The Baltimore Ravens and guard Kevin Zeitler have agreed to a three-year deal pending a physical, the team announced Monday.The pact is worth $22.5 million and includes $16 million guaranteed, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.Zeitler was cut by the New York Giants last week. The Seattle Seahawks were also reportedly interested in signing him, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.Zeitler's arrival in Baltimore will mark his third career stop in the AFC North. He played five years with the Cincinnati Bengals after being selected in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft. He later spent two seasons with the Cleveland Browns.The 31-year-old guard should help the Ravens' interior offensive line. He started all 16 games for the Giants in 2020 and has made 134 career starts.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

To Michael Thomas, his quarterback Drew Brees was a hero.The New Orleans Saints star wide receiver wrote a 900-word letter following the future Hall of Famer's retirement announcement Sunday, thanking Brees for the several moments they shared.Thomas described Brees as his hero and apologized for not being able to give the signal-caller a second career Super Bowl title.

The San Francisco 49ers have agreed to terms with fullback Kyle Juszczyk on a five-year deal worth $27 million, reports NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.More to come.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Minnesota Vikings and Anthony Barr are working on a restructured contract that would make the linebacker a free agent in 2022, two years ahead of schedule, sources told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.As part of the renegotiation, Barr would reportedly reduce his salary from $12.3 million in 2021. The Vikings once considered the seven-year veteran a potential cut candidate as the franchise is facing a cap crunch with the new league year on tap.Barr, who played only two games in 2020 before suffering a season-ending pectoral injury, made four straight Pro Bowls from 2015-18 - though his play slipped in 2019.The 28-year-old nearly left Minnesota to sign with the New York Jets in March 2019, but he backed out of his verbal agreement with the AFC East club. Barr wound up re-signing with the Vikings on a five-year, $67.5-million contract.Minnesota drafted Barr ninth overall out of UCLA in 2014.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees has announced his retirement after 20 seasons in the NFL.

The Green Bay Packers are attempting to retain running back Aaron Jones but have run into obstacles regarding his value, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports.Green Bay is unwilling to give Jones a contract that would rank near or at the top of the running-back market, Pelissero adds.Jones didn't receive the franchise tag from the Packers and is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent. Opposing teams can negotiate with Jones starting Monday at 12 p.m. ET if Green Bay doesn't re-sign him before then.The Packers have used the 26-year-old as their primary ball carrier in recent years. Jones has rushed for 2,188 yards and tallied 30 total touchdowns since 2019.All-Pro center Corey Linsley and running back Jamaal Williams are also slated to hit the free-agent market.Green Bay spent a second-round pick on running back A.J. Dillon last year. Dillon projects to receive an increased role if Jones and Williams aren't re-signed.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New England Patriots are trading right tackle Marcus Cannon to the Houston Texans, sources told the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.The teams will also swap picks in the fourth, fifth, and sixth rounds, a league source told Jim McBride of the Boston Globe.The deal clears $7,056,250 off the Patriots' salary cap in 2021 while eating $2,566,668 in dead money, according to Over The Cap.Cannon, 32, opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns.New England drafted the TCU product in the fifth round of the 2011 draft. He's played in 115 games with 69 starts over nine seasons.The move comes as new Texans general manager Nick Caserio, a former Patriots executive, attempts to fix a roster that finished 4-12 last campaign.Cannon's presence should bolster Houston's offensive line entering next season. It could also produce a battle for the starting right tackle job between Cannon and former first-round selection Tytus Howard. The nine-year veteran may also be in line for a move to guard.Meanwhile, New England recently traded for tackle Trent Brown. He's projected to contend for a starting spot alongside Michael Onwenu and Isaiah Wynn.Earlier Sunday, Houston reportedly acquired pass-rusher Shaq Lawson from the Miami Dolphins for linebacker Benardrick McKinney.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Patrick Mahomes is venturing into the world of NFTs.The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback is launching a digital art gallery called "The Museum of Mahomes," where he'll sell collectibles as NFTs, or non-fungible tokens - unique, digital assets that exist on a blockchain."I'm looking to break boundaries and make history on and off the field," Mahomes said in an interview with Yasmin Khorram of CNBC. "That's the great thing about being an athlete these days, you have so many outlets and opportunities to expand your brand and make an impact."The gallery, which opens on March 17, will consist of three tiers. The first tier features three art pieces memorializing special moments in Mahomes' life and career, with prices ranging from $2,500 to $7,500. The second tier features a jewel-encrusted helmet and football priced at $15,000 apiece, and the final tier is a one-of-a-kind piece that will be revealed on the day of the auction.A portion of proceeds is being donated to Mahomes' 15 and the Mahomies Foundation and the Boys & Girls Clubs in Missouri.Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski also got involved in NFTs recently, releasing a series of digital trading cards.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Houston Texans are sending linebacker Benardrick McKinney to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for pass-rusher Shaq Lawson, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Additionally, the Dolphins are sending Houston a 2021 sixth-round pick for a seventh-rounder, according to ESPN's Cameron Wolfe.The Texans allowed McKinney to seek a trade over the last few days, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Miami and the Tennessee Titans reportedly expressed the most interest.McKinney helps the Dolphins defense following linebacker Kyle Van Noy's release earlier this week. Miami is also facing the possible free-agent departure of Elandon Roberts.McKinney, a former Pro Bowl linebacker, was limited to only four games in 2020. However, he's recorded over 100 tackles in three of his last five seasons.The 28-year-old has three years and $25.25 million in salary remaining on his contract, according to Spotrac.Lawson figures to help the Texans' pass rush. He recorded four sacks and 18 quarterback hits over seven starts for Miami last season.

