NFL News

Panthers sign Pro Bowl OLB Jadeveon Clowney

Panthers sign Pro Bowl OLB Jadeveon Clowney

The Carolina Panthers flew under the radar and signed free agent outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney on Wednesday.

The team did not disclose terms but ESPN and NFL Network reported it's a two-year deal worth $20 million and up to $24 million with incentives. Clowney fills a big void for a Panthers club that traded Pro Bowl pass rusher Brian Burns to the New York Giants earlier this month and lost Yetur Gross-Matos in free agency.

The New York Jets and Baltimore Ravens were seen as the favorites to land Clowney, a three-time Pro Bowl pick.

Clowney, 31, racked up 9.5 sacks in 17 games (15 starts) last season for the Ravens. That matched his career high for sacks, accomplished in 2017.

The Panthers will be Clowney's sixth team. He played his first five seasons with the Houston Texans, who selected him No. 1 overall in the 2014 draft.

He has 52.5 career sacks in 126 games (113 starts).

Clowney starred at South Carolina before embarking on his NFL career.

Report: Texans to sign LB Neville Hewitt

Report: Texans to sign LB Neville Hewitt

Free-agent linebacker Neville Hewitt is signing a one-year contract to rejoin the Houston Texans, ESPN reported on Wednesday.

Financial terms were not disclosed for Hewitt, who led the NFL in special teams tackles (14) last season with the Texans.

Hewitt, who turns 31 on April 6, totaled 440 tackles, 7.5 sacks, three interceptions and two forced fumbles in 129 career games (44 starts) with the Miami Dolphins (2015-17), New York Jets (2018-20) and Texans.

He entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2015.

Reports: WR Josh Reynolds gets 2-year deal with Broncos

Reports: WR Josh Reynolds gets 2-year deal with Broncos

Former Detroit Lions wide receiver Josh Reynolds is signing a two-year contract worth up to $14 million with the Denver Broncos, multiple media outlets reported on Wednesday.

Reynolds joins a Broncos team that traded wideout Jerry Jeudy to the Cleveland Browns on March 9 in exchange for fifth- and sixth-round picks (135th and 202nd overall) in the 2024 NFL Draft.

The Denver wide receiver room includes Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims Jr., Tim Patrick, Brandon Johnson, Phillip Dorsett and Lil'Jordan Humphrey.

Reynolds, 29, had 40 catches for 608 yards to go along with a career high-tying five touchdown receptions in 17 games (13 starts) with the Lions last season.

He has 220 catches for 2,933 yards and 19 touchdowns in 107 career games (53 starts) with the Los Angeles Rams (2017-20), Tennessee Titans (2021) and Lions (2021-23).

Report: Jayden Daniels will only throw at LSU's pro day

Report: Jayden Daniels will only throw at LSU's pro day

More than 100 NFL coaches, general managers and other staff members are expected Wednesday at LSU's pro day, but they will have a limited view of one of the day's stars, Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels.

NFL Network reported Daniels, a projected top five pick in next month's NFL draft, will throw only and will not participate in any other drills. He did not throw at the NFL Scouting Combine earlier this month.

Team officials also have been lured to Baton Rouge to see All-American Malik Nabers and fellow wide receiver Brian Thomas, who led the nation with 17 touchdown receptions. Both are expected to be picked in the first round.

Daniels, 23, completed 72.2 percent of his passes for 3,812 yards with 40 touchdowns and four interceptions in 2023. He also rushed for 1,134 yards and 10 scores.

Report: CB Tre'Davious White to sign 1-year deal with Rams

Report: CB Tre'Davious White to sign 1-year deal with Rams

Working his way back from a torn Achilles, former Buffalo Bills All-Pro cornerback Tre'Davious White agreed to a one-year, $8.5 million deal with the Los Angeles Rams on Tuesday, ESPN reported.

Per the report, the deal could reach $10 million with incentives.

White, 29, suffered the injury to his right Achilles in October, limiting him to just four games last season. Over the last three seasons, the two-time Pro Bowl selection has missed 30 games due to various injuries.

The Bills had released White, saving the team $10.2 million in cap space.

White was drafted in the first round in 2017 out of LSU and spent his first seven seasons in Buffalo, highlighted by his 2019 All-Pro season when he tied for the NFL lead with six interceptions.

White had 18 interceptions, 311 tackles, 68 passes defended and five forced fumbles with the Bills.

He tore his left ACL on Thanksgiving in 2021 and returned late in the 2022 season for six regular-season games and two playoff games.

Zac Taylor: Bengals QB Joe Burrow healing well from surgery

Zac Taylor: Bengals QB Joe Burrow healing well from surgery

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is progressing well in his recovery from November wrist surgery, coach Zac Taylor said at league meetings on Tuesday.

"It's positive," Taylor said. "It's right on schedule, and so we're encouraged with everything we thought it was going to be and where he's going to fit into our offseason."

Burrow said in early March that he expects to participate in the Bengals' offseason program this spring.

"I think middle of May is when I am expecting to kind of be cleared for full contact and everything," Burrow told ESPN at the time.

Along with the torn wrist ligament that required surgery, Burrow also dealt with a calf injury suffered during training camp and played a role in the Bengals' tough start.

While Burrow has been busy working toward a return, the Bengals have made some significant changes on the offensive side of the ball. With the trade of Joe Mixon the Houston Texans, Zack Moss is the new starting running back. Cincinnati also brought in Trent Brown to play right tackle, while former quarterbacks coach Dan Pitcher replaced Brian Callahan as the offensive coordinator when Callahan left to coach the Tennessee Titans.

