New England Patriots
Jackson returning to Patriots after signing one-year tender

By Kyle Hightower Apr. 16, 2021 06:33 PM EDT
BOSTON (AP) — The Patriots have re-signed cornerback J.C. Jackson, bringing back the former undrafted free agent who finished second in the NFL in...

FILE - In this Jan. 10, 2021, file photo, Cleveland Browns center JC Tretter (64) snaps the ball during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh. Following the advice of Browns center and NFL Players Association President Tretter, Cleveland's players joined a list of teams who say they will skip voluntary in-person workouts this offseason. (AP Photo/Don Wright, File)
Steelers players 10th group skipping in-person workouts

By The Associated Press Apr. 16, 2021 03:05 PM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 3, 2021, file photo, New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold rolls out to pass against the New England Patriots during the first half of an NFL football game in Foxborough, Mass. The Jets will get back on the rookie quarterback roller coaster three years after trading up to take Darnold with the third pick. With New York holding the second selection in a quarterback-heavy draft, general manager Joe Douglas dealt Darnold to Carolina and now has his eyes on another potential franchise QB. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)
NFL teams drafting, changing QBs at dizzying pace

By Josh Dubow Apr. 16, 2021 12:38 PM EDT

FILE - Indianapolis Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) and wide receiver T.Y. Hilton (13) watch from the bench during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Jacksonville, Fla., in this Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019, file photo.By joining the Dolphins, Brissett embraced a No. 2 role behind Tua Tagovailoa, who is being groomed as a potential franchise quarterback — unless Houston's Deshaun Watson goes on the trade block, and Miami pursues him. Either way, Brissett will likely be on the bench at age 28. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
Dolphins QB Jacoby Brissett prepares for life after the NFL

By Rob Maaddi Apr. 15, 2021 11:28 AM EDT

ADDS RETIREMENT ANNOUNCEMENT FILE — In this Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018 file photo New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) stretches but cannot catch a pass in front of New York Jets safety Jamal Adams, rear, during the second half of an NFL football game, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots terminated Edelman's contract with a failed physical designation Monday, April 12, 2021, according to the NFL's transaction wire. Citing a knee injury that cut his 2020 season short after just six games, Edelman announced Monday that he is retiring from the NFL after 11 seasons. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)
Patriots receiver Julian Edelman announces retirement

By Kyle Hightower Apr. 12, 2021 05:39 PM EDT

Analytics shifting views on 40-yard dash, other matrixes

By Kyle Hightower Apr. 08, 2021 05:20 PM EDT
BOSTON (AP) — Every year the 40-yard dash is one of the most-watched segments of the NFL combine as well as at college pro days. NFL...

FILE - New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, left, talks to head coach Bill Belichick as their team warms up before an NFL football game against the New York Jets in East Rutherford, N.J., in this Monday, Oct. 21, 2019, file photo. Belichick never was one to spent wildly in free agency. But after watching Tom Brady celebrate another Super Bowl in another city, Belichick and his boss, Robert Kraft, had seen enough. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File)
Kraft: Spending spree response to 7-9 record, not Brady win

By Jimmy Golen Mar. 31, 2021 06:06 PM EDT

NY Giants grab another free agent, sign DT Danny Shelton

Mar. 29, 2021 05:52 PM EDT
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The New York Giants have signed veteran defensive tackle Danny Shelton. A first-round draft choice with...

Patriots re-sign running back James White to 1-year deal

Mar. 25, 2021 06:30 PM EDT
BOSTON (AP) — The Patriots have re-signed running back James White, bringing back a key veteran cog of their offense. The deal is for one...

FILE - Then-Tennessee Titans cornerback Malcolm Butler (21) defends against the Houston Texans during the first half of an NFL football game in Houston, in this Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, file photo. The Arizona Cardinals added cornerback Malcolm Butler, Thursday, March 25, 2021, on a one-year deal in an effort to bolster a thin secondary.(AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith, File)
Cardinals bolster secondary, sign veteran CB Malcolm Butler

By David Brandt Mar. 25, 2021 03:39 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020 file photo, Atlanta Falcons center Alex Mack (51) works during the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in Atlanta. Former Pro Bowl center Alex Mack is reuniting with coach Kyle Shanahan after signing a one-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers announced the three-year deal with Mack on Thursday, March 18, 2021 one day after agreeing to give left tackle Trent Williams a $138.1 million, six-year deal to remain in San Francisco.(AP Photo/Danny Karnik, File)
Falcons hope low-cost free agent class will make big splash

