William Gay is heading back to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The veteran cornerback has agreed to a three-year deal with Pittsburgh, a move that should give the Steelers some insurance if unrestricted free agent Keenan Lewis decides to play elsewhere. Financial terms were not disclosed.
1:01 ET
Impact: The 28-year-old Gay spent the first five seasons of his career in Pittsburgh before signing with the Arizona Cardinals last spring. Gay had two interceptions for the Cardinals. Gay thrived while playing as a nickel back for the Steelers in 2011, finishing with two interceptions, a career-high 14 passes defensed and two fumble recoveries.
The Dallas Cowboys are putting the franchise tag on Spencer for the second consecutive season.
1:47 ET
Impact: Spencer's agent, Jordan Woy, wrote in a tweet Monday that the Cowboys and their sack leader from 2012 would work on a long-term contract. Spencer had a career-high 11 sacks last season.
The New England Patriots have released Larsen.
1:48 ET
Impact: Larsen signed last March as an unrestricted agent from Denver but missed the season with a knee injury. The Broncos drafted him in the sixth round in 2008 from Arizona and used him at linebacker and fullback for the first two seasons and at fullback in his last two with them. He played 50 games with Denver, rushing 17 times for 62 yards and catching 14 passes for 127 yards and one touchdown.
The New England Patriots have released Hix.
1:48 ET
Impact: The Patriots signed Hix in 2011 as a rookie free agent from Texas.
The Dallas Cowboys have released safety Gerald Sensabaugh to clear more room under the salary cap. Sensabaugh, a four-year starter for the Cowboys, sent a tweet Monday saying he had been released for cap purposes. The team reported on its website that the move saves $1.4 million under the cap, and the Cowboys avoid paying his $3 million salary in 2013. The Cowboys have cleared more than $20 million in cap space since last week.
1:00 ET
Impact: Sensabaugh signed as a free agent in Dallas 2009 and was a solid if not spectacular presence in their secondary. He missed two games in four years and led the team with a career-high five interceptions in 2010.
The Dallas Cowboys have signed Costa to a two-year contract, pulling off another deal to save salary cap space.
7:15 ET
Impact: Costa's agent, George Mavrikes, told The Associated Press on Saturday that Costa's $2.7 million, two-year deal includes a $450,000 signing bonus for $950,000 guaranteed this season. Costa played in only three games last season, missing most of training camp with a back issue that he re-aggravated in the season opener. He played two games in October before needing season-ending ankle surgery.
Robinson was released by the Falcons.
9:15 ET
Impact: This is not a suprise move as it allowed the Falcons to save money in their quest for a younger roster. The 30-year-old Robinson signed with Atlanta in 2010 and became a steady figure in the secondary, known especially for his bruising hits. He had four interceptions over the past three seasons.
A person with knowledge of the deal tells The Associated Press that Flacco has agreed on a new contract with the Baltimore Ravens.
6:05 ET
Impact: Flacco played out his rookie contract last season for $6.76 million and led Baltimore to the NFL championship. He cashed in Friday with the new deal, although terms were not immediately available. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement has not officially been announced. The 28-year-old Flacco is the only quarterback to win a postseason game in each of his first five pro seasons.
The Arizona Cardinals have cleared salary cap room by releasing Bradley.
12:10 ET
Impact: Bradley was signed to a five-year, $30 million contract in 2011 but never became the starting inside linebacker the Cardinals envisioned. He had 15 tackles in 16 games last season, six of them on special teams.
The Chicago Bears have placed a franchise tag on Melton.
9:55 ET
Impact: Emery said the team will work with Melton to reach a multi-year agreement. The deadline for reaching a contract agreement is July 15. If an agreement isn't reached, Melton will play next season for $8.45 million.
The Cincinnati Bengals have given Johnson the franchise tag, meaning he will be paid $11.175 million this season if he doesn't reach a long-term contract with the team.
1:50 ET
Impact: Johnson had 11 1/2 sacks last season, his fourth in the NFL, and is considered a key part of a defense that ranked sixth overall.
The Arizona Cardinals have cleared salary cap room by releasing Gay.
