|
 Johnson informed the Lions on Tuesday, one day before his $24
million salary cap charge would have gone on the 2016 ledger for
Detroit, that he was ready to retire.
Johnson caught 731 passes for 11,619 yards and 83 touchdowns in nine
NFL seasons. He set career highs for receptions (122) and yardage
(1,964) in 2012 and made a career-best 16 touchdown receptions in
2011.
- -
The Jacksonville Jaguars are on the verge of signing defensive end
Malik Jackson away from the Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos.
Jackson confirmed Tuesday he agreed to a deal with the Jaguars that
could be worth $90 million over six seasons. He can't officially
sign the contract until Wednesday when the new league year begins.
- -
Coveted offensive lineman Kelechi Osemele agreed in principle to a
contract with the Oakland Raiders.
NFL Network reported the five-year, $60 million deal struck during
the "legal tampering" period would be signed at the start of free
agency on Wednesday, creating a hole for the Baltimore Ravens at
offensive guard.
- -
Defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul is remaining with the New York
Giants and has agreed to a one-year deal with the team.
ESPN reported the contract could be worth $10.5 million. Pierre-Paul
turned down overtures from the Arizona Cardinals to remain with the
Giants.
- -
Defensive end Mario Williams agreed to a two-year deal worth $16
million with the Miami Dolphins.
Williams, 31, had five sacks in 2015 and with two years left on his
deal, was released before he counted $19.9 million against the
salary cap next season. Releasing Williams saves the Buffalo Bills
$12.9 million against the salary cap.
- -
Veteran linebacker Tamba Hali and the Kansas City Chiefs agreed on a
three-year contract, according to published reports.
Hali, 32, has spent all 10 seasons of his career in Kansas City and
the new deal could allow him to spend his entire career with the
Chiefs.
- -
The Buffalo Bills and guard Richie Incognito agreed to a three-year
contract.
The team confirmed the agreement and Incognito confirmed that the
contract was for three years during a conference call with
reporters. Published reports say the deal is worth more than $15
million.
- -
Cornerback William Gay agreed to a new three-year deal with the
Pittsburgh Steelers rather than entering free agency.
Gay announced he would be back with the Steelers for a ninth season
on Tuesday, about 30 hours before the start of the 2016 league year
and the kickoff of the free-agent signing period.
- -
The Arizona Cardinals agreed to terms on a two-year contract with
backup quarterback Drew Stanton, the club announced.
Stanton's deal with is worth $6.5 million, according to the NFL
Network. The deal prevents Stanton from testing the free-agent
market.
- -
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo underwent surgery on his left
collarbone on Tuesday, the team confirmed.
The Cowboys said Romo will require a recovery time of 6-to-8 weeks
before returning to football-related activities.
- -
When a trade to the Tennessee Titans becomes official this week,
running back DeMarco Murray will receive $12 million guaranteed
under the terms of the deal that shipped him out of Philadelphia.
NFL Network reported the Eagles would receive draft pick
compensation in the swap and that Murray had made adjustments to the
contract Murray signed in free agency last March.
- -
When the clock strikes 4:01 p.m. ET on Wednesday, the Cleveland
Browns are expected to officially turn the page on 2014 first-round
pick Johnny Manziel.
NFL Network reported Tuesday that Manziel would be released.
However, the Browns could idle on that decision while awaiting a
potential NFL suspension. In that scenario, the Browns would be
absolved of the $2 million guaranteed owed Manziel on his 2016
contract.
- -
Adam Vinatieri's NFL career is alive and kicking after 20 seasons as
the 43-year-old signed a new contract with the Indianapolis Colts on
Tuesday a day before he was scheduled to become an unrestricted free
agent.
Vinatieri has connected on 503 field-goal attempts and is one of
only three kickers all-time with 500 career field goals made,
joining Morten Andersen (565) and Gary Anderson (538). Vinatieri
ranks third in league history in total points (2,253) and is the
NFL's active leader.
- -
[to top of second column] |
Alshon Jeffery signed a one-year franchise tender with the Chicago
Bears.
Jeffery, the top wide receiver for quarterback Jay Cutler when
healthy, is assured a 2016 salary of $14,599,000 unless the two
sides work out a long-term deal, which head coach John Fox and
general manager Ryan Pace said was the stated goal before the NFL's
deadline of July 15.
- -
Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer likes his young receivers enough
that the team decided to release veteran wide receiver Mike Wallace.
- -
Guard Louis Vasquez and tight end Owen Daniels were released by the
Denver Broncos, who continue what is becoming a massive offseason
makeover.
Denver will have a new starting quarterback after Peyton Manning's
retirement and free agent defensive lineman Malik Jackson said
Tuesday he is headed for Jacksonville on a whopper of a free-agent
deal.
- -
Cornerback Leodis McKelvin signed a two-year deal with the
Philadelphia Eagles, reuniting with his former defensive coordinator
Jim Schwartz.
McKelvin, 30, was released last week by the Buffalo Bills. The
former first-round pick spent eight seasons in Buffalo. Schwartz was
defensive coordinator of the Bills in 2014 and enters his first
season in that role with the Eagles in 2016.
- -
Offensive guard Lane Taylor signed a two-year, $4.15 million
contract with the Green Bay Packers.
Taylor, 26, was active for only six games in 2015 and was scheduled
to be a restricted free agent on Wednesday.
- -
The New England Patriots informed defensive tackle Alan Branch they
are picking up the $400,000 option bonus that is due Wednesday.
The move locks Branch in for the 2016 season. Branch signed a
two-year contract with the team last offseason that included the
option bonus, which needed to be activated for him to remain with
the team.
- -
Joe Webb can be a fifth wide receiver, cover punts and even serve as
the emergency quarterback should the Carolina Panthers need him
there. For those reasons and more, the Panthers re-signed Webb to a
two-year deal one day before unrestricted free agency invited other
suitors.
- -
Benjamin Watson agreed to a deal with the Baltimore Ravens, who are
in dire need of depth at the tight end position.
Watson, 35, also had a career year for the New Orleans Saints with
74 receptions for 825 yards, surprisingly filling the void left when
Jimmy Graham was traded to the Seattle Seahawks.
- -
Tight end Michael Hoomanawanui signed a three-year deal with the New
Orleans Saints, according to FoxSports.com. He had been set to
become a free agent Wednesday.
Known primarily for his blocking, Hoomanawanui was acquired from the
New England Patriots last fall and went on to catch 11 passes for 76
yards in 12 games.
- -
The Seattle Seahawks re-signed defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin. Terms
of the deal were not disclosed, but bringing back Rubin was
considered a high priority for the Seahawks with fellow defensive
tackle Brandon Mebane also set to become a free agent Wednesday.
- -
The San Francisco 49ers signed linebacker Ray-Ray Armstrong to a
one-year contract extension, the team announced.
San Francisco also stated it has tendered one-year contracts to
restricted free agent linebacker Michael Wilhoite and exclusive
rights free agent offensive lineman Jordan Dewey.
- -
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers re-signed safety Keith Tandy, the club
announced.
Tampa Bay also revealed that it released linebacker Bruce Carter.
(Editing by Frank Pingue)
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