While it appears Tyler Boyd will sign elsewhere, fellow wide receiver Tee Higgins requested a trade at the start of the free agency period rather than sign an extension. However, it seems Taylor and the Bengals aren't planning to move the veteran.

"We're excited for Tee to have a great year for us," Taylor told Pro Football Network this week. "We think he's our best chance to help us win a Super Bowl. I've enjoyed working with Tee the last four years and expect this year to be no different."

In his four seasons, Burrow has completed 68 percent of his passes for 14,083 yards and 97 touchdowns in 52 games. He led Cincinnati to a Super Bowl appearance after the 2021 season, when he led the league with a 70.4 percent completion rate.

In September, Burrow signed a five-year contract extension worth $275 million. The $55 million average annual value is the highest recorded in the NFL.

The Bengals finished last season 9-8, last in the AFC North, and missed the postseason after consecutive runs to at least the conference title game.

Reports: Steelers sign RB/KR Cordarrelle Patterson

Reports: Steelers sign RB/KR Cordarrelle Patterson

The Pittsburgh Steelers signed running back and return specialist Cordarrelle Patterson to a two-year, $6 million contract, NFL Network and ESPN reported Tuesday.

After reinventing himself as a running back for the past three seasons in Atlanta, Patterson will follow former Falcons head coach Arthur Smith to Pittsburgh, where the latter is now the offensive coordinator.

Patterson entered the league as a wide receiver and a first-round draft pick of the Minnesota Vikings in 2013. He was a four-time Pro Bowler, a four-time first-team All-Pro selection and a two-time second-team All-Pro as a returner over the first eight years of his career with Minnesota (2013-16), Oakland (2017), New England (2018) and Chicago (2019-20).

Patterson, 33, has returned nine kicks for touchdowns in his career, though just one in his past three seasons. He led the league in kick return yardage in 2019 (825) and 2020 (1,017).

He started 13 games at running back for Atlanta in 2021, appearing in 16 games total, and had a career-high 1,166 yards from scrimmage (618 rushing, 548 receiving). In three seasons with the Falcons, Patterson tallied 1,494 rushing yards, 708 receiving yards and 20 total touchdowns.

Brian Daboll may start calling Giants' plays in 2024

Brian Daboll may start calling Giants' plays in 2024

Head coach Brian Daboll said he is "looking into" calling the New York Giants' offensive plays next season.

Offensive coordinator Mike Kafka handled those duties during Daboll's first two seasons with the team.

Speaking at the NFL owners meeting Tuesday in Orlando, Fla., Daboll, 48, said it might be time for a change.

"I think there's 20 head coaches at this point in time that call plays in the league (either offensively or defensively). ... There might be a little bit more," he said. "I've been doing a bunch of research, but no decision has been made. I'm still going through that process, thinking about what we need to do."

Before taking over the Giants in 2022, Daboll called the plays as the Buffalo Bills' offensive coordinator for four seasons from 2018-21.

Daboll, who has also been an offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs (2012), Miami Dolphins (2011) and Cleveland Browns (2009-10), admitted he misses calling the plays.

"Certainly," he said. "I did it for a long time. There's a lot of things that go into it. Part of the evaluation that I talked about, there are some other things that I'm looking into. I take my time and do what I think is best for the team."

Daboll doesn't appear to be motivated by a dissatisfaction with Kafka, who was rewarded with the additional title of assistant head coach last month.

The Giants were 9-7-1 in 2022 but slumped to 6-11 during a 2023 season derailed by starting quarterback Daniel Jones' torn ACL. The New York offense finished 29th in the NFL in scoring with just 15.6 points per game.

Saints OT Ryan Ramczyk's knee slow in recovery from surgery

Saints OT Ryan Ramczyk's knee slow in recovery from surgery

The right knee of New Orleans Saints right tackle Ryan Ramczyk has not responded as well as hoped following offseason surgery, coach Dennis Allen said Tuesday.

Ramczyk, 29, could miss the 2024 season in his recovery from cartilage damage, NFL Network reported Tuesday, but Allen was being a bit more conservative in his assessment in taking a wait-and-see approach in the offseason and into training camp.

"He just isn't quite where I was probably hoping he'd be, and really quite frankly, where he was hoping he'd be," Allen told reporters at the NFL's annual league meeting in Orlando, Fla. "But ... there's a long time before we kick the ball off, so I wouldn't jump to any conclusions right now, but we'll see how it goes over the next three, four, five, six months, whatever that is, before we get to the beginning of the season."

Allen said he felt better about Ramczyk's medical situation at the time of the procedure than he did Tuesday. For his part, Ramczyk said in December that he was uncertain about his future and would consult with medical professionals and make the best decision.

He described the damage to the knee then as a "nagging problem," saying there wasn't much cartilage remaining.

"This year it's bugged me a little bit more than it has in the past," he said at the time. "At some point, I just couldn't play anymore."

Ramczyk played in 12 games (all starts) in 2023. He played in at least 15 regular-season games in five of his first six seasons, all with the Saints, who selected him in the first round (32nd overall) in the 2017 NFL Draft out of Wisconsin.

He was first-team All-Pro in 2019 and second team in 2018 and 2020.

Ramczyk signed a five-year, $96 million contract extension in June 2021 but had no guaranteed money remaining on it. He and the team renegotiated a deal that gives him $6.5 million in guaranteed money this season between base salary and bonuses. providing the team salary cap relief.

NFL grants Amazon, Peacock rights to two marquee games

NFL grants Amazon, Peacock rights to two marquee games

Two more NFL games will be distributed exclusively via a streaming service in the 2024 season.