Baltimore Ravens edge rusher Matt Judon is one of three notable defenders on the Cleveland Browns' radar with free agency set to begin, sources told Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.The Browns reportedly also have their sights on New York Jets cornerback Brian Poole and Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Denzel Perryman.Cleveland is expected to prioritize defensive upgrades in the offseason as its offense progressed significantly in 2020 under first-year head coach Kevin Stefanski.Judon, who spent the last five seasons with the AFC North rival Ravens, would fill a need opposite Myles Garrett. The Browns seek a pass-rusher to replace Olivier Vernon, who underwent Achilles surgery in January and will be a free agent when the market opens.The 28-year-old Judon is coming off back-to-back Pro Bowl selections, though his sack total dipped from 9.5 in 2019 to six in 2020. Regardless, he's expected to be highly coveted in a market of pass-rushers that also includes Haason Reddick, Bud Dupree, Yannick Ngakoue, and Carl Lawson.Poole is likely to pursue a multi-year deal after outplaying consecutive one-year pacts with the Jets. The 28-year-old does most of his work in the slot, where he's earned strong coverage grades the last two seasons.Perryman is expected to leave the Chargers after seeing his role reduced in 2020. The six-year veteran had 48 tackles, a sack, and a pass breakup in 13 appearances last year.Free agency doesn't officially begin until March 17, but teams can start contacting players from other clubs Monday.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pending free-agent tight end Hunter Henry isn't closing the door on signing a long-term deal with the Los Angeles Chargers."I'm not ruling out the Chargers and I won't rule out the Chargers," Henry told TMZ Sports.The Chargers didn't use the franchise tag on Henry by the March 9 deadline, allowing him to hit the open market.General manager Tom Telesco said earlier this month the salary-cap decrease makes it challenging to retain Henry, but Telesco added that he's keeping all options open.With his first free agency upcoming, Henry said he's eyeing a destination that will provide him with quality quarterback play and financial security."I think (a) good quarterback always helps, makes my job easier," Henry said. "And then, obviously, you have to look at the financial side of things, too. ... At the same time, you have to have a balance."Henry has battled injuries throughout his career, failing to play a full 16-game season since entering the NFL in 2016. However, he recorded 613 receiving yards and a career-best 60 receptions in 2020. Henry is expected to be one of the most sought-after tight ends on the market."Whatever happens, happens," Henry noted. "The ball's in my court in a way, that's the nice part about it."Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Buffalo Bills safety Jordan Poyer shared an inspiring story Saturday about a personal battle off the field, opening up about his struggle with an alcohol addiction one year after giving up drinking.

The Los Angeles Chargers released veteran cornerback Casey Hayward on Saturday, the team announced.Hayward joined the Chargers in 2016 and had one year left on a three-year, $33.25-million extension signed in 2018. His release will save Los Angeles $9.75 million in salary-cap space, according to SB Nation's Jason B. Hirschhorn.The 31-year-old appeared in 78 games through five seasons with the Chargers, racking up 14 interceptions and 66 pass breakups. He led the league in interceptions in 2016 and earned two Pro Bowl nods while with the team.Hayward shared a farewell message on Instagram, writing, "Wish we could've done more."

The New York Giants and Nate Solder agreed in principle to a reworked deal for the offensive tackle to return to the team, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Solder opted out of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic but said recently that he intends to play in 2021. The veteran was set to earn $10 million and carry a cap hit of $16.5 million this upcoming campaign in the penultimate year of his contract.The 32-year-old presumably took a pay cut in order to secure his place on New York's roster. The NFC East club could have saved $10 million against the cap by designating Solder as a post-June 1 release, per Over The Cap.Solder will likely enter the Giants' training camp as a backup.New York inserted 2020 first-round pick Andrew Thomas at left tackle after Solder opted out and has 2020 third-rounder Matt Peart set to take over the right tackle spot from pending free agent Cameron Fleming.Solder, who won two Super Bowls as a member of the New England Patriots, was ranked 54th among offensive tackles in 2019 by PFF. He performed solidly in run blocking but struggled mightily in pass protection, allowing the third-most sacks in the league with 11.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The San Francisco 49ers are apparently doing all they can to retain Trent Williams before the Pro Bowl left tackle hits free agency."I'm told they've made strong offers for him so far in their negotiations and are hopeful that something will get done, perhaps before the start of the league year," NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported Friday on "NFL Now."The 49ers "are trying their best to get this deal done," added Garafolo.Williams hinted at re-signing with San Francisco earlier in the week, though Garafolo said the veteran expects a market-value deal if he's to stay with the NFC West club.The 32-year-old will be one of the biggest names on the open market if he doesn't reach a deal with the 49ers. Williams was ranked as the No. 1 player on theScore's top 100 free agents of 2021.Williams will likely command a deal near the top of the left tackle market. Green Bay Packers veteran David Bakhtiari's $23 million per season currently leads the position.Williams returned to top-tier form and made his eighth career Pro Bowl appearance after being traded from the Washington Football Team last offseason following a year away from football.The two-day negotiating period begins Monday ahead of the official start of free agency Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The 2021 NFL league year begins in a few days, which means the frantic rush of free agency is almost upon us. A year ago, we saw quick and decisive changes to the title oddsboard as teams such as the Buccaneers, Bills, and Colts reinvented themselves with trades and free-agent signings.That sort of offseason frenzy will almost certainly happen again this year, given the talent of the free-agent pool and the uncertainty at quarterback across the league. Here are the current title odds and a few teams worth targeting ahead of free agency.TEAMODDSKansas City Chiefs+500Buffalo Bills+700Tampa Bay Buccaneers+800Green Bay Packers+800Los Angeles Rams+1100San Francisco 49ers+1400Baltimore Ravens+1400New Orleans Saints+1500Seattle Seahawks+1500Indianapolis Colts+1700Cleveland Browns+2000Dallas Cowboys+2000Pittsburgh Steelers+2500Tennessee Titans+2500Miami Dolphins+2800Los Angeles Chargers+3000Chicago Bears+3500New England Patriots+3500Arizona Cardinals+3800Minnesota Vikings+4000Carolina Panthers+4500Philadelphia Eagles+6000Las Vegas Raiders+6000Washington Football Team+6000Denver Broncos+7000Atlanta Falcons+7000Cincinnati Bengals+7500New York Giants+7500New York Jets+7500Detroit Lions+12500Jacksonville Jaguars+15000Houston Texans+15000Indianapolis Colts (+1700)Never bet against Colts general manager Chris Ballard, who somehow has nearly $50 million to play with in free agency - easily the most among 2020 playoff teams.Indianapolis already made one big splash by trading for former Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz, a move that shortened the team's title odds. More moves could be on the horizon. This year's free-agent class is loaded with talented