Football – Winnipeg Free Press

FILE - Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa (97) looks on before an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Dec. 14, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Jerome Miron, File)

49ers acquire DT Osa Odighizuwa from the Cowboys for a 3rd-round pick

Josh Dubow, The Associated Press 3 minute read Yesterday at 6:42 PM CDT

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — The San Francisco 49ers added some needed help for their pass rush, acquiring defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa from the Dallas Cowboys for a third-round pick on Wednesday.

Despite drafting Alfred Collins in the second round and C.J. West in the fourth round last season, the 49ers were in need of help in their interior pass rush. Collins and West produced more in the run game last season with each getting only one sack.

San Francisco finished the season with a league-low 20 sacks for the fewest by any team in four years and the lowest total ever for the franchise in a non strike-shortened season.

Dallas also dealt defensive lineman Solomon Thomas to Tennessee in a deal that featured a seventh-round pick swap. The Cowboys get the 218th overall