Nov 10, 2024; Munich, Germany; New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) throws the ball against the Carolina Panthers  in the second half during the 2024 NFL Munich Game at Allianz Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

QB Daniel Jones expected to land quickly with new team

Former New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones is expected to have suitors waiting in line should he clear waivers, as expected, on Monday afternoon.

Once the chance to claim Jones on waivers passes Monday at 4 p.m. — a team that put in a claim would owe him nearly $35 million — quarterback-needy teams likely will come calling for the free agent, according to multiple reports.

The Giants decided to move on from Jones on Monday, then released him on Friday at his request. Former third-stringer Tommy DeVito will start Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in East Rutherford, N.J.

New York was 2-8 with Jones as the starter this season (24-44-1 overall), but that record isn’t expected to dissuade teams. And Jones is said to want to land with a playoff contender.

NFL.com reported Sunday that Jones’ options could include the San Francisco 49ers, whose starter, Brock Purdy, is dealing with a shoulder injury. The Baltimore Ravens, who could add him to their practice squad as a viable backup option to Lamar Jackson, also could be in the running for Jones, per the report.

ESPN reported that Minnesota also could be a landing spot, should the Vikings decide Jones could be a better fit to back up Sam Darnold than Nick Mullens and Brett Rypien.

While not a playoff contender, the Las Vegas Raiders (2-8) — dissatisfied with their quarterback play this season — could provide him with a chance to audition for other teams looking for a 2025 quarterback.

Jones, 27, was the No. 6 overall pick by the Giants in the 2019 draft. He suffered a season-ending ACL tear last season but returned in time to start this season as the No. 1 quarterback. He was benched with a record of 3-13 over his past 16 starts.

He has 14,582 passing yards, 70 touchdown passes and 47 interceptions in 70 career games (69 starts).

–Field Level Media

Nov 19, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Arizona Cardinals offensive tackle D.J. Humphries (74) smells smelling salts as he and the Houston Texans waits for a call in the second half at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

Report: Free agent OT D.J. Humphries (torn ACL) cleared to return

Former Pro Bowl offensive tackle D.J. Humphries has been medically cleared for all football work, NFL Network reported on Friday.

Humphries, who is a free agent, has been working his way back from a torn ACL sustained last season while playing with the Arizona Cardinals. The former first-round draft pick visited the New York Giants last month.

Humphries, 30, started 15 games last season and all 98 in which he’s played since the Cardinals selected him with the 24th overall pick of the 2015 NFL Draft.

–Field Level Media

Dec 25, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (3) stands on the field before the start of the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Dolphins, Odell Beckham Jr. agree to 1-year deal

Free-agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and the Miami Dolphins agreed to a one-year deal worth up to $8.25 million, NFL Network reported Friday.

Beckham, 31, appeared in 14 games (six starts) last season with the Baltimore Ravens, making 35 catches for 565 yards and three touchdowns. He added four receptions for 34 yards in the playoffs.

At the league meetings in Orlando, Fla., in March, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel confirmed the team had made an offer to Beckham but didn’t expect an imminent signing.

“Things went great with him,” McDaniel told the Miami Herald then. “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.”

Beckham, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, will represent another option for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa behind stars Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.

Miami will be the fifth stop for Beckham. 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.

Beckham missed the 2022 season as he recovered from a torn ACL suffered in the Rams’ win in Super Bowl LVI.

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

–Field Level Media

Jan 21, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) against the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2024 AFC divisional round game at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Texans WR Stefon Diggs’ contract only for one season

New Houston Texans wide receiver Stefon Diggs will be a free agent following the 2024 season after having the final three years of his contract “wiped out,” ESPN reported Thursday.

Diggs will make $22.52 million in guaranteed money in 2024 after the Texans moved the $3.5 million he’s owed in 2025 to this season, per the report.

The Bills traded the four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver on Wednesday in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Texans also get a 2024 sixth-round pick and 2025 fifth-round pick, per reports. The Bills’ second-rounder is via the Minnesota Vikings.

Diggs turns 31 in November but produced at a high level since the Bills acquired him from the Minnesota Vikings in 2020.

He and the Bills were at odds multiple times since he signed a four-year, $96 million contract with $70 million guaranteed in April 2022.