pass-rushers, which was an issue for the Colts a year ago. So was wide receiver, another position that boasts plenty of available talent.Miami Dolphins (+2800)The Dolphins blossomed a year early in 2020, winning 10 games behind a rookie quarterback and a roster cobbled together with new additions. Now, they have another projected $30 million in cap space to fill in the gaps.Tua Tagovailoa will likely be this team's starter in 2021, though Miami has the assets to make a run at Deshaun Watson if it desires. The Fins are well-positioned to target elite weapons - Kenny Golladay, anyone? - to surround either signal-caller or bolster their offensive and defensive lines.Chicago Bears (+3500)I've been hyping the Bears as offseason values since they opened at 50-1 in early February. This price adjustment suggests the market feels the same way, but I'd still buy at this price ahead of what could be a monumental offseason.Chicago used its franchise tag on star receiver Allen Robinson, who was easily the most valuable player primed for free agency. Mitchell Trubisky's fifth-year option was declined, as the front office still has ambitions of trading for a top-tier quarterback. If the Bears come up empty in the QB market, this ticket will be of substandard value. But if they land one, you'll be very glad you bought early.Carolina Panthers (+4500)The Panthers are also potential buyers in the Watson sweepstakes and are quietly building toward a playoff-caliber roster after a 5-11 season. Carolina's offense showed legitimate upside with Teddy Bridgewater despite missing star Christian McCaffrey for all but three games in 2020. Improvements along the O-line could unlock this unit's full potential.Where much of Carolina's roughly $25 million in projected cap space should go, though, is on defense. The Panthers have been longing for an impact linebacker since Luke Kuechly's retirement after the 2019 campaign, and they have a clear opportunity to acquire one. If that side of the ball is adequate next season, this team's outlook will be dramatically different in 2021.(Odds source: theScore Bet)C Jackson Cowart is a betting writer for theScore. He's an award-winning journalist with stops at The Charlotte Observer, The San Diego Union-Tribune, The Times Herald-Record, and BetChicago. He's also a proud graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, and his love of sweet tea is rivaled only by that of a juicy prop bet. Find him on Twitter @CJacksonCowart.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tom Brady will be due $41.075 million for the 2021 campaign as part of his new contract, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports.Brady's new deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is a two-year, $50-million pact that runs through the 2022 season, Pelissero adds. The quarterback was already under contract for 2021, but his new deal bumps his earnings for this season while adding another year. There are also postseason incentives involved and three void years following 2022.With just over $41 million reportedly coming his way this year, Brady will be due just $8.925 million in 2022. The contract's structure makes another extension possible next offseason should Brady want to continue playing, Pelissero notes.Brady's 2021 salary-cap number will be just $9.075 million, giving the Buccaneers additional flexibility this offseason.Tampa has spent the majority of the offseason working to re-sign its own players. The team already franchised tagged receiver Chris Godwin and signed linebacker Lavonte David to a two-year extension.Brady, 43, led the Buccaneers to a Super Bowl in his first season with the club. He's previously mentioned the possibility of playing past the age of 45.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Another Tom Brady rookie card appears set to enter the record books.Bidding on an autographed Brady 2000 Playoff Contenders Championship Rookie Ticket card has already reached $1.94 million at Lelands, with 20 days remaining until the auction closes, according to Action Network's Darren Rovell.

Washington Football Team head coach Ron Rivera shed some light on the club's decision to bench and ultimately cut 2019 first-round pick Dwayne Haskins during a roller-coaster 2020 season.Speaking on "The Colin Cowherd Podcast," Rivera said he found it difficult to harness the young quarterback."I tried to come to terms with him," Rivera said. "He's a very talented player. He's got an NFL arm, a legit arm, and there's a part of him that he wants to, but something keeps getting in the way.""I'm not sure what it was, and that was the hard part, because he puts in the time, and then he doesn't. And you're wondering, 'Where is he? What's he doing?' You see him over here and you go, 'OK,' and then you don't see him. So I think the thing that he needs to do is just prioritize."Haskins began the 2020 season under center and led Washington to a Week 1 upset win over the Philadelphia Eagles, but then he struggled in losses over the next three games. Rivera made a switch at quarterback, and Haskins was inactive for the following four contests."We sat Dwayne down, put the ball in (Kyle Allen's) hands, and what I decided was, I could continue with one guy and forsake 52, or I could put one guy aside and try and develop the other 52. And that's what I decided," Rivera said. "We had an opportunity to see the rest of the team grow because it wasn't coming together for Dwayne."After sitting for eight straight contests, Haskins returned to the field in a Week 14 win, and then he lost two consecutive starts. He was cut the day after a Week 16 defeat.Haskins' tenure with Washington came to an end following 16 games, and he signed a futures contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Jan. 21."The kid, as I said, he's talented. And if he ever does get it, he's going to make an impact," Rivera said.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Buffalo Bills re-signed right tackle Daryl Williams to a three-year extension Friday, preventing him from hitting free agency this offseason, the team announced.The agreement is worth $28.2 million and contains nearly $14 million guaranteed, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.Williams was expected to be one of the most coveted offensive linemen on the market after putting together arguably his best season in 2020. The 28-year-old took a one-year, $2.25-million deal with Buffalo last year after spending five campaigns with the Carolina Panthers.Though he had been effective at times in the past, Williams was often beset by injuries while with the Panthers. Prior to last season, he had played 16 games in a season only once.Williams is the second marquee player to re-sign in Buffalo before free agency. The Bills struck a four-year deal with linebacker Matt Milano on Thursday.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

All-Pro right guard Brandon Scherff has signed the franchise tender from the Washington Football Team, reports Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.By agreeing to the franchise tag, Scherff locks in his $18-million contract for the 2021 season. He's now set to play his second consecutive campaign under the franchise tag.The two sides still get until July 15 to work out a long-term contract.Scherff only allowed one sack and was called for one penalty over 13 games this past season. He's been a Pro Bowler four times over six campaigns.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Kansas City Chiefs are expected to restructure the contract of star quarterback Patrick Mahomes in order to save $17 million against the cap, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Mahomes' $21.7-million roster bonus reportedly will be converted into a signing bonus.The Chiefs are currently around $4.4 million over the NFL's $182.5-million salary cap after releasing starting offensive tackle Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz on Thursday, per Over The Cap.The move should allow the reigning AFC champions to make some free-agent additions as they look to bounce back from their Super Bowl LV loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.Mahomes signed a league-record 10-year, $450-million contract in July.The former NFL MVP is coming off another All-Pro season in which he threw for 4,740 yards and 38 touchdowns against six interceptions en route to the second Super Bowl appearance of his career.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tom Brady signed a one-year contract extension with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Friday, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