12:11 ET
Impact: A year ago, Gay signed a two-year, $4.95 million deal with the Cardinals. He started 15 games last season. He had 60 tackles, one sack and two interceptions. The move reportedly clears about $3.5 million in salary cap room.
Abraham was released by the Falcons on Friday.
9:14 ET
Impact: This was not a surprise move even though Abraham remains one of the league's top pass rushers. The Falcons were able to save money in their quest to get younger. Abraham has been the Falcons' only consistent pass rusher since being acquired from the New York Jets in 2006. At age 34, he led the team with 10 sacks but had to cut back on his snaps in a bid to stay healthy.
The Indianapolis Colts have given punter Pat McAfee the franchise tag, meaning he will be paid $2.977 million this season if he doesn't reach a long-term contract with the team. Under the franchise tag in 2013, a player is paid according to a formula based on salaries for the past five years at the position and their percentage of the total salary cap. With the non-exclusive tag, his team has the right to match any offer sheet, or get two first-round draft picks.
5:38 ET
Impact: McAfee finished his fourth NFL season ranked fifth in the league in punting with a 47.9-yard average. His 40.3-yard net average was the best of his career. McAfee also handles kickoffs for Indianapolis.
The Panthers have released starting defensive tackle Ron Edwards in a move that frees up $2.5 million in salary cap space.
2:43 ET
Impact: Edwards started 11 games in 2012, recording 16 tackles and one sack before an elbow injury ended his season. Edwards missed all over 2011 with a torn triceps after signing with Carolina. Edwards has played in 139 games with 96 starts, recording 239 tackles and 16.5 sacks.
Turner was released Friday by the Falcons.
9:13 ET
Impact: This is not a surprise, considering Turner's production continued to decline and team might be ready to give versatile Jacquizz Rodgers a larger role. It also will save the team money. The bruising back rushed for 1,699 yards his first season in town and more than 1,300 yards two other years.
The Buffalo Bills have retained the rights to Byrd by placing a franchise tag on him before he was eligible to become an unrestricted free agent.
1:35 ET
Impact: In making the move Friday, the Bills have essentially offered Byrd a one-year contract worth $6.9 million. Byrd isn't required to accept the offer, and he's also not prevented from negotiating with other teams. The Bills, however, will have the right to match any offers made to Byrd. Byrd has 57 starts in 62 career games. He has 18 career interceptions, including five last season.
The Dallas Cowboys have reworked the contracts of five starters, including Austin, to save salary cap space.
5:33 ET
Impact: Austin's deal will save $4 million for the 'Boys.
The Dallas Cowboys have reworked the contracts of five starters, including Cook, to save salary cap space.
5:34 ET
Impact: By restructuring the deals of Cook and four others, the Cowboys wiped out the $20 million they were projected to be over the cap this year.
Sheriff's officials say Barden has been arrested in a roll-over drunken driving crash in eastern Georgia.
5:32 ET
Impact: A Lincoln County Sheriff's report says the 23-year-old lost control of a truck carrying two other passengers on Feb. 23 and crashed into a ditch in Lincolnton - about 35 miles northwest of Augusta. The report says the truck flipped and landed on its side. Deputies say they spoke with Barden after the accident and smelled a strong odor of alcohol. Barden refused to do a sobriety test and was taken to the sheriff's office, where he again refused to take a sobriety test.
The Denver Broncos are sticking with Moore.
11:18 ET
Impact: Moore allowed Jacoby Jones' 70-yard touchdown catch in the final minute of regulation in the Broncos' playoff game the Baltimore Ravens won in overtime on their way to winning the Super Bowl. John Elway, the Broncos' vice president of football operations, and coach John Fox said Thursday that Moore made great progress last season and they have confidence he'll put the blunder behind him and make even greater strides in 2013.
The Dallas Cowboys have reworked the contracts of five starters, including Witten, to save salary cap space.
5:33 ET
Impact: Witten's new deal will take $3.6 million off the cap.
The Dallas Cowboys have reworked the contracts of five starters, including Ware, to save salary cap space.