The league announced Tuesday that Peacock will have the rights to stream the Week 1 game from Sao Paulo, Brazil, which will be the first NFL contest in South America. The Philadelphia Eagles already are booked for that game against an opponent still to be announced.

Amazon Prime Video has been granted an NFL wild-card game, which will represent the second time a playoff game has been streamed exclusively. Last season, Peacock streamed the Kansas City Chiefs' 26-7 AFC wild-card win over the Miami Dolphins, memorable as the fourth-coldest game in league history.

Amazon Prime already has the rights to the league's Thursday night package.

"As media consumption habits evolve, the NFL continues to work with our partners to put our games on digital platforms where our fans are increasingly spending their time," Hans Schroeder, NFL executive vice president of media distribution, said in a news release. "The viewership success of both Thursday Night Football on Prime Video and the historic Wild Card game on Peacock last season are strong indicators our streaming distribution is resonating with our fans."

Both the Week 1 Brazil game on Peacock and the wild-card game on Prime Video will be available for free on broadcast television in the local markets of the competing teams as well as on the NFL+ mobile app.

The wild-card game between the Chiefs and Dolphins on Peacock averaged approximately 23 million viewers, which the NFL said set a record for the most-streamed live event in U.S. history.

Report: Packers signing K Greg Joseph

Report: Packers signing K Greg Joseph

Former Minnesota Vikings kicker Greg Joseph will stay in the NFC North and sign with the Green Bay Packers, his agent announced on social media Tuesday.

The one-year contract is worth up to $1.295 million, NFL Network reported.

Joseph, 29, "had other interest but liked this opportunity," agent Brett Tessler wrote on Twitter.

Green Bay will have a kicking competition with Joseph, recently signed Jack Podlesny and incumbent Anders Carlson, who was inconsistent as a rookie in 2023.

Joseph is the Vikings' record holder for longest field goal (61 yards, in 2022) and most game-winning field goals (five in 2022). He made 24 of 30 field-goal attempts (80 percent) and 36 of 38 extra-point attempts (94.7 percent) last season, with a long kick of 54 yards.

NFL approves Cal McNair as Texans' principal owner

NFL approves Cal McNair as Texans' principal owner

NFL owners on Tuesday approved Cal McNair as the principal owner of the Houston Texans at the annual league meeting in Orlando, Fla.

He has served as the team's CEO and chair for the team founded by his father, Bob McNair. After the elder McNair's death in 2018, his widow, Janice McNair, held principal ownership.

"The Houston Texans mean so much to our family, and I'm extremely proud that Cal will continue to lead the franchise moving forward," Janice McNair, 87, said in a statement Tuesday. "He has done such a terrific job as our CEO and we believe this move is what's best for everyone involved with the organization to secure our future under Cal's leadership.

"I know how pleased Bob would be to see this and our fans should be incredibly excited about the direction we are headed. I will continue to support Cal and the team in every way that I can and, of course, be rooting for us each and every week."

Cal McNair, 62, was named vice chair of the franchise in 2008 and promoted to COO in 2012, to chair in 2018 and CEO in 2019.

"I first want to acknowledge the incredible work my mom has done over the last five years since taking over. She has been an inspirational leader for our family, our team and our community," Cal McNair said. "I can't thank her enough for the foundation she has helped build and her countless contributions both on and off the field.

"It's an exciting time to be a Houston Texan and I'm honored to lead this franchise. This move ensures the long-term stability of our franchise and we will continue to operate the way we have been over the last couple years, pursuing a championship for the City of Houston while doing great things in the community and for our fans."

The Texans finished 10-7 last season and won the AFC South under first-year coach DeMeco Ryans and rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud. They lost to the Baltimore Ravens 34-10 in the AFC divisional round of the playoffs.

Report: Titans CB L'Jarius Sneed agrees to 4-year, $76M deal

Report: Titans CB L'Jarius Sneed agrees to 4-year, $76M deal

Newly acquired Tennessee Titans cornerback L'Jarius Sneed agreed to terms on a four-year, $76.4 million contract, NFL Network reported Tuesday.

Sneed arrived in a weekend trade with Kansas City that netted a 2025 third-round pick for the Chiefs plus a 2024 seventh-round pick swap.

At $19.1 million per season, Sneed's new deal ranks seventh in average annual value among NFL cornerbacks, per Spotrac. NFL Network reported that the terms include $55 million in guaranteed money and a $20 million signing bonus.

Sneed, 27, was a starter for the Chiefs' back-to-back Super Bowl-winning squads in the 2022 and 2023 campaigns. The 2020 fourth-round pick out of Louisiana Tech had 10 interceptions, 40 passes defensed, 6.5 sacks and 303 tackles in 57 career games (54 starts) with Kansas City.

In 2023, Sneed had 78 tackles, two interceptions, 14 passes defensed and one fumble recovery in 16 games, all starts. He added 17 tackles and three passes defensed in the playoffs, including three tackles in Kansas City's 25-22 overtime win over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII.

Report: NFL to play on Christmas Day, a Wednesday, this year

Report: NFL to play on Christmas Day, a Wednesday, this year

The NFL is scheduling at least one game for Christmas Day 2024, even though it falls on a Wednesday, The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday.

Hans Schroeder, the NFL's executive vice president of media distribution, told the publication that the league will play on Wednesday because the "fans clearly spoke" through their viewership. The three Christmas Day games in 2023, played on a Monday, each were among the top 10 in ratings in the regular season, per the report.

"There's a big demand," he said.

Wednesday games are rare. The last time a game was played on a Wednesday came in 2021, when a COVID-19 outbreak forced the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers to delay their planned Thanksgiving game until the following Wednesday.