The NFL informed teams Friday they can return to war rooms for the 2021 draft with COVID-19 safety measures in place, a source told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.Clubs must submit their draft-room plans to Dr. Allen Sills, the league's chief medical officer, by March 26 for review and approval, notes Pelissero. Personnel in war rooms will reportedly be required to wear masks, physically distance, and step out to eat or drink.NFL team personnel conducted the 2020 draft virtually from their homes due to the pandemic, with commissioner Roger Goodell reading the picks from his basement. The league canceled the 2021 scouting combine because of COVID-19 concerns after playing the 2020 season under strict safety guidelines.The 2021 draft is scheduled to take place in Cleveland from April 29 to May 1. The NFL hopes to move forward with a live event, provided it can ensure adequate safety precautions.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find positional rankings, additional analysis, and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.All the excitement that free agency brings makes it easy to forget that many players signing deals will ultimately let their new teams down.After outlining players we expect to gain fantasy value in free agency, it's time to identify players who are primed to disappoint.JuJu Smith-Schuster Nic Antaya / Getty Images Sport / GettyWhen a 24-year-old receiver with a 111-catch, 1,426-yard, seven-touchdown season on his resume hits the open market, NFL teams and fantasy managers would normally fight to acquire him. This time around, unfortunately, it's buyer beware.The big stat lines that Smith-Schuster posted in his first two seasons playing alongside Antonio Brown in Pittsburgh look much different than his last two campaigns after Brown's departure. Smith-Schuster has been exposed as a limited player who can produce adequate numbers when peppered with targets but not someone who adds much value to his touches.The former second-round pick saw his yards per catch decline dramatically from 13.1 in 2019 to a career-low 8.6 this past season. While some of that can be attributed to Ben Roethlisberger's declining skills, subpar quarterback play didn't stop the Steelers' other wideouts like Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool from delivering a YPC above 10 and many more impact performances. Smith-Schuster's lone 100-yard game in 2020 came in Week 17 and required a staggering 19 targets to get him there.Despite ending the year tied for 13th in targets among receivers, Smith-Schuster finished 60th in total air yards, according to airyards.com. Volume will be important for him no matter where he signs, and that's worrisome since he's leaving the league's highest-volume passing attack.Given his age, name recognition, and former production, Smith-Schuster is poised to secure one of the bigger free-agent contracts at his position this year. And with a splashy new deal making headlines, his fantasy stock is sure to be overinflated. Don't be fooled, he's a volume-dependent slot receiver and not the burgeoning No. 1 option he appeared to be developing into early in his career.James Conner Joe Sargent / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe Steelers will likely be forced to watch several players leave in free agency while the club battles with a reduced salary cap. Like Smith-Schuster, running back Conner will become available when the new league year begins, and is almost certain to sign with a new club.It will be interesting to see what kind of market he'll command as a ball carrier who's missed 14 games over his four NFL campaigns and turns 26 years old in May. Though he started the 2020 season with three 100-yard efforts in his first five outings, Conner ultimately broke down as the year went along, and the Steelers were forced to reduce his workload because of it.After his breakout in 2018 - when he slid into an ideal situation vacated by Le'Veon Bell and averaged 113 total yards per game - Conner's numbers dipped to 71.5 and 72 yards per contest the last two seasons, respectively.Given Conner's questionable durability and being two years removed from his one productive season, it's hard to envision a team being willing to trust him as its unchallenged lead back entering Week 1. You can expect him to find a home as a contributor in a committee backfield, and based on what we've seen from other comparable runners at this stage of their careers, it might take a while for Conner to receive an offer.It's possible that Conner will pop up on the fantasy radar with a successful stint as a spot starter, but he'll be a risky player to draft regardless of his landing spot.T.Y. Hilton Justin Casterline / Getty Images Sport / GettyWhen receivers turn 30 years old, fantasy managers need to be mindful of the type of players they are and if they're transitioning to a new phase in their careers. Some stars like Julio Jones and Larry Fitzgerald can enjoy success well into their 30s; for others, the drop-off can be much more swift.Hilton, who turned 31 last season, is coming off his second straight disappointing campaign, and it's safe to wonder whether his best days are behind him. Aside from a four-game stretch when he was able to take advantage of the Texans' and Raiders' subpar defenses, Hilton failed to reach 70 yards in any other contest.Wideouts reliant on speed are often the most susceptible to a sharp decline, and that appears to be the case with Hilton. His yards per game have dropped below 60 in each of the last two seasons - the first time that's happened since his rookie year in 2012 - and only so much of that can be pinned on the Colts' quarterback play.The veteran also faces an uncertain future with a new club. His name will still draw headlines wherever he signs, but his days of being a 1,000-yard producer are over. Hilton will likely mimic the last few years of Emmanuel Sanders' career - a role player whose big games are few and far between.With so much young NFL talent at receiver, you're better off taking a chance on an unproven twentysomething with upside rather than clogging up a roster spot on an inconsistent and declining asset like Hilton.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Houston Texans and free-agent linebacker Christian Kirksey agreed to a one-year contract worth up to $4.5 million, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Kirksey spent the 2020 campaign with the Green Bay Packers, where he posted 77 tackles, two sacks, and two interceptions over 11 contests. The 28-year-old played his first six seasons with the Cleveland Browns and reached the 100-tackle benchmark twice.Houston fielded one of the NFL's worst defenses in 2020, as the unit surrendered 416.8 yards and 29 points per game.Kirksey is the second notable veteran signing for the Texans in two days, as they agreed to a one-year pact Thursday with running back Mark Ingram.