Former Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower didn’t play last season, and he won’t be playing any NFL football moving forward.

On Tuesday, Hightower officially announced his retirement after playing nine seasons in New England. The 33-year-old shared his news in an article he published on The Players’ Tribune.

“They say time flies in...Read more

FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys continued to smartly and methodically check off boxes of needs in free agency on Tuesday with the signings of running back Ronald Jones and offensive lineman Chuma Edoga to one-year deals.

They also re-signed defensive Dante Fowler to a one-year deal.

Jones is an option to replace departed star Ezekiel ...Read more

FRISCO, Texas — For years the Dallas Cowboys have sat out the first week of free agency.

They have sat idle while watching other teams exhaust all avenues to improve their rosters, while they have focused only on managing the cap and bargain basement shopping once the big tickets were gone.

The Cowboys are moving differently in 2023.

So ...Read more

NEW YORK — A week ago, wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. worked out in Arizona in front of an estimated 14 teams, including the Jets.

But Beckham continues to wait for a lucrative contract offer from a club.

The free agent is looking for a contract worth $20 million annually, according to a recent report from ProFootballTalk. However, Beckham ...Read more

There’s an old scouting report typwritten in all capital letters that explains what New England is doing, why tight end Mike Gesicki might not be done and also why Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel was still right.

The report was written by Bill Belichick before he was the Belichick we know. It involves the larger alchemy involved in free-...Read more

For the past five years, the Carolina Panthers have never had a chance to sit in the NFL’s catbird seat.

For the next 38 days, though, that’s exactly where they are perched, holding the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL draft after a monumental trade with Chicago.

And you better believe that the Panthers are enjoying this temporary respite from ...Read more

Magic Johnson is, once again, trying to dish out an assist in 76ers managing partner Josh Harris' attempt to purchase an NFL franchise.

Johnson, a five-time NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers and a Hall of Famer, has joined Harris' group in its bid for the Washington Commanders, according to Sportico. A spokesperson for Harris declined ...Read more

The Carolina Panthers have had a busy March.

First, the Panthers made a massive pre-free agency splash, trading wide receiver DJ Moore and a quartet of premium picks to the Chicago Bears for the first overall pick in April’s NFL Draft.

From there, the Panthers went on a measured spending spree in free agency, adding the likes of safety Vonn ...Read more

TAMPA, Fla. — The new face of the Bucs at quarterback arrived with a confident smirk.

Baker Mayfield, 27, joined his fourth team since July when he signed a one-year contract with the Bucs on Monday.

It’s not been the NFL career the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 draft and Heisman Trophy winner from Oklahoma envisioned. After four seasons ...Read more

Houston Texans left tackle Laremy Tunsil agreed to a three-year, $75 million contact extension, according to reports.

The new deal makes Tunsil the highest-paid offensive lineman in the NFL. The deal includes a $30 million signing bonus with $50 million fully guaranteed and $60 million in total guarantees, according to ESPN.

The 28-year-old�...Read more

Less than a month ago, vice president Stephen Jones said the Dallas Cowboys needed to add juice to the passing game.

He delivered on his promise Sunday morning, acquiring speedy wide receiver Brandin Cooks in a trade with the Houston Texans for a fifth-round pick in 2023 and a sixth-round pick in 2024, per sources.

The trade for Cooks is sixth...Read more

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — With the first pick in the 2023 NFL draft, the Carolina Panthers will select one of four quarterbacks. Bryce Young (Alabama), C.J. Stroud (Ohio State) Anthony Richardson (Florida) and Will Levis (Kentucky) all have a case to be the top pick.

Over the next four weeks, The Charlotte Observer is breaking down the top four ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — What the Eagles are trying to do next season is not unheard of in the NFL, but it’s pretty damn close.

What they’re trying to do is win a Super Bowl the year after they lost a Super Bowl. Just three teams in the league’s history have managed to pull off that trick, and only one, the 2018 New England Patriots, has done it ...Read more

ARLINGTON, Texas — Marquette King never looked the part, which was never really the problem.

Marquette King refused to play the part, which ultimately was the problem.

The irony isn’t lost on him. He was the rarest of NFL creatures: He was a punter, and there was a demand to buy his jersey.

He was a punter with fans.

“I remember when (...Read more

CHICAGO — The first wave of NFL free agency goes fast, and the majority of the big deals are wrapped up in the negotiating period, which leads to about two weeks of bargain shopping before teams reassess and turn focus to the draft.

The Chicago Bears didn’t skip a beat moving from bigger acquisitions such as linebackers Tremaine Edmunds and...Read more