5:32 ET
Impact: Ware's salary is going down to $1 million for this season, and a $5 million bonus is being spread over the rest of the contract, saving $4 million.
The Dallas Cowboys have reworked the contracts of five starters, including Carr, to save salary cap space.
5:35 ET
Impact: Dallas signed Carr as a free agent last year, and Thursday's moves turn nearly all of the $14.3 million he was due in salary into a signing bonus. Carr will count $3.5 million against this year's cap.
The Cowboys also re-signed Ladouceur to a five-year contract.
5:35 ET
Impact: The long snapper has been with Dallas since the middle of the 2005 season. He's handled snaps on 562 punts, 245 field goals and 341 extra points.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have released Wilson.
5:27 ET
Impact: Wilson spent most of last season on Jacksonville's practice squad. He was active for one game, Oct. 28 at Green Bay, but did not play. The former Alabama starter has not played in a regular-season game in his three seasons.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have released Whimper.
5:26 ET
Impact: Whimper started 22 games over the last three seasons for the Jaguars, including 15 in 2011 and six last season. Most of his work came at right tackle, where he was supplanted in the lineup last season by Cam Bradfield last year.
A person with knowledge of the trade tells The Associated Press that the Kansas City Chiefs have agreed to acquire Smith from San Francisco.
11:55 ET
Impact: The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the trade does not become official until March 12, when the NFL's new business year begins. Smith lost his starting job to Colin Kaepernick after sustaining a concussion Nov. 11. Kaepernick played well, and coach Jim Harbaugh stuck with him even when Smith was healthy.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have released King.
5:27 ET
Impact: King spent the final seven weeks of last season on Jacksonville's practice squad.
The New York Giants have agreed to a five-year deal with Beatty, who could have become a free agent.
4:44 ET
Impact: Beatty is entering his fifth season with the Giants. He played in all 16 games last season after missing much of training camp with a sore back. Beatty was a second-round pick in 2009 from Connecticut. He has played in 50 games with the Giants. He's made four starts at left tackle, four at right tackle and one as an extra tight end.
Kelsay plans to retire after 10 seasons in Buffalo. Kelsay informed general manager Buddy Nix of his decision Wednesday, the team announced.
5:45 ET
Impact: The decision came as a slight surprise. Earlier this month, Kelsay indicated he was preparing to play next season after Bills doctors had cleared him for practice. Kelsay finished last season on injured reserve after tearing a ligament in his neck.
White wants to return to the NFL. White's father, Bo, said Wednesday his son is going to work out as part of West Virginia's pro day in Morgantown on March 14.
4:44 ET
Impact: Bo White says Pat has been in San Diego the past few weeks working with personal quarterbacks coach George Whitfield, whose clients have included NFL quarterbacks Ben Roethlisberger, Cam Newton and Andrew Luck.
An Illinois sheriff says Webb is free on bond after being accused of possessing marijuana in his vehicle during a traffic stop.
4:44 ET
Impact: Sheriff Randy Kern tells KFVS-TV the 24-year-old Webb was arrested Sunday night in Pulaski County, in the far southern part of Illinois along the Ohio River. Kern says Webb faces charges of possession and drug paraphernalia, as well as speeding and not having a valid vehicle registration. He was freed on bond Monday.
The Philadelphia Eagles have released Jenkins.
1:02 ET
Impact: Jenkins signed a five-year, $30 million contract with the Eagles in 2011 and started every game the last two seasons. He was due to make $5.5 million this season, but rebuilding Philadelphia cut the 32-year-old Jenkins on Monday. After spending the first seven seasons of his NFL career with Green Bay, Jenkins left for Philadelphia. He had 5 1-2 sacks in 2011 and four in 2012.
A person familiar with the contract tells The Associated Press that Brady has received a three-year extension from the New England Patriots worth about $27 million.
4:36 ET
Impact: The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the extension has not been announced. The 35-year-old two-time league MVP was signed through 2014, and has said he wants to play five more years. By redoing his contract Monday, Brady also has cleared nearly $15 million from New England's salary cap. Brady currently has a four-year, $72 million deal with $48 million guaranteed.