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New England Patriots and quarterback Cam Newton are finalizing a one-year deal worth close to $14 million, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.Newton joined Bill Belichick's squad last year after nine seasons with the Carolina Panthers. He scored 20 total touchdowns and earned a 7-8 record as New England's starter.The 31-year-old was on the open market for nearly three months last offseason after his release from Carolina but has opted to return to the Patriots prior to the 2021 league year.Though he was the team's primary starter in 2020, the former MVP is likely to face competition in training camp. New England currently holds the 15th overall pick in April's draft and has been linked to other free agents and trade candidates.Newton started strongly last season, winning two of his first three starts, but he tested positive for COVID-19 in early October, missed one game as a result, and proceeded to struggle down the stretch.He completed nearly 66% of his passes, but the three-time Pro Bowler set career lows (among full seasons) with 2,657 passing yards and eight touchdowns through the air in 2020.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New Orleans Saints continue to work their magic to get under the NFL's $182.5-million salary cap.The Saints have restructured wide receiver Michael Thomas' contract, gaining $8.7 million in cap room, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.New Orleans has already reworked the deals of safety Malcolm Jenkins, guard Andrus Peat, defensive end Cam Jordan, and linebacker Demario Davis to help alleviate its cap issues.The NFC South team also released wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, cornerback Janoris Jenkins, and linebacker Kwon Alexander in recent days to save more than $19.5 million against the cap.The Saints were once about $65 million over the cap, by far the worst such mark in the league. But the club should have that number down to roughly $16.8 million after reportedly restructuring Thomas' deal, according to Over The Cap.Thomas, 28, had an injury-plagued 2020 season, finishing the year with 40 catches for 438 yards and no touchdowns. He broke the single-season NFL catch record with 149 receptions for 1,725 yards in 2019.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Houston Texans haven't held internal discussions or entertained trade offers for star quarterback Deshaun Watson, a source told NFL reporter Josina Anderson.New Texans head coach David Culley recently said on the "Huddle and Flow" podcast that Watson is his starting signal-caller "as of right now." Culley explained the situation further on Thursday, saying "we are very committed to Deshaun as our quarterback."Watson has reportedly demanded a trade due to his frustration with Houston's front office over the process of hiring general manager Nick Caserio and Culley.The Texans have reportedly ignored all inquiries from potential suitors.Watson's current contract contains a no-trade clause, giving him the power to reject possible destinations. He's signed through 2025 after inking a four-year, $156-million extension last year.The three-time Pro Bowler set career highs with 4,823 passing yards and 33 touchdowns in 2020. He's posted a 28-25 record as a starter since entering the league in 2017.The New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Denver Broncos, San Francisco 49ers, and Carolina Panthers have been linked to Watson.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Houston Texans' stance that Deshaun Watson will be under center for them this upcoming season hasn't wavered since the quarterback's trade request came to light.But when asked Thursday if Watson will be the starter in 2021, Texans head coach David Culley appeared to open the door on the possibility of the signal-caller having his wish granted."He is our starting quarterback as of right now," Culley said on the "Huddle and Flow" podcast. "He is our starting quarterback. Things happen between now and then. We'll see what happens."

The Buffalo Bills are re-signing linebacker Matt Milano to a four-year, $44-million contract that includes $24 million guaranteed, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.More to come.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Starting tackle Taylor Moton has signed the franchise tender offered by the Carolina Panthers at the franchise-tag deadline, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports.Moton will earn $13.754-million guaranteed for the 2021 season.The Panthers still have until July 15 to come to terms on a possible long-term contract with Moton.The former second-round pick of the 2017 draft has held down the right side of the Panthers' offensive line for the past three seasons.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Kansas City Chiefs released left tackle Eric Fisher and right tackle Mitchell Schwartz, the team announced Thursday.The moves create nearly $18.1 million in salary-cap space, according to ESPN's Field Yates.The Chiefs are also allowing center Austin Reiter to hit the open market, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.Fisher was the first overall pick in the 2013 draft and has been a starter ever since. However, the 30-year-old suffered a torn Achilles in January's AFC Championship game.Schwartz battled a lingering back injury last season. The Chiefs were without both linemen for the Super Bowl.The former Cleveland Brown signed with Kansas City in 2016 as a free agent and has been one of the NFL's premier right tackles since, thriving in both pass protection and run blocking prior to his injuries.The Chiefs will likely look to upgrade the offensive tackle position via free agency or April's draft, where they hold the 31st overall pick.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Houston Texans have agreed to a one-year deal with veteran running back Mark Ingram worth up to $3 million, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.The Ravens released Ingram in January after a two-season stint in Baltimore.The 31-year-old rushed for 1,018 yards (5 per carry) and 10 touchdowns in 2019 but is coming off a subpar campaign. Ingram had just 72 carries for 299 yards and two scores through 11 appearances last year and was a healthy scratch for four of the Ravens' final five games, including two postseason bouts.Houston will be Ingram's third team. The former first-round pick out of Alabama also played for the New Orleans Saints from 2011 to 2018.The three-time Pro Bowler will join a Texans backfield looking to improve. Houston averaged just 91.6 rushing yards per game last year with veteran David Johnson leading the way, ranking 31st in the league in that category.The Texans recently released running back Duke Johnson, who finished third on the team with 77 carries in 2020. Johnson caught 72 passes for 659 yards and four touchdowns during his two seasons with Houston.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New Orleans Saints released cornerback Janoris Jenkins, the team announced Thursday.New Orleans will save $7 million against the salary cap for 2021 as a result. The veteran defender was due $11.2 million this year with a cap hit of $14.2 million, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.The cap-strapped Saints continue to re-tool their roster to get under the salary limit. Emmanuel Sanders and Kwon Alexander were recently cut to save money, while Malcolm Jenkins, Cameron Jordan, and Demario Davis had their contracts restructured.Jenkins joined New Orleans in 2019 via waivers and started 14 games over the last two seasons opposite Marshon Lattimore. The 32-year-old made 55 tackles and intercepted three passes in 2020.Coach Sean Payton's squad will move forward with Lattimore, Patrick Robinson, P.J. Williams, and Ken Crawley at cornerback, though Robinson may be another cap casualty prior to the new league year.