NFL free agency rumors: News on signings, cap cuts and more
With the Super Bowl and the 2016 season behind us, the NFL off-season is well underway. The rumor mill is already churning with news of contract negotiations and potential trades.
The NFL scouting combine is now over and the league year is set to begin on Thursday at 4 p.m. ET, leaving teams steadily preparing for free agency and the NFL draft in April.
Stay up to date on the latest NFL news and rumors below:
Tuesday, March 7
• The Chiefs are leaning toward Alex Smith as quarterback and are no longer interested in Tony Romo. (James Palmer, NFL Network)
• The Washington Post reports the Redskins are not likely to keep DeSean Jackson. The Cowboys, Buccaneers, Eagles and Patriots are interested the the wide receiver. (Mike Florio, ProFootballTalk)
• The Buccaneers are not expected to pursue Adrian Peterson. (Jenna Laine, ESPN)
• Peterson has the Seahawks and Raiders on top of his destination list, if a return to the Vikings is not possible. (Chris Tomasson, St. Paul Pioneer Press)
• The Broncos and Russell Okung have discussed a return. (James Palmer, NFL Network)
• The Jaguars have agreed to terms on a deal with guard Patrick Omameh. (Schwartz & Feinsod announced)
• The 49ers have released safety Antoine Bethea. (Adam Schefter, ESPN)
• Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower chatted with coach Bill Belichick about his future last weeka and will test the market but could return next season. (Ian Rapaport, NFL Network)
• Letroy Guion of the Green Bay Packers has been suspended four games without pay for the start of the 2017 season for violating the NFL's performance enhancing substances policy.
• The Rams are discussing trading cornerback Trumaine Johnson with multiple teams. Los Angeles used its franchise tag on Johnson this off-season. (Ian Rapaport, NFL Network)
• The Bears are the team in strongest pursuit of Buccaneers quarterback Mike Glennon. (Ian Rapaport, NFL Network)
• The only scenario in which the Patriots would trade backup quarterback Jimmy Garappolo is if they received a first-round pick in both the 2017 and 2018 drafts in return. (Mike Garafolo, NFL Network)
• Rumors are still circulating about Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins's interest in playing for the San Francisco 49ers and former Redskins offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan. Mike Silver said on NFL Network that he believes Cousins wants to be in San Francisco and that the odds are likely that he will end up being the signal caller for the QB-less 49ers. (Mike Silver, NFL Network)
• The Ravens have released safety Kendrick Lewis and cornerback Shareece Wright. (Team announcement)
• The Cowboys created more cap space—which they could potentially use to address their situation with Tony Romo—by restructuring linebacker Sean Lee's contract. The team turned $7.7 million of Lee's $9 million salary into a signing bonus, giving them a total of about $9 million in cap space going into free agency. (Todd Archer, ESPN)
• Adrian Peterson would consider a discount to sign with New England Patriots. (Boston Herald)
• Wide receiver Torrey Smith has been released by the 49ers. (Team announcement)
• The Broncos ready to pursue quarterback Tony Romo if he’s released by the Dallas Cowboys. (Mike Klis, KUSA)
• The Panthers have re-signed safety Colin Jones to a two-year deal. (Team announcement)
• Chargers are releasing offensive guard D.J. Fluker, cornerback Brandon Flowers and wide receiver Stevie Johnson. The moves save the team $19 million for the salary cap. (Adam Schefter, ESPN.com, Michael Gehlken, San Diego Union-Tribune)
• The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are expected to re-sign free-agent running back Jacquizz Rodgers. (Jenna Laine, ESPN.com)
• Browns wide receiver Terrelle Pryor drawing interest from Steelers, Giants, 49ers, Eagles and Titans. (Mary Kay Cabot, Cleveland Plain Dealer)
• The Dallas Cowboys are in "no rush" to resolve the Tony Romo situation. (Ian Rapoport, NFL.com)
• Colts offensive lineman Joe Reitz retires at age 31. He spent nine seasons in the NFL. (Team announcement)
• Jets wide receiver Jalin Marshall facing four-game suspension for violating NFL's drug policy. (Manish Mehta, New York Daily News)
• The Steelers are not interested in wide receiver Terrelle Pryor. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
• The Eagles are expected to show interest in wide receiver Kenny Britt. (Philadelphia Tribune)
• Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman Ethan Westbrooks was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence. (ESPN.com)
• The Bills placed an original-round tender on restricted free-agent running back Mike Gillislee and offensive lineman Ryan Groy and won't tender defensive end IK Enemkpali and punter Colton Schmidt. (Team announcement)