This will be the fifth straight season the NFL has played on Christmas, encroaching on a sports day typically dominated by the NBA.

In 2024, the NFL schedule calls for the league to be idle only on Tuesdays.

The league holds games every week on Sunday, Monday and Thursday, with some late-season contests held on Saturday. A Black Friday game was introduced last year and will continue in 2024, and a Week 1 game in Brazil also will occur on Friday.

NFL adopts kickoff rule aimed at boosting return rate

NFL adopts kickoff rule aimed at boosting return rate

NFL owners approved new kickoff rules that are designed to increase return rates while also reducing the chance of high-impact injuries on Tuesday at their annual meeting in Orlando, Fla.

The kickoff modification is modeled after the format used by the XFL and is a one-year program with the expectation that further alterations could be made.

It will take effect in 2024.

Under new rules, the kicker will kick from his own 35-yard line while his teammates line up at the receiving team's 40-yard line. Nine players on the receiving team will line up at their own 35, with two players near the goal line as returners.

On the kicking team, only the kicker can move until the ball hits the ground in the designated "landing zone" inside the receiving team's 20-yard line.

If the kick doesn't go that far, the ball will be placed at the receiving team's 40-yard line. The receiving team will get the ball at its own 30 in the instance of a touchback.

By putting the majority of players closer together, and without that running start, high-speed collisions are less likely, reducing "space and speed," according to the league.

The plan was reviewed and refined by the 32 NFL special teams coordinators before being presented to the league Competition Committee and, ultimately, owners this week.

As the NFL has modified the kickoff in the past decade to reduce concussions, the return rate has fallen. Just under 22 percent of kickoffs were returned last season, and ESPN reported Tuesday that the goal for 2024 is about 80 percent.

Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris told The Athletic that the newly designed kickoff will be intriguing.

"I think it's important for us to find ways to bring excitement back for our fans and us," he said. "And also to make special teams coaches more relevant, right? We don't want to lose the relevance in any position of what we're doing. So I've got to give those guys credit for coming up with the idea. We're going to fight the battles of the unknown. Without a doubt, we haven't seen the play. (We have) seen a form of the play in a different league."

NFL moves trade deadline to after games in Week 9

NFL moves trade deadline to after games in Week 9

NFL owners voted Tuesday at the annual league meeting in Orlando, Fla., to move the trade deadline to the Tuesday after the games in Week 9.

That represents a full week later than the previous deadline, which was the Tuesday following the games in Week 8. The move of the trade deadline allows teams to better prepare for a playoff push during the 17-game season.

The 2024 NFL trade deadline is Nov. 5.

When the league expanded to a 17-game schedule in 2021, the trade deadline was not moved. This shift puts the deadline back to a more traditional alignment in the league calendar.

The Pittsburgh Steelers initially proposed for the deadline to be pushed to after the games in Week 9, while the Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers and Washington Commanders proposed for the deadline to be extended after the contests in Week 10.

Bears, Texans to meet in Hall of Fame game

Bears, Texans to meet in Hall of Fame game

The Chicago Bears and Houston Texans will meet in the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game.

The Hall of Fame announced the participants on Tuesday, and the teams were natural selections. Three former members of the Bears -- Devin Hester, Steve McMichael and Julius Peppers -- and Andre Johnson from the Texans are among the members of the organization's 2024 class.

The game is set for Aug. 1 in Canton, Ohio, with the Hall of Fame enshrinement following Aug. 3.

Dwight Freeney, Randy Gradishar and Patrick Willis also will be inducted during ceremonies.

Johnson will be the first player who played the majority of his career with the Texans to have a bust in Canton. With the three additions, 32 former Bears will be in the Hall of Fame.

Falcons owner denies tampering in acquisition of Kirk Cousins

Falcons owner denies tampering in acquisition of Kirk Cousins

Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank does not believe his team is guilty of tampering with then-free agent quarterback Kirk Cousins before officially signing him earlier this month.

Blank said the Falcons will "deal with" the outcome of the NFL's investigation into potential tampering, whatever it may be.

"The tampering deal, we obviously don't believe we tampered, and we shared all the information with the league," Blank told reporters Monday at the league meeting in Orlando. "And they'll review the process and the facts and they are in the middle of doing that, and whatever the result is, we'll deal with it."

Cousins signed with Atlanta on a four-year contract worth up to $180 million on March 13, the first official day of free agency. The team and Cousins' agent had agreed to terms during the so-called legal tampering period, the two days before the start of the new league year.

During an introductory press conference in Atlanta, Cousins said he had spoken to the Falcons' head athletic trainer and head of PR on the phone before the legal negotiating window, which is against the rules for pending free agents.

The league is also investigating potential tampering by the Philadelphia Eagles with running back Saquon Barkley.

As for on the field, the Falcons believe Cousins will be the answer to the quarterback inconsistency they've experienced since parting with Matt Ryan. Cousins was averaging 291.4 passing yards per game last season with the Minnesota Vikings before tearing an Achilles tendon.

"Obviously our football folks felt strongly," Blank said of Cousins. "Our fans I definitely think would concur with that. He's a very high-quality quarterback, he's performed at a high level for 12 years in the league and feel pretty fortunate having him as a quarterback and look forward to seeing the results with him."

Cousins has thrown for 39,471 yards, 270 touchdowns and 110 interceptions over in his NFL career, six seasons with Washington and six seasons with Minnesota.

RB Damien Harris announces retirement

RB Damien Harris announces retirement

Running back Damien Harris, who spent four seasons with the New England Patriots and one with the Buffalo Bills, announced his retirement on Monday.

The Alabama product was a third-round draft pick by New England in 2019 and became a free agent after his one-year deal with Buffalo expired.