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Orlando Brown Jr. is not backing off his demand to be traded by the Baltimore Ravens.Brown spoke about the request for the first time since he insisted last month he plays left tackle moving forward.The 24-year-old said his late father, former Ravens right tackle Orlando Brown Sr., wished his son would play left tackle."He always told me, 'Don't settle for playing right tackle,'" Brown said, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. "'Make sure that when it comes time and you get to every level, you're playing left.'"He added: "It's a lot more emotional or spiritual for me, I guess you could say, playing left tackle."Six teams have contacted Brown's representation since his trade demand, Garafolo adds.The Ravens selected Brown in the third round of the 2018 draft. The Oklahoma alum spent the majority of his collegiate career on the left side before moving to right tackle for his first two seasons as a pro.Brown slid to left tackle in 2020 following Ronnie Stanley's season-ending ankle injury. He played 700 snaps on the blindside compared to 345 at right tackle, according to PFF. The versatile lineman earned his second Pro Bowl nod for his efforts last year.He said the decision has nothing to do with Stanley and that they're good friends. However, after experiencing success and recalling his father's vision, Brown sees his ideal position as left tackle."It's a situation where Baltimore knows my plan isn't to play right tackle," he said. "I feel more comfortable on the left side. That's where I had played my whole life (before joining the Ravens). I'm a better left tackle than right tackle."Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta addressed the situation earlier this week."We'll do what's best for Orlando, and we'll do what's best for the Ravens," DeCosta said.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Despite rumors that the Miami Dolphins could look to upgrade their quarterback position this offseason, head coach Brian Flores remains confident in Tua Tagovailoa's growth.The Dolphins are one of a few teams reportedly linked to Deshaun Watson should the Houston Texans trade him, but Flores has his squad preparing for the 2021 campaign with Tagovailoa under center."I'm excited about Tua this upcoming season," Flores told reporters on Thursday. "If you think about his situation last year, coming off the hip (injury), (we) kind of threw him into the fire there. ... I thought he made a lot of improvement, really throughout the course of the season."He added: "I'm all about the development of players - helping them develop and helping them get better. And I think this offseason is really going to be helpful to him."Miami used the No. 5 overall pick on Tagovailoa in the 2020 NFL Draft. He began the season backing up veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick and eventually was promoted to starter.His play as a starter wavered as the season wore on - he was benched multiple times throughout the latter stages of the campaign - but the head coach believes his quarterback's play will be more consistent with a full offseason under his belt."I think he's is a talented player," Flores added. "We here believe in developing players at all positions and I think with an offseason, with OTAs, with more repetitions ... I think they develop and get better. And I think he feels the same way."Tua and I had lunch yesterday. We talk about his family, and a lot of that development is about building relationships. He's doing well, he's confident, I'm confident in him, and I'm looking forward to this offseason."Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Dallas Cowboys and quarterback Dak Prescott finally agreed to a multi-year contract Monday night, one day before the team had to decide whether to use the franchise tag on Prescott for the second year in a row. The deal calls for Prescott to be paid a maximum of $160 million over the next four years. There's a lot that went into how this deal got done, and there are ripple effects for the rest of the quarterback market. Let's dig in.1. This is a good deal for both Prescott and the Cowboys. Prescott's getting paid, so the benefits are obvious. But the Cowboys have the certainty of having locked down a franchise quarterback for years to come, with a contract structure that can help provide some breathing room under the salary cap in the years ahead, which I'll get to in a bit.2. Again, this deal is a bonanza for Prescott. It includes a league-record $66-million signing bonus and an average annual value of $40 million, which is second only to Patrick Mahomes' $45 million. Prescott will collect $75 million in 2021 - also a one-year record for compensation - with a total of $95 million fully guaranteed at signing. He's set to make $126 million in the next three years, with all of that virtually guaranteed. Those are a lot of big numbers that mean nothing in isolation, but I swear I'm going to explain them in context, so please keep reading.3. What is meant by "virtually guaranteed"? Per Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio, Prescott's $31-million base salary in 2023 becomes fully guaranteed on March 22, 2022. Why this matters: Even on the extremely off chance that Prescott degenerates into Carson Wentz in a 10-gallon hat, Dallas will be paying him a fortune in cash and cap for at least three years. Per Over the Cap, the Cowboys would be stuck with a $72.8-million dead-money hit in 2022 if they were to release Prescott after 2021, and $70.6 million if they were to try to move on after 2022.That first figure includes $52.8 million in the remaining prorated signing bonus, plus Prescott's $20-million salary for 2022, which is already fully guaranteed. By this time next year, the prorated bonus amount will be down to $39.6 million, but that $31-million salary for 2023 will also be fully guaranteed. Add it all up, and Prescott's virtually assured of seeing $126 million from this deal. Tom Pennington / Getty Images4. Prescott can also become a free agent after the 2024 season, when he will be about to turn 32. So he can presumably cash in again at that point, when the NFL's QB price point figures to be significantly higher.5. That $66-million signing bonus is important. A lot of teams push a lot of compensation into signing bonuses because they benefit both the player and the team. The player gets that money up-front (or at least within the year), while the team can spread the salary-cap impact out by prorating it over as much as five years. This works to keep the cap consequences down in the short term: Prescott will count for just $22.2 million in 2021, or a mere 12% of the $182.5-million cap. From 2022 through 2024, when the cap presumably will rise again, his cap numbers will be $33.2 million, $44.2 million, and $47.2 million, respectively. But the Cowboys created a way to massage that a bit.6. Prescott's deal is actually for six years, but it's scheduled to void after 2024, with the 2025 and 2026 seasons existing for cap gimmickry. Why this matters: those high 2023 and 2024 cap numbers can actually be brought down, if necessary, by converting a portion of Prescott's base salary into a signing bonus that can then be prorated toward those latter years of the deal. This obviously would mean Prescott still might count against the cap after this contract effectively expires, but by then the cap likely will have gone up by a bunch, too. And if Prescott is still playing at a high level come 2024, the Cowboys will likely extend him again.theScore 7. The Cowboys' year-to-year approach of using the franchise tag handed Prescott a ton of leverage. First, it ensured that the timing of this contract came after Mahomes and Deshaun Watson got their new deals, which resulted in an increase at the top of the market. Second, it also set a floor on what the minimum of Prescott's deal would be. (Salary for a franchise-tagged player is set at the average of the top five players at his position or 120% of his salary from last season.) Had Prescott played on a second tag this year, he would have been paid $37.7 million, and a total of $69.1 million for 2020 and 2021. In other words, that's where his camp's talks with the Cowboys began, and here we are.