Diggs has 810 career catches for 9,995 yards and 67 touchdowns in 136 games (128 starts) with the Vikings (2015-19) and Bills.

Diggs joins an offense that now includes running back Joe Mixon, whom the Texans also traded for to bolster weapons for second-year quarterback C.J. Stroud. Tank Dell and tight end Dalton Schultz are also in place for 2024.

–Field Level Media

Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Eric Kendricks (6) rushes Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) on Sunday, November 19, 2023, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. 
Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

NFL notebook: LB Eric Kendricks reportedly spurns 49ers for Cowboys

In an about-face, former Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Eric Kendricks agreed to a one-year contract with the Dallas Cowboys on Wednesday, according to multiple media reports.

Kendricks’ decision came hours after reports indicated he would go to the San Francisco 49ers, also on a one-year contract.

ESPN reported that new Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer wanted a reunion with Kendricks, who turned 32 on Feb. 29. Before his one season with the Chargers, Kendricks played eight seasons with the Minnesota Vikings (2015-22), where Zimmer was the head coach through 2021.

Kendricks, who was released on March 5 as the Chargers needed to open salary-cap space, was named a first-team All-Pro and a Pro Bowler in 2019, his only time with each honor.

–The Las Vegas Raiders officially released veteran quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo after one season.

The team also cut wide receiver Hunter Renfrow, defensive tackle Jerry Tillery and backup QB Brian Hoyer, saving more than $19 million in salary-cap space.

Garoppolo, 32, signed a three-year, $72.75 million contract, with $45 million of it guaranteed, last March. Last month, he was suspended two games by the NFL for violating the league’s performance-enhancing substances policy.

–Quarterback Joe Flacco, last season’s league Comeback Player of the Year while leading the Cleveland Browns into the postseason, reportedly agreed to a one-year contract with the Indianapolis Colts.

Flacco, who turned 39 years old in January, will serve as the backup and a mentor to Indianapolis’ Anthony Richardson, according to ESPN. Richardson missed 13 games in his rookie season due to injuries. The deal could earn Flacco as much as $8.7 million.

–Kirk Cousins put pen to paper and celebrated a massive payday, joining the Atlanta Falcons for a fresh start at age 35 as the new NFL league year officially began.

Cousins’ deal is for a reported four years and $180 million deal, with $100 million guaranteed.

–Star quarterback Patrick Mahomes plans to restructure his contract with the Kansas City Chiefs, freeing up $21.6 million against the salary cap, per multiple media reports.

Mahomes, who signed a $450 million contract extension in 2020, would count over $58 million toward the cap without a restructuring.

The seven-year veteran, who is coming off back-to-back Super Bowl victories, has been named the game’s MVP three times, and he has been the league’s MVP twice.

–The Tennessee Titans are signing wide receiver Calvin Ridley to a four-year, $92 million deal, his agents confirmed to ESPN. The deal includes $50 million fully guaranteed for the 29-year-old wideout, who is coming off a 1,016-yard season with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Titans also are signing quarterback Mason Rudolph to a one-year contract worth up to $3.62 million and kicker Nick Folk to a one-year deal for $3.755 million that could increase up to $4.13 million, according to multiple media reports.

–Baker Mayfield weighed multiple options and soon realized Tampa Bay was “home,” leading to his decision to pass on free agency and sign a three-year deal to return to the Buccaneers.

“God had a plan for me, saw it through, and the group we had made it so special last year — a big reason I wanted to come back here,” Mayfield said after putting his autograph on a contract worth up to $115 million.

–Two-time Pro Bowl defensive end Brian Burns officially joined the Giants, two days after New York and Carolina agreed on a trade. The Panthers received a 2024 second-rounder and a 2025 fifth-rounder in the deal for Burns, who reportedly received a five-year deal worth $141 million with $87.5 million in guaranteed money.

–The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced the trade of veteran cornerback Carlton Davis III to Detroit in exchange for a third-round pick in April’s NFL draft. The Bucs sent the Lions two sixth-round picks in the deal.

Tampa Bay also officially released veteran linebacker Shaquil Barrett, a move that will provide nearly $5 million in salary-cap relief.

–Defensive lineman Arik Armstead is expected to draw a crowd in free agency after being released by the San Francisco 49ers. General manager John Lynch confirmed attempts to restructure Armstead’s contract failed to produce an agreement.