"Gratitude is defined as ‘the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.' Today I am grateful I have found the strength to walk away from the game I love so much."

Harris, 27, finished his playing career with 2,188 rushing yards for 21 touchdowns and 42 receptions for 297 yards. His best season came in 2021, when he scored 15 touchdowns on 929 yards on the ground.

Harris appeared in six games for the Bills in 2023 and gained 94 yards on 23 attempts, scoring one touchdown. But he suffered a neck sprain against the New York Giants in Week 6 and had to be driven off the field in an ambulance -- less than one year after Bills safety Damar Hamlin's cardiac arrest and scary scene -- and Harris missed the rest of the season.

Giants GM on Saquon Barkley departure: 'Can't keep them all'

Giants GM on Saquon Barkley departure: 'Can't keep them all'

The New York Giants suffered one of the marquee departures in free agency when running back Saquon Barkley signed a $37.75 million deal with NFC East rival Philadelphia two weeks ago.

General manager Jim Schoen has been busy tweaking the Giants' roster since, and he had a pragmatic answer when asked about Barkley's departure at the NFL owners meetings on Monday.

"I wish Saquon nothing but the best," Schoen told reporters. "You can't keep them all. He did a lot for the franchise. Walter Payton Man of the Year, a lot of production. I enjoyed working with him for two years and everything he did for (coach Brian Daboll) and I in that playoff run (in 2022). I wish him nothing but the best."

Barkley, 27, rushed for 962 yards and six touchdowns in 14 starts last season, just shy of his fourth 1,000-yard season. He has been replaced, at least for the time being, by former Texans and Bills running back Devin Singletary, who leads a backfield depth chart that also includes Gary Brightwell and Eric Gray.

Schoen also signed guards Aaron Stinnie from Tampa Bay and Jon Runyan from Green Bay, tackle Jermaine Eluemunor from Las Vegas and backup center Austin Schlottmann from Minnesota in an effort to bolster a group that allowed a league-high 85 sacks last season.

The offensive line was the primary focus of free agency for Schoen, who also made a big splash with the trade and signing of pass rusher Brian Burns.

The Giants also hold the No. 6 overall pick in next month's NFL draft and own three of the top 70 picks overall. Schoen predictably played his cards close to his vest when asked about how he is approaching the draft.

"We'll look at all options, whether it's going up, back, staying," he said. "Ultimately, I think we'll end up with a good player."

Whether that is one of the several highly-touted quarterbacks in this class remains to be seen. Schoen said Daniel Jones is "on the right track" in his return from injury, while Drew Lock was signed to compete for the backup job along with Tommy DeVito.

This is seen as a critical year for Schoen and Daboll, who made waves two years ago with the Giants making the playoffs only to plummet to 6-11 last season.

"It takes time, as much as you want instant gratification, and nobody wants that more than me," Schoen said. "I think you have to believe in the principles and in terms of how to build the team, and we're going on our third draft. It takes time.

"When I look back at the 2021 roster and where we are now, I just think we're heading in the right direction, and we'll continue to head in the right direction in terms of bringing in our type of players and what we're looking for schematically, what Dabs is looking at for his offense, and we'll keep making progress."

NFL grants international market access to four new teams

NFL grants international market access to four new teams

The Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Indianapolis Colts and New York Giants are going global.

The four teams are entering the NFL's Global Markets Program for the first time, with three of them including Germany among their target countries.

In the third year of the league's program, the total number of teams participating has risen to 25 across 19 different markets around the country. The program aims to help teams grow their presence on the international stage with events, marketing and commercial opportunities.

The Browns were granted rights to Nigeria -- the first NFL team to access that market.

The Giants have rights to Germany, the Colts were allowed both Austria and Germany and the Lions were granted Austria, Germany, Switzerland and Canada.

The league also said that the Miami Dolphins are expanding their rights holdings to Argentina, Colombia and Mexico -- the former two being targets for the first time. Miami already had rights in Brazil, Spain and the United Kingdom.

The Los Angeles Rams, who previously had rights in Australia, New Zealand, China and Mexico, became the first teams to expand their rights to Japan and South Korea.

"The momentum of the Global Markets Program underscores the strong commitment of NFL clubs to growing the game and their passionate fan bases around the world. Clubs are seeing the value and opportunity in new markets and aligning with the league to accelerate that growth together," Peter O'Reilly, the NFL's executive vice president for club business, major events and international, said in a statement. "We can't wait to see the ongoing impact of the program on fandom and global growth in this season and in years ahead, both in new and existing markets and via new clubs joining and active clubs deepening their strategic commitments."

QB Stetson Bennett set to join Rams for offseason workouts

QB Stetson Bennett set to join Rams for offseason workouts

Quarterback Stetson Bennett will join the Los Angeles Rams for offseason workouts, general manager Les Snead said Monday.

The Rams selected Bennett, who led Georgia to two national championships, in the fourth round of the 2023 draft. He left the team in the preseason and spent the season on the reserve/non-football illness list.

Last month, coach Sean McVay said the Rams would reach out to Bennett, 26, "at the appropriate time" to see if they were a good fit.

"Those will be conversations that we will have. And then I think once we have a better idea of what we'll do with that, then that will give clarity."

Neither Bennett nor McVay ever disclosed why Bennett left the team, with the coach only saying the issue was "bigger than" football.

Matthew Stafford is entrenched as the Rams starting quarterback, and the team signed veteran Jimmy Garoppolo as his backup earlier this month.

49ers' George Kittle, Charvarius Ward on the mend

49ers' George Kittle, Charvarius Ward on the mend

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle and cornerback Charvarius Ward are both recovering from core muscle surgeries earlier this offseason.