Find positional rankings, additional analysis, and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.Welcome to theScore Fantasy Football Podcast, hosted by Justin Boone.Find the show on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, and Anchor.In this episode, theScore's Dan Wilkins and David P. Woods join Boone to discuss the fallout from the franchise-tag deadline and predict which teams will sign the top stars in free agency.

Washington Football Team head coach Ron Rivera spoke glowingly of recently released quarterback Alex Smith, but also shared his fears about putting the veteran passer back on the field following his recovery from a gruesome leg injury."It was always in the back of my head, what if he gets hurt again? What if he hurts that leg again? I'll be the guy that put him back on the field to get him hurt again," Rivera said in a video conference call Wednesday, according to ESPN's John Keim."I struggled with that every day. That was tough."Smith required 17 surgeries to repair his fractured leg, but appeared in 11 games for Washington. He went 5-1 as the starter, leading the team to a division championship and earning the league's Comeback Player of the Year award. Upon his return to training camp prior to the season, he believed the team didn't want him."When I decided to come back, I definitely threw a wrench in the team's plan," Smith said in an interview with GQ Magazine in February. "They didn't see it, didn't want me there, didn't want me to be a part of it, didn't want me to be on the team, the roster, didn't want to give me a chance."Rivera met with Smith prior to the player's release, but he confirmed much of what the quarterback said."We both had a chance to see the other side and perspective. I don't disagree with a lot of things he said. They were fair," Rivera said. "The biggest thing we talked about, there was no road map to get us to where we were. I told him exactly how I felt and how hard it was for us."Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Dallas Cowboys restructured deals to three starting offensive linemen in order to get under the salary cap.The franchise restructured the contracts of left tackle Tyron Smith, right guard Zack Martin, and right tackle La'el Collins in order to save $17 million toward the 2021 salary cap, ESPN's Todd Archer reports. Dallas was nearly $1 million under the cap prior to the moves.The NFL set the 2021 cap at $182.5 million, a drop from $198.2 million in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.The Cowboys' long-term deal with quarterback Dak Prescott also helped the team's 2021 cap prospects. Instead of counting more than $37 million against the cap had he played under the franchise tag, Prescott's cap number is $22.2 million for the 2021 season.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL handed out 36 compensatory picks for the 2021 NFL Draft on Wednesday.Compensatory picks are awarded based on the caliber of free agents a team lost compared to the caliber of free agents it gained the previous year. The league's formula takes salaries, playing time, and postseason honors into account.The Dallas Cowboys received an NFL-high four compensatory picks, while the New England Patriots earned the highest selection at No. 96 overall.Here is a complete breakdown of this year's compensatory picks:(The NFL inadvertently gave the San Francisco 49ers two compensatory picks in Round 3 and has since corrected the mistake.)Round 3PickTeam96Patriots97Chargers98Saints99Cowboys100Titans101Rams10249ers103Rams104Ravens105SaintsRound 4PickTeam138Cowboys139Patriots140Steelers141Rams142Packers143Vikings144ChiefsRound 5PickTeam177Packers178Cowboys179Falcons18049ers181Chiefs182Falcons183RavensRound 6PickTeam216Buccaneers217Saints218Falcons219Packers220Bears221Panthers222Vikings223Eagles224Eagles225Panthers226Cowboys227BearsCopyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Minnesota Vikings released left tackle Riley Reiff, clearing $11.75 million off the salary cap.Reiff played four seasons in Minnesota after signing a five-year, $58.75-million deal to come over from the Detroit Lions in March 2017. He took a $5-million pay reduction in 2020 to stick with the Vikings.Reiff will join a shallow pool of pending free-agent left tackles. Trent Williams headlines the class, followed by Russell Okung and Alejandro Villanueva. Unlike his peers, Reiff won't have to wait for March 15 to begin negotiating with teams since he was released from his contract.The Vikings entered the offseason facing a cap crunch, and previously released longtime tight end Kyle Rudolph to alleviate some of the pressure. General manager Rick Spielman warned afterward the Vikings would have to make some uncomfortable decisions in the offseason to comply with the tumbling cap.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Miami Dolphins announced the release of linebacker Kyle Van Noy on Wednesday.The Dolphins had reportedly been looking to find a trade partner for the veteran.Van Noy's release will save the team $9.7 million in salary-cap space, according to ESPN's Cameron Wolfe.Van Noy recorded 69 tackles and six sacks in 2020, forcing and recovering two fumbles in his lone season with Miami. He followed former New England Patriots coordinator and current Dolphins head coach Brian Flores to Miami and said last week he was "surprised and disappointed" to learn of his impending release, particularly after playing through a hip injury during the season."I was brought there to be a leader, and I know my teammates looked up to and respected me," he said. "I am looking forward to making an impact on my next team, on and off the field."The soon-to-be 30-year-old will be looking to join his fourth team in six seasons.