–Running back Derrick Henry officially joined the Baltimore Ravens, as the team tweeted a welcome message. He reported landed a two-year, $16 million deal that can be worth up to $20 million.

–The Philadelphia Eagles welcomed running back Saquon Barkley back to the Keystone State. Barkley starred at Penn State before playing the past six seasons with the NFC East rival New York Giants. The 27-year-old free agent agreed to a three-year deal worth a reported $37.75 million.

–The Los Angeles Chargers released receiver Mike Williams after seven seasons. Parting ways with the seventh overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft will save the team $20 million against the cap.

–The Chicago Bears signed quarterback Brett Rypien to a one-year deal. Rypien, 27, likely will compete with Tyson Bagent for the No. 2 job. The team is believed to be eyeing Caleb Williams with the No. 1 pick in April’s draft. The Bears are also expected to trade Justin Fields.

–Right tackle Morgan Moses reportedly is headed back to the Jets.

Moses, who played in 17 games (16 starts) for New York in 2021, would return in a trade with the Baltimore Ravens. The teams reportedly are swapping fourth-round picks and the Ravens also would pick up a sixth-round selection.

–The Philadelphia Eagles and All-Pro kicker Jake Elliott agreed to a four-year contract extension through the 2028 season. While the team announced the extension, no financial details were disclosed. ESPN valued the deal at $24 million.

–The 49ers acquired defensive tackle Maliek Collins from the Texans, according to multiple reports. San Fransisco reportedly is sending Houston a 2024 seventh-round pick.

–The Carolina Panthers are signing cornerback Dane Jackson to a two-year deal worth up to $14.5 million, NFL Network reported.

–The Washington Commanders are re-signing safety and All-Pro special teams player Jeremy Reaves to a two-year contract, according to multiple media reports.

–Field Level Media

Nov 5, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Tyron Smith (77) in action against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Cowboys don’t plan to re-sign LT Tyron Smith

The Dallas Cowboys are planning to split with eight-time Pro Bowl left tackle Tyron Smith, making the veteran a free agent when the new league year begins March 13, NFL Network reported Saturday.

Last month, The Dallas Morning News reported that Smith didn’t plan to retire and had hoped to return for a 14th season with the Cowboys.

The protector of Dak Prescott’s blind side, the 33-year-old Smith likely should have several suitors in free agency.

Including 13 in 2023, Smith has started in all 161 games he has played since Dallas drafted him ninth overall in 2011.

Smith, however, has not played a full season since 2015 due to injuries and since Dallas drafted his heir apparent, Tyler Smith, in the first round in 2022.

–Field Level Media

Nov 7, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA;  Baltimore Ravens linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul (4) signals a 4th down stop against the New Orleans Saints during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Jason Pierre-Paul looking to join contender

Free agent pass-rusher Jason Pierre-Paul is willing to sign with a playoff contender’s practice squad, NFL Network reported Wednesday.

The 34-year-old veteran has been on the market since March after starting 13 games for the Baltimore Ravens last season.

Pierre-Paul is a three-time Pro Bowl selection and a two-time Super Bowl champion with 94.5 career sacks in 179 games (150 starts) with the New York Giants (2010-17), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2018-21) and Ravens.

Drafted 15th overall by the Giants in 2010, he has recorded 629 tackles, 167 quarterback hits, 21 forced fumbles, 10 fumble recoveries, five interceptions and three defensive touchdowns while playing defensive end and outside linebacker.

–Field Level Media

Dec 11, 2022; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Mike Hilton (21) brings down Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt (27) in the second half at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

Report: RB Kareem Hunt leaves Indianapolis without contract

Free agent running back Kareem Hunt received an offer from the Indianapolis Colts, according to NFL Network, but per the report, the sides did not come to an agreement on Wednesday.

NFL Network also reported that Hunt is being sought by other teams, including the New Orleans Saints, whom Hunt visited on Tuesday.

Before hosting Hunt, the Colts signed veteran free agent running back Kenyan Drake earlier this week and announced later on Wednesday that they had signed free agent running back Jason Huntley.

The Colts are without star Jonathan Taylor, who remains on the physically unable to perform list due to a lingering ankle injury. Taylor is also embroiled in a contract dispute with the Colts.