Jones is the newest contestant to join TV's "Dancing With the Stars."
9:48 ET
Impact: Jones was the first contestant announced Sunday night for the show's new season. The announcement came during a commercial that aired during ABC's telecast of the Academy Awards. The other new contestants will be announced Tuesday on "Good Morning America." The show premieres March 18. Jones is known for his dance moves in the end zone after a touchdown. Three other NFL players have won the competition: Emmitt Smith, Hines Ward and Donald Driver.
Nelson is preparing to become a free agent after the Buffalo Bills informed the third-year player they will not extend him a contract offer to retain his rights. General manager Buddy Nix says he informed Nelson's agent of the decision Sunday. The Bills reached a similar decision with receiver Donald Jones earlier this month.
1:51 ET
Impact: The move wasn't entirely a surprise for Nelson, who anticipated the possibility after the Bills fired coach Chan Gailey. Doug Marrone was hired to take over last month. An undrafted free agent out of Florida, Nelson was a dependable contributor during his first two years, with a combined 92 catches for 1,011 yards and eight touchdowns. Last year, he never made it past the season opener, when he tore a right knee ligament.
Birk has decided to retire after 15 seasons in the NFL, the last winning a Super Bowl title with the Baltimore Ravens.
12:24 ET
Impact: A sixth-round draft selection in 1998, Birk played 11 seasons in Minnesota before going to Baltimore. He went to six Pro Bowls and played 210 regular-season games with 124 consecutive starts, including the playoffs. Birk also has agreed to donate his brain and spinal cord to the Center for Traumatic Encephalopathy at Boston University's School of Medicine for head trauma research.
The Tennessee Titans have agreed to terms on deal with Wilson, making defense the first area targeted in free agency.
12:10 ET
Impact: Team officials visited with the 6-foot, 212-pound safety after Buffalo released him Feb. 11. He spent much of the past nine years with the Bills, playing 92 games with 12 interceptions, 362 tackles and 22 passes defensed.
Vikings general manager Rick Spielman can't say it enough: Percy Harvin will remain in Minnesota, and he's not going to discuss contracts in public. Six days after initially telling local reporters exactly that, Spielman came to the NFL's annual scouting combine and was asked to address the situation again. He hasn't budged.
1:18 ET
Impact: Spielman says he has no intent to deal the receiver he calls a "dynamic playmaker" and won't even take phone calls about it. He intends to keep all information about contract negotiations internal, too, as he describes. There has been speculation the Vikings might deal Harvin, whose contract is up after next season, or that Harvin may hold out to get a new, richer contract.
John Fox has some bad news for the other 31 NFL teams: Peyton Manning could be even better in 2013. Fox says a year ago the Broncos were doing homework on Manning. They saw a dramatic improvement in Manning's workouts last offseason at Duke, and then with the quarterback's passing in the second half of the 2012 season. Manning led Denver to the AFC's best record, 13-3.
12:43 ET
Impact: The Denver coach says Thursday at the league's annual scouting combine that with another offseason to heal and to fine-tune his comfort with Denver's offense, the four-time MVP and reigning Comeback Player of the Year could have a more impressive second season in the Mile High City.
Dennard has been convicted of assaulting a police officer in Lincoln, Neb., last year.
11:19 ET
Impact: The Lincoln Journal Star is reporting a Lancaster County jury found Dennard guilty Wednesday of the felony charge and a misdemeanor count of resisting arrest. The jury found Dennard not guilty of third-degree assault against another man. He faces up to five years in prison when he is sentenced on a later date.
The Kansas City Chiefs have released wide receiver Steve Breaston and Boss as part of their roster overhaul under new coach Andy Reid and general manager John Dorsey.
6:03 ET
Impact: Boss signed $9 million, three-year deal last offseason, but only had three catches for 65 yards before sustaining a season-ending concussion in Week 2 against Buffalo.
The Kansas City Chiefs have released Breaston and tight end Kevin Boss as part of their roster overhaul under new coach Andy Reid and general manager John Dorsey.