General manager John Lynch confirmed Monday that both Pro Bowl selections are expected to be fully cleared in time for training camp.

Kittle, 30, caught 65 passes for 1,020 yards and six touchdowns in 16 starts in the 2023 regular season. He added eight catches for 112 yards and one TD in three playoff games for the NFC champions.

Ward, 27, set career highs with five interceptions and a league-leading 23 passes defensed in 17 starts during the regular season, adding 72 tackles. He added 10 tackles in three postseason games.

Kittle was named first-team All-Pro for the second time and made his fifth Pro Bowl last season. Ward earned his first Pro Bowl selection in his second season with the 49ers, who fell to his former team, the Kansas City Chiefs, in Super Bowl LVIII on Feb. 11.

NFL outlaws controversial 'hip-drop' tackle

NFL outlaws controversial 'hip-drop' tackle

NFL owners voted Monday to ban the controversial "hip-drop" tackle, which was blamed for numerous injuries this past season.

The rule change was proposed by the NFL Competition Committee and adopted at the annual owners meetings in Orlando, Fla.

Owners also adopted a change to challenges, approving a third challenge for coaches after one successful challenge, instead of two. Also approved was the enforcement of a major foul by the offense prior to a change of possession.

The hip-drop tackle is defined as a technique in which a player "unweights himself by swiveling and dropping his hips and/or lower body, landing on and trapping the runner's legs at or below the knee."

It will now result in a 15-yard penalty and automatic first down. Further, players could be subject to fines and warning letters for employing the technique.

NFL executive VP of football operations Troy Vincent said last week the tackle was "something we want to get out of the game."

Report: Steelers signing ex-Eagles WR Quez Watkins

Report: Steelers signing ex-Eagles WR Quez Watkins

Wide receiver Quez Watkins is crossing Pennsylvania to join the Pittsburgh Steelers, ESPN reported Monday.

He played his first four NFL seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, who drafted him in the sixth round in 2020.

Watkins, 25, caught 15 passes for 142 yards and one touchdown in nine games (five starts) last season.

He leaves Philly with 98 grabs for 1,249 yards and six TDs in 49 games (25 starts). He also returned 14 kickoffs for 200 yards.

Dolphins confirm offer made to WR Odell Beckham Jr.

Dolphins confirm offer made to WR Odell Beckham Jr.

Miami coach Mike McDaniel confirmed Monday that the Dolphins made an offer to free agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. last week.

Beckham, 31, visited with the Dolphins last week and the talks are "ongoing," McDaniel told the Miami Herald on Monday at the NFL's league meetings in Orlando, Fla.

"Things went great with him," McDaniel told the Herald. "We did make him an offer and business takes time, especially with players such as Odell, who's had a phenomenal career, still has really good football in front of him and has options. So, I think those conversations will be ongoing. We'll see where they go."

The Baltimore Ravens cut Beckham earlier this month. He caught 35 passes for 565 yards and three touchdowns in 14 games (six starts) during the 2023 regular season and added four receptions for 34 yards in the playoffs.

The Dolphins are looking for a new WR3 behind stars Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle after losing Cedrick Wilson to the New Orleans Saints in free agency.

"(I'm) definitely ready to coach him if we can come to an agreement and I think both sides are trying to work towards that," McDaniel said. "We'll see what happens."

Should Beckham join Miami, it will be his fifth stop. The New York Giants selected him No. 12 overall in the 2014 NFL Draft, and he also played for the Cleveland Browns (2019-21), Los Angeles Rams (2021) and Ravens.

A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Beckham missed the 2022 season as he recovered from a torn ACL suffered in the Rams' win in Super Bowl LVI.

Beckham has 566 career receptions for 7,932 receiving yards and 59 touchdowns in 110 games (97 starts).

Mike Tomlin: Russell Wilson has 'pole position' for Steelers' No. 1 QB

Mike Tomlin: Russell Wilson has 'pole position' for Steelers' No. 1 QB

Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has two starter-quality quarterbacks on his roster, but only one can start.

Tomlin offered some insight Sunday on newcomers Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, Tomlin's potential starters after the team traded Kenny Pickett.

"We've been very transparent about the pecking order, at least to start," Tomlin told reporters at the NFL's league meetings in Orlando, Fla. "I just think that provides clarity for all parties involved."

That clarity indicates Wilson, 35, has the inside track after a roller-coaster two years with the Denver Broncos.

"Russell is a veteran, man," Tomlin said. "He's got a proven process of readiness. He's been in this league a long time, and he's capable of rallying troops, receivers, tight ends and running backs."

Tomlin said Wilson, who reached two Super Bowls with the Seattle Seahawks, winning one, has a grasp of how to cultivate leadership over an extended amount of time -- something that will provide a benefit for Fields as the quarterbacks "do some of the informal things at this time of the year."

Fields, 25, threw for 2,562 yards, 16 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 13 games last season for the Chicago Bears. He added 657 rushing yards and four scores.

He was traded to the Steelers this offseason in exchange for a sixth-round pick in 2025 that could become a fourth-rounder if certain parameters are met.

Tomlin stopped short of calling Wilson his Week 1 starter.

"Rest assured, when it's time to compete, Justin will (be) given an opportunity to compete," he said, "and we'll allow those guys to sort themselves out. But I thought it was appropriate to describe it in a way for when we get started. Russell's in pole position, and I think his body of work justifies that.

"And just from my conversations with Justin, he is excited about working alongside Russell and learning some of those veteran tricks of the trade from ... a guy who has been around for over a decade."