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott cast aside any concerns over the serious ankle injury that ended his 2020 season.Prescott, who signed a four-year deal worth $160 million on Monday, updated his progress Wednesday and said he'll be under center in the near future."I'm getting close ... I'll be ready when it matters, more than healthy and better than I was before," Prescott said, according to Albert Breer of The MMQB.He added: "I thought about jogging out here and jumping up on the stage, but I didn't think y'all would be ready for that. I'm healthy."The 27-year-old's extension places him second among all quarterbacks in annual salary. Prescott played the 2020 season on the franchise tag after he and the Cowboys were unable to come to an agreement on a long-term deal last offseason."I've never played this game for money," Prescott said, according to Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News. "Money has never been a motivation"Prescott has been the Cowboys' starting quarterback since they drafted him in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He set new career highs with 4,902 passing yards and 30 touchdowns in 2019. He was averaging a league-leading 371.2 yards per game last year before the ankle injury ended his season."Never in a million years did I imagine not being a Cowboy once I put on the star," Prescott added, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. "I'm excited to be here and never leave. This is my home, I'm not leaving and this is only the beginning."Prescott has posted a 42-27 record as a starter and earned two Pro Bowl nods. He's also recorded a passer rating of 95 or higher in four of his five career seasons.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Although Ron Rivera says the Washington Football Team will explore all available options to find its next franchise quarterback, the head coach insists the franchise is "not desperate.""We're going to continue to look. ... We still have time and we're going to continue to explore all the options that are out there," Rivera said Wednesday, per Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post.He added: "We're looking to build a sustainable winning culture."Taylor Heinicke and Kyle Allen remain holdovers at quarterback. Washington reportedly had interest in trading for Matthew Stafford before he landed with the Los Angeles Rams. The club also apparently tried acquiring Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Marcus Mariota.But despite Washington coming up empty-handed, Rivera wants his team to remain patient."You want to be able to say, 'This is our franchise quarterback,' but you don't know that until he starts playing," Rivera said, according to Sam Fortier of The Washington Post. He added Washington could have a quarterback competition ahead of the upcoming season.The franchise holds the 19th pick in the upcoming NFL draft, while Mitchell Trubisky, Cam Newton, and Jameis Winston are potential free-agent options.Washington will seek to remain atop the NFC East standings in 2021 after winning the division last season.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Teams have contacted the New England Patriots to gauge the possibility of a N'Keal Harry trade, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reports.The wideout has struggled since New England selected him No. 32 overall in the 2019 NFL Draft. Harry's recorded 414 receiving yards and four touchdowns over two seasons.The 23-year-old played just 19% of the Patriots' offensive snaps as a rookie. That number increased to 58% during the 2020 campaign.Harry has two more seasons and a fifth-year option remaining on his rookie contract. The Arizona State product carries a $2.7-million cap hit for this season and a $3.2-million charge for 2022, per Spotrac.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Tennessee Titans are expected to release starting safety Kenny Vaccaro, a source told Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network.The move frees up $3.9 million in cap space for the Titans in 2021 while taking on $3 million in dead money, according to Over the Cap.Vaccaro racked up 83 tackles, five passes defended, and one sack in 13 contests last season.The 30-year-old spent three campaigns in Music City after signing with the club in 2018. He inked a four-year deal in 2019 worth up to $24 million with $11.5 million guaranteed.The New Orleans Saints selected the former Texas alum in the first round of the 2013 draft. He spent five seasons in New Orleans as a staple of the Saints' secondary.Vaccaro joins Malcolm Butler as the second member of the Titans' secondary to be released in as many days. Butler was cut Tuesday after three seasons with the franchise.Meanwhile, Amani Hooker is considered the front-runner to replace Vaccaro at strong safety next season.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Buffalo Bills have released wide receiver John Brown, the team announced Wednesday.Brown thanked Buffalo for his two seasons with the team on Instagram:

The CFL announced Wednesday it will work with XFL owners Dany Garcia, Dwayne Johnson, and RedBird Capital to find opportunities to "collaborate, innovate, and grow the game of football.""Canada has an exciting game and devoted fans, and our discussion with the XFL provides a tremendous opportunity to build on that strong foundation. We look forward to exploring how we might work with one of the most innovative sports brands in the world to grow the game, engage fans in new ways, and reach new audiences," CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie said."We look forward to seeing what possibilities our discussions might uncover, and to sharing those with our fans as the process unfolds."XFL president Jeffrey Pollack spoke of the CFL's deep history as a major reason for the two leagues to work together."It's clear through our early conversations that we share a passion for football, an expansive sense of possibility, and a deep desire to create more opportunity for players and fans across North America and around the world," Pollack said. "Blending the CFL's rich heritage with our fresh thinking and the unique reach and experience of our ownership could be transformative for the game."Both leagues are in the process of returning to play. The CFL canceled its 2020 season after failing to secure the funds necessary to play from Canada's federal government. The league announced its 2021 schedule in November.The XFL, meanwhile, canceled its 2020 season midway through the campaign and filed for bankruptcy before Garcia, Johnson, and RedBird Capital purchased the league. Pollack said planning for a 2022 XFL season is on hold while the league engages in conversations with the CFL, according to ESPN's Kevin Seifert.Johnson, one of the XFL's current owners, had a brief CFL stint with the Calgary Stampeders before embarking on a professional wrestling and acting career.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.