In 49 games over the past four seasons in Cleveland, the 28-year-old Hunt produced 1,874 rushing yards, 973 receiving yards and 23 total touchdowns. He was a third-round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs in 2017 and made the Pro Bowl in his first season when he led the NFL with 1,327 rushing yards.

Huntley had 18 carries for 70 yards in six games with the Philadelphia Eagles (2020-21). The 25-year-old spent most of the 2022 season on the practice squad of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

–Field Level Media

Jan 8, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (4) runs the ball during the first quarter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports

RB Dalvin Cook hits open market after Vikings release

The Minnesota Vikings officially released running back Dalvin Cook on Friday after an unsuccessful last-ditch effort to trade the four-time Pro Bowl selection.

Coming off four straight 1,000-yard seasons, Cook is now free to sign with any other team after 4:01 p.m. ET on Friday.

Cook had $2 million guaranteed remaining on his contract with the Vikings, who will take a $5.1 million dead cap hit this season.

A second-round pick in 2017, Cook rushed for 5,993 yards and 47 touchdowns and added 221 receptions for 1,794 yards and five scores in 73 career games (72 starts) in Minnesota.

“I hold Dalvin in the highest regard and am grateful for his contributions on and off the field. Dalvin is a tough, dynamic player and a respected leader by his teammates, which was evident by his multiple seasons as a team captain,” Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said.

“… We appreciate Dalvin’s positivity, energy and leadership and will be pulling for him in the future.”

Rumored landing spots for Cook during the past couple of months have included the Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos.

Cook, who turns 28 in August, is recovering from offseason surgery to repair a shoulder injury that was originally sustained in 2019. His agency said in February that Cook is expected to be healthy for the start of the season.

The Vikings appear prepared to enter the 2023 season with Alexander Mattison as their lead back. The 2019 third-round pick rushed for 283 yards and five scores in 17 games last season. Ty Chandler and rookie DeWayne McBride are also on the depth chart.

Cook leaves Minnesota ranked third on the franchise rushing list behind Adrian Peterson and Robert Smith.

“Dalvin has been an incredible leader for this organization for years, and I quickly noticed how respected he is among everyone in our building,” general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said. “I’m fortunate to have been around such an enjoyable, talented and hardworking person like him over the last year.

“He’s etched his name in Vikings history with his production on the field but also by consistently giving back to the Vikings Foundation. We are thankful for everything Dalvin brought to the Vikings and sincerely wish him all the best in his future.”

Vikings owner and chairman Zygi Wilf also released a statement following Cook’s release.

“Over the past six years, Dalvin has meant so much to our organization. His love for playing football in front of the Vikings fan base was evident, and that connection branched into the community where he made an impact around the Twin Cities,” Wilf said. “Dalvin helped us launch the Vikings Table food truck and was a constant advocate for the Minnesota Vikings Foundation. His leadership in the locker room and all-out effort on the field was undeniable and a key reason he was a multi-year team captain. We are extremely grateful for all Dalvin has done for the Vikings and look forward to welcoming him back as a Legend.”

–Field Level Media=

Dec 17, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (90) is introduced before the game between the Browns and the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Jadeveon Clowney up for possible return to Texans

Free-agent defensive end Jadeveon Clowney said he wouldn’t mind a return engagement with the Houston Texans.

That’s according to what Clowney, 30, told KRIV-TV in Houston. He said his representatives talked to Texans officials about the possibility.

“It would be nice,” Clowney said in the interview with the Houston station. “All my family is here. Friends here. The guys I work out with can help me take care of my body a lot better being right up under them. … You never know. You never know what will happen. You never know what’s in front of you. I see what they’ve got here. They’re putting the pieces together. I’m a big fan of their new head coach [DeMeco Ryans].”

The Texans selected Clowney with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. He spent five seasons in Houston, making three Pro Bowl teams.

Traded to the Seahawks prior to the 2019 season, he spent one year in Seattle, followed by one with the Tennessee Titans and the past two seasons with the Cleveland Browns.

This offseason, the Texas signed defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins and made defensive end Will Anderson the No. 3 overall pick in the NFL draft last month.

Clowney has appeared in 109 games (98 starts) and has tallied 320 tackles (90 for loss), 43 sacks, 109 quarterback hits, 23 passes defensed and one interception.

–Field Level Media