The Steelers finished 10-7 last season, losing 31-17 to the Buffalo Bills in the wild-card playoff round.

Reports: Texans LT Laremy Tunsil undergoes knee surgery

Reports: Texans LT Laremy Tunsil undergoes knee surgery

Houston Texans Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his left knee to address an injury that forced him to miss three games in 2023, NFL Network and KPRC reported Sunday.

Tunsil, 29, is expected to make a quick recovery and be ready for offseason activities, per the reports.

According to KPRC, Tunsil had the knee drained a few times last season, after which he earned his fourth Pro Bowl honor. Tunsil still started 14 games and both postseason games.

Tunsil has started all 108 games he's played in since being selected No. 13 overall in the 2016 draft by the Miami Dolphins.

Tunsil signed a three-year extension worth $75 million in March 2023 that will keep him under contract through the 2026 season.

Report: Eagles signing QB Will Grier to one-year deal

Report: Eagles signing QB Will Grier to one-year deal

The Philadelphia Eagles are signing free agent quarterback Will Grier to a one-year deal, ESPN reported Saturday.

Grier, 28, has been employed by five other teams since 2019, when he last appeared in a regular season game.

Grier spent time with the New England Patriots, Los Angeles Chargers and Cincinnati Bengals last season. Before that he was with the Dallas Cowboys (2021-22) and Carolina Panthers (2019-20), who drafted him in the third round in 2019.

He lost both of his starts with the Panthers as a rookie, completing a combined 28 of 52 passes for 228 yards with no touchdowns and four interceptions. Grier also was sacked six times and lost a fumble.

Grier joins a Philadelphia quarterback room that includes incumbent starter Jalen Hurts and former Pittsburgh Steelers starter Kenny Pickett, acquired earlier this month in a swap of draft picks.

Reports: Titans acquire CB L'Jarius Sneed from Chiefs

Reports: Titans acquire CB L'Jarius Sneed from Chiefs

Cornerback L'Jarius Sneed, a starter on the Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl-winning teams each of the past two seasons, is headed to the Tennessee Titans, ESPN and NFL.com reported Friday night.

The Titans reportedly are sending the Chiefs a 2025 third-round pick, and the clubs will swap seventh-round selections in 2024.

The deal came together after Kansas City placed the nonexclusive franchise tag on Sneed this month, days after granting him permission to find another team willing to trade for his services.

Sneed will receive a new contract from Tennessee, per the two reports. According to ESPN, he will wind up with one of the richest contracts for a cornerback.

Sneed, 27, is set to become the second cornerback to join the Titans in the offseason, following former Cincinnati Bengal Chidobe Awuzie, who landed a three-year deal earlier this month.

The Chiefs drafted Sneed in the fourth round of the 2020 draft out of Louisiana Tech, and he wound up playing 57 regular-season games, including 54 starts, for Kansas City.

He also started all 13 of the team's postseason games during his tenure, including three Super Bowls.

In 2023, Sneed had 78 tackles, two interceptions, 14 passes defensed and one fumble recovery in 16 games, all starts. He added 17 tackles and three passes defensed in the playoffs, including three tackles and one pass defensed in Kansas City's 25-22 win over the San Francisco 49ers in the Super Bowl last month.

For his career, he has 303 tackles, 10 interceptions, 6.5 sacks, 40 passes defensed, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.

Colts sign veteran QB Joe Flacco

Colts sign veteran QB Joe Flacco

The Indianapolis Colts made it official Friday with the signing of 2023 Comeback Player of the Year, quarterback Joe Flacco.

Terms were not disclosed but reports last week said the one-year deal to back up starter Anthony Richardson was worth up to $8.1 million.

The 2013 Super Bowl MVP while with the champion Baltimore Ravens, Flacco was out of the league last season until the Browns, amid a rash of injuries to their quarterbacks, signed him to the practice squad on Nov. 20.

Flacco, 38, ended the season as Cleveland's starter, and the Browns won four of his five regular-season starts, the last four in succession. He threw for 1,616 yards and 13 touchdowns with eight interceptions in those five games and completed just over 60 percent of his pass attempts.

The Browns, the runners-up in the AFC North, lost 45-14 to the Houston Texans in the wild-card round of the playoffs. Flacco threw for 307 yards and a touchdown, but he was intercepted twice.

The Colts (9-8) missed the postseason for the third straight season, finishing one game behind the Texans in the AFC South.

In 16 NFL seasons, Flacco has thrown for 43,936 yards, 18th on the all-time list, and 245 touchdowns, with 155 interceptions.

Reports: Texans signing CB C.J. Henderson

Reports: Texans signing CB C.J. Henderson

The Houston Texans are reportedly signing cornerback C.J. Henderson, a former top-10 draft pick.

Henderson, 25, agreed to terms after visiting with the Texans on Thursday, according to ESPN sources.

Henderson spent the past two-plus seasons with Carolina after being selected ninth overall by Jacksonville in 2020.

He has three interceptions, 16 passes defensed and 172 tackles in 49 games (32 starts) with the Panthers and Jaguars.

Buccaneers officially re-sign veteran LB Lavonte David

Buccaneers officially re-sign veteran LB Lavonte David

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers officially re-signed veteran linebacker Lavonte David on Friday.

David, 34, will suit up for his 13th season in 2024 with the franchise that drafted him in the second round in 2012.

Terms were not disclosed, but previous reports said the longtime team captain agreed to a $9 million deal.

"Lavonte continues to stand the test of time and play at an exceptionally high level year after year, so it was never a question that we wanted to bring him back as the heart and soul of our defense," said Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht. "The example he sets and the leadership he brings have been vital to our success as a team. It is extremely rare to have a player producing at such a high level for going on 13 years now, but Lavonte plays with a passion and a love of the game that shows no signs of slowing down."

