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NFL notebook: Foles set to hit free agency

[February 07, 2019] Eagles quarterback Nick Foles is set to buy his way out of Philadelphia and into free agency.

According to multiple reports, the Eagles opted to use the $20 million option for 2019 to retain Foles and shop him for compensation. Foles countered, using a provision in his contract -- a $2 million buyout -- to free himself to return to the open market when free agency begins next month.

Among teams potentially in the market for a quarterback this offseason are the Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins, Denver Broncos and New York Giants.

Foles, 30, led the Eagles to the playoffs two consecutive seasons after injuries to starter Carson Wentz. Philadelphia won its first-ever Super Bowl title with Foles under center two seasons ago and lost this year to New Orleans in the NFC divisional round.

--Pittsburgh Steelers wideout Antonio Brown allegedly pushed the mother of his daughter to the ground last month in Florida, according to a police incident report obtained by ESPN.

The alleged incident took place Jan. 17 in Hollywood, Fla., when the woman dropped off their child at Brown's residence and asked to be reimbursed for the girl's hair appointment. The report states that after the woman positioned herself on the threshold so Brown couldn't close his door, he asked her to leave. He later used both hands to push her to the ground, according to the Hollywood Police Department incident report.

The woman did not press charges, and Brown was not arrested. The case is still under review by the police department, according to ESPN.

--The New York Giants declined a 2019 option for running back Jonathan Stewart, according to multiple reports, avoiding the final year of a contract that would have paid the veteran $2.35 million in base salary.

Stewart, 31, was a disappointment in his first year with the Giants in 2018, gaining just 17 yards on six carries over three games before being lost for the season with a foot injury. He reportedly signed a two-year, $6,575,000 contract with the team last offseason.

Stewart was signed before the team selected running back Saquon Barley in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Barkley went on to rush for 1,307 yards and 11 touchdowns as a rookie. He also caught 91 passes for 721 yards and four touchdowns.

--New England Patriots safety Patrick Chung reportedly will have surgery Thursday on the broken arm he sustained Sunday in Super Bowl LIII.

Chung walked off the field with his right arm in an air cast after helping to tackle Los Angeles running back Todd Gurley early in the third quarter.

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The Athletic reported that Chung, 31, also will undergo shoulder surgery in about three weeks. Chung played with the shoulder injury throughout the season. He likely will miss OTAs because of the shoulder surgery but is expected to take part in training camp this summer, according to the report.

--Atlanta Falcons kicker Matt Bryant was told he will be released by the team.

Bryant issued a statement via Twitter, saying he was informed Atlanta would be moving on to a new kicker next season. Presumably, Giorgio Tavecchio, who made all five of his field-goal attempts for the Falcons in 2018, will replace the 43-year-old and 17-year NFL veteran.

--Indianapolis Colts offensive lineman Matt Slauson announced his retirement via Instagram, ending a standout 10-year career.

Slauson, 32, started at right guard for the Colts this season until he sustained a fractured bone in his back in Week 5. He stayed active with the team the remainder of the season but did not play again.

--New England assistant coach Chad O'Shea was hired as offensive coordinator of the Dolphins, joining new head coach Brian Flores in Miami after they coached together in Super Bowl LIII.

O'Shea coached in three Super Bowls with New England and was in charge of the wide receivers last season. The 46-year-old will be the primary play-caller with the Dolphins.

O'Shea is not new to Miami. His father was the head trainer for the University of Miami Hurricanes under Howard Schnellenberger.

--Greg Schiano is set to fill the defensive coordinator post with the Patriots, effectively replacing Flores.

Flores, who maintained the title of linebackers coach in 2018 after Matt Patricia left to become head coach of the Detroit Lions, was the defensive play-caller for New England. He worked closely with head coach Bill Belichick to devise game plans and make in-game adjustments.

Schiano, 52, is a longtime ally of Belichick, whose son, Steve Belichick, was a long snapper at Rutgers when Schiano coached there. Belichick has praised Schiano for developing NFL talent while he was at Rutgers and most recently at Ohio State, where he was the defensive coordinator.

--Field Level Media

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