaun Watson, who has publicly demanded a trade, “is our starting quarterback as of right now.” Culley expanded on his comments and said that “hopefully in the future” Watson will also remain as the team’s starting QB. The new head coach also added that the team is “very committed to Deshaun

The Detroit Lions plan to release cornerback Justin Coleman in the coming days, according to a source. Coleman, who is one of the highest-paid slot corners in the NFL at $9 million annually, will head back to the open market. The soon-to-be 28-year-old didn’t really live up to his high price in his two seasons with the Lions, recording 69 solo tackles (three for loss),

Sources have indicated that Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr.’s camp has had ongoing trade conversations with six teams. Brown has demanded a trade this offseason because he’s come to the realization that an extended stay in Baltimore would mean being stuck at right tackle, and his goal is to play left tackle in the NFL. He’s slated to make $3.384 million in the

The Atlanta Falcons signed defensive tackle Jacob Tuioti-Mariner to an undisclosed one-year contract extension on Thursday. The 24-year-old played in all 16 games last season and finished with 31 tackles (24 solo), five QB hits, three fumble recoveries and one sack for the Falcons. Among the team’s other moves made this week, they released veteran offensive guard James Carpenter and passed on placing the franchise

North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance, who is expected to be selected in the first round of the upcoming NFL draft, will not run or do agility drills at his school’s Pro Day this Friday. Teams have told Lance’s camp that they’re more interested in seeing him throw. Lance won the starting job as a redshirt freshman in 2019 and threw for 2,786 yards, 28

Tampa Bay Buccaneers impending free-agent tight end Rob Gronkowski said that he plans to play for another season. “I’m back, man!” Gronkowski said. “I will be back playing football, man. I love the game of football. I loved playing last year. I had a great time.” The future Hall of Famer had 45 catches for 623 yards and seven touchdowns in 16 regular season games

Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule and general manager Scott Fitterer both don’t plan on being big spenders when free agency kicks off next week. “We’re not just one player away,” Rhule said. “We’re in a situation where we have to keep building our team. Like I said earlier with the cap situation, we have to be really targeted.” Fitterer thinks that bargains could be

The Philadelphia Eagles restructured defensive tackle Javon Hargrave’s deal on Thursday to free up $9.408 million in salary cap space. With the move, the Eagles are down to around $18 million in salary cap debt ahead of the new league year. Hargrave signed a three-year, $39 million deal last year in free agency, and the 28-year-old is expected to be a long-term piece for the

The Houston Texans restructured wide receiver Brandin Cooks‘ deal to create $6.53 million in salary cap space on Thursday. Cooks was previously scheduled for a $12 million salary cap hit, but the restructure likely converts most of his 2021 base salary into a signing bonus. The 27-year-old pass-catcher rebounded from a disappointing season in his last year with the Rams in 2019 to record his

The Kansas City Chiefs are releasing left tackle Eric Fisher and right tackle Mitchell Schwartz on Thursday. Fisher was the No. 1 overall pick in 2013 and spent his entire career with the Chiefs, starting 113 games and earning two Pro Bowl nods, including last season. But he suffered an Achilles injury in the AFC Championship game and was unable to play in the Super

The New Orleans Saints released cornerback Janoris Jenkins on Thursday, according to a source informed of the situation. Jenkins was due a $1.2 million fully guaranteed roster bonus, but before releasing him, the Saints turned it into a signing bonus and spread it out over two years, saving them an extra $600,000 against the salary cap. The veteran defensive back started 13 games for the

The Dallas Cowboys waived fullback Jamize Olawale, who had opted out of the 2020 season due to concerns surrounding COVID-19, on Wednesday. Olawale spent the first six seasons of his career with the Raiders before playing for Dallas in 2018 and 2019. The 31-year-old was mostly a special teams contributor, as he had just two catches in his two seasons with the Cowboys after having

Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule and general manager Scott Fitterer continue to say that quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is the team’s QB, but Fitterer told reporters on Wednesday that team brass previously met with Bridgewater and divulged that the QB was made available in trade talks with one team. “Teddy is our quarterback… he’s a total pro,” Fitterer said. With the eighth overall pick in