By Paul Newberry Mar. 25, 2021 01:46 PM EDT

FILE - In this Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018 file photo, Pittsburgh Steelers' Ryan Switzer (18) returns a punt in an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers in Pittsburgh. Browns wide receiver Ryan Switzer said his 9-month-old son is being transferred to a Boston hospital specializing in rare children's illnesses. Switzer provided an update Wednesday, March 24, 2021 on his Instagram account from his son Christian's hospital room at Levine Children's Hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)
Son of Browns WR Switzer going to Boston hospital for care

By Tom Withers Mar. 24, 2021 07:03 PM EDT

FILE - Miami Dolphins middle linebacker Kyle Van Noy (53) warms up before an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in Miami Gardens, Fla., in this Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, file photo. The Miami Dolphins told linebacker Kyle Van Noy he will be released, two people familiar with the discussion confirmed to The Associated Press on Tuesday, March 2, 2021. The people confirmed the disclosure to the AP on condition of anonymity because the Dolphins have not commented.(AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)
Pats' defensive newcomers arrive with 'something to prove'

By Kyle Hightower Mar. 24, 2021 05:15 PM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 3, 2021, file photo, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton celebrates a catch during the team's NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Indianapolis. Hilton tested the free-agent market and came to the same conclusion he made last summer — he wanted to stay in Indianapolis. So on Wednesday, March 24, the longtime Colts receiver agreed to a one-year contract worth $10 million and $8 million in guaranteed money. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger, File)
Colts bring back Pro Bowl receiver Hilton on 1-year deal

By Michael Marot Mar. 24, 2021 04:19 PM EDT

FILE - San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Trent Williams (71) plays during an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team in Glendale, Ariz., in this Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, file photo. The 49ers locked up their biggest potential free agent for the long term by agreeing to give star left tackle Trent Williams the richest contract ever for an offensive lineman. Williams' agents at Elite Loyalty Sports say the deal agreed to early Wednesday morning, March 17, 2021, will pay Williams $138.1 million over the next six years, surpassing the $138 million deal David Bakhtiari got from during last season. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
Free agency gave 49ers' Williams money, happiness

By Josh Dubow Mar. 24, 2021 02:28 AM EDT

FILE - Tennessee Titans tight end Jonnu Smith (81) makes a touchdown catch against Baltimore Ravens cornerback Brandon Carr (39) during the first half an NFL divisional playoff football game in Baltimore, in this Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, file photo. The Patriots have agreed to sign free agent tight end Jonnu Smith in their biggest move to date to fill the void created by the departure of Rob Gronkowski. Smith, who was selected by the Titans in the third round of the 2017 draft, agreed Monday, March 15, 2021, to a four-year, $50 million deal, his agent Drew Rosenhaus told The Associated Press. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, FIle)
New Pats TE Jonnu Smith eyeing 'fresh start on the journey'

By Kyle Hightower Mar. 23, 2021 02:58 PM EDT

Patriots get extra compensatory pick via NFL miscalculation

By Kyle Hightower Mar. 22, 2021 06:15 PM EDT
The NFL says it has awarded the Patriots an additional compensatory pick for this year's draft due to a correction by the league's management council. ...

FILE - San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Kendrick Bourne (84) pulls in a catch during the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team in Glendale, Ariz., in this Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, file photo. The Patriots have agreed to terms on a new three-year, $22.5 million contract with free agent receiver Kendrick Bourne. His agent, Henry Organ of Disruptive Sports, says the new deal is for three years and could be worth as much as $22.5 million. New contracts can't officially be signed until the new league year begins on Wednesday, March 17, 2021.(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
Energy already high among new additions to Patriots' roster

By Kyle Hightower Mar. 22, 2021 05:57 PM EDT

FILE - New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick catches a packet of papers after he tossed them in the air during the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Seattle, in this Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, file photo. Belichick never was one to spent wildly in free agency. Watching Tom Brady win another Super Bowl in another city sure changed that. The New England Patriots doled out $175 million in guarantees in the first 48 hours of free agency following a 7-9 stumble in 2020 that officially ended their two-decade dominance of the AFC. (AP Photo/John Froschauer, File)
Patriots, Bucs among those making biggest waves so far

By Arnie Stapleton Mar. 22, 2021 04:14 PM EDT

Falcons sign S Harris, LB Copeland to 1-year contracts

Mar. 19, 2021 04:15 PM EDT
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — After making some painful moves to get under the salary cap, the Atlanta Falcons have landed a pair of cost-effective free agents. ...