6:03 ET
Impact: Breaston was lured to Kansas City in 2011 by former coach Todd Haley and general manager Scott Pioli, and signed a $22.5 million, five-year deal. But he fell out of favor last season under coach Romeo Crennel, catching seven passes for 74 yards in 10 games.
New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis says the club has cut veteran tight end David Thomas and Patrick.
6:02 ET
Impact: The 5-11, 191-pound Patrick was New Orleans' second third-round draft choice in 2011 and played in 24 games over two seasons with one start. He was credited with 29 tackles on defense and six on special teams.
The Bills have re-signed Brown.
10:06 ET
Impact: The second-year player has two starts in 11 games with the Bills. Brown appeared in one game last season before a hamstring injury led to him being placed on injured reserve on Oct. 9.
The Jets released Smith on Tuesday.
1:45 ET
Impact: Smith has been with the Jets since 2006, when they drafted him in the third round. He was an occasional starter at safety, including 14 games in 2011, and also was a special teams standout.
New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis says the club has cut veteran Thomas and third-year cornerback Johnny Patrick.
6:02 ET
Impact: Loomis says releasing Thomas on Tuesday was an "extremely difficult decision," given seven-year veteran's leadership and versatility, which allowed him to fill in at several spots, including fullback. The 6-foot-3, 248-pound Thomas joined the Saints in a 2009 trade with New England. He missed much of 2011 because of two concussions, but returned in 2012 and played in 15 games, catching 11 passes for 86 yards and four touchdowns.
The Jets are hamstrung by the contract of Sanchez, who is coming off a miserable season but is guaranteed $8.25 million next season. He would cost the Jets a $17.1 million cap hit if they cut him.
1:44 ET
Impact: Sanchez will almost certainly be back, unless the Jets can trade him. If Sanchez returns, he will likely have to compete for the starting job, and the Jets will be in the market for a quarterback in free agency or the draft.
The Jets are also hamstrung by the contract of Sanchez, who is coming off a miserable season but is guaranteed $8.25 million in 2013.
1:18 ET
Impact: He would cost the Jets a $17.1 million cap hit if they cut him.
The Jets released Pace on Tuesday.
1:43 ET
Impact: Pace, a 2003 first-round pick by Arizona, spent his first five seasons with the Cardinals before signing a six-year deal with the Jets in 2008. He had seven sacks in his first season in New York, and eight the following year, but never became the dominant pass rusher the Jets envisioned.
The Baltimore Ravens and Flacco's agent plan to meet this weekend in their first attempt to reach a new contract for the Super Bowl MVP.
2:29 ET
Impact: After the team and Flacco couldn't agree on an extension or a new deal last summer, Flacco played out the final year of his rookie contract - and struck it big. Flacco had 11 touchdown passes and no interceptions in the postseason. Flacco made less than $7 million in 2012, and even if the Ravens franchise him, he would at least double that salary for next season.
The Green Bay Packers have released veteran center Jeff Saturday. General manager Ted Thompson announced the move Monday. Saturday, a six-time Pro Bowl selection in 14 seasons, was benched as a starter with two games left in the regular season in favor of Evan Dietrich-Smith.
4:51 ET
Impact: Saturday signed a two-year deal with the Packers as an unrestricted free agent in March 2012 after playing 13 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts. He had been the Colts' full-time starting center since 2000. He became a fan favorite, a key figure in the NFL Players Association and one of Peyton Manning's closest friends.
Bowers was awaiting arraignment Monday on charges of criminal possession of a weapon after he was arrested at a New York airport when police found a loaded handgun in his luggage.
6:58 ET
Impact: Bowers was arrested at LaGuardia Airport as he was about to board a US Airways flight to Raleigh, N.C. Authorities say the loaded .40-caliber weapon was found during a search of his carry-on bag.
A person familiar with the status of contract negotiations between the Buffalo Bills and Byrd has told The Associated Press the two sides are expected to meet at the NFL combine, which opens this week in Indianapolis.
7:06 ET
Impact: The person says there have previously been no formal contract talks between the Bills and Byrd, who is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next month.
Data provided by STATS LLC.