David started 15 games and registered 4.5 sacks and 134 tackles in 2023. It was his 10th season with triple-digit tackles.

An All-Pro selection in 2013 and a Pro Bowler in 2015, David has 33.5 sacks, 12 interceptions, 28 forced fumbles and 18 fumble recoveries in 181 games (all starts).

Giants re-signing WR Isaiah Hodgins, add OL Matt Nelson

Giants re-signing WR Isaiah Hodgins, add OL Matt Nelson

The New York Giants are re-signing wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins and adding offensive tackle Matt Nelson.

Both moves are pending physicals, the team said in an announcement Thursday night.

Hodgins, 25, caught 21 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns in 17 games (nine starts) for the Giants in 2023. The Giants claimed him off waivers in November 2022.

He has seven career TDs in 28 games (14 starts) with the Buffalo Bills (2021-22) and Giants.

The Giants opted against the restricted free agent tender of $3 million for Hodgins and will sign him for less.

Nelson, 28, played in 43 career games (14 starts) for the Detroit Lions, who signed the converted defensive lineman as an undrafted free agent in 2019.

Reports: Chargers signing CB Kristian Fulton

Reports: Chargers signing CB Kristian Fulton

The Los Angeles Chargers are signing free agent cornerback Kristian Fulton to a one-year deal, NFL Network reported Friday.

Financial terms were not reported.

ESPN reported that Fulton turned down offers from three teams, including division rival Denver, to sign with the Chargers, who brought him in Wednesday for a visit.

Fulton, 25, has four interceptions and 25 passes defensed in 42 career games (37 starts) with the Tennessee Titans, who selected him in the second round of the 2020 draft.

It's expected Fulton will earn the starting spot opposite Asante Samuel Jr. with the Chargers.

Lions release CB Cameron Sutton amid criminal allegations

Lions release CB Cameron Sutton amid criminal allegations

The Detroit Lions released starting cornerback Cameron Sutton on Thursday, a day after authorities in Florida announced they were looking for him following allegations of aggravated battery-domestic violence.

The Lions posted a one-sentence announcement of his release on social media without further detail.

The sheriff's office in Hillsborough County, Fla., said Wednesday that Sutton was being sought in the case and described the Jeep Grand Wagoneer that he was believed to be driving. The public was asked to contact the office if Sutton or the vehicle were spotted.

The Detroit Free Press reported Thursday that Sutton allegedly was involved in a domestic dispute on March 7 in Lutz, Fla. When law enforcement arrived at the scene, Sutton was not there, and they have not been able to locate him.

The Lions issued a statement on Wednesday that said team officials had just learned of the warrant.

"We became aware of the ongoing legal situation involving Cam Sutton this morning," the statement read. "We will continue to monitor the situation and will not have further comment at this time."

Sutton, 29, joined the Lions last season on a three-year, $33 million deal signed in March 2023 after six seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who selected him in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft.

He started all 17 regular-season games with the Lions, posting 65 tackles, an interception, one forced fumble and six passes defensed. He started Detroit's three playoff games as well, adding eight tackles and breaking up three passes.

Broncos re-sign LB Justin Strnad to 1-year deal

Broncos re-sign LB Justin Strnad to 1-year deal

The Denver Broncos re-signed inside linebacker Justin Strnad on Thursday to a one-year deal.

Strnad, 27, has played in 50 games over the last three seasons for the Broncos, with his five starts all coming in 2021.

The 2020 fifth-round pick has 46 career tackles with one quarterback hit and has played in at least 84 percent of the team's special teams snaps over the past two seasons.

Report: Eagles signing WR Parris Campbell

Report: Eagles signing WR Parris Campbell

The Philadelphia Eagles reached an agreement with wide receiver Parris Campbell on a one-year contract, ESPN reported Thursday.

The 26-year-old free agent played last year with the NFC East rival New York Giants following four seasons with the Indianapolis Colts.

Campbell caught 20 passes for 104 yards in 12 games (three starts) for the Giants. He also returned eight kickoffs for 191 yards (23.9 average).

A second-round pick by Indianapolis in 2019, Campbell has 117 career receptions for 1,087 yards and five TDs in 44 games (27 starts). He has also rushed 11 times for 108 yards and returned 15 kicks for 366 yards.

Ravens sign veteran OT Josh Jones

Ravens sign veteran OT Josh Jones

The Baltimore Ravens signed Josh Jones to boost their offensive line depth on Thursday.

Terms of the deal with the 26-year-old free agent tackle were not disclosed.

Jones was a third-round pick of the Arizona Cardinals in 2020 and has 24 starts in 60 career games.

He played on a one-year deal with the Houston Texans in 2023 and started three of his 13 games.

Giants rework DT Dexter Lawrence's deal, clear $7.5M

Giants rework DT Dexter Lawrence's deal, clear $7.5M

The New York Giants restructured defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence's contract to clear $7.5 million in salary cap space, ESPN reported Thursday.

The Giants converted $10 million of the two-time Pro Bowl selection's base salary into a signing bonus, per the report. The team had been about $2.5 million over the cap before reworking the deal.

Lawrence, 26, signed a four-year, $90 million extension with the Giants in May 2023.

Lawrence made his second straight Pro Bowl in 2023, starting 16 games and contributing 4.5 sacks, 21 quarterback hits and 53 tackles.

The 2019 first-round pick (17th overall) has recorded 21 sacks, 79 QB hits, 266 tackles and four forced fumbles in 80 games (73 starts) with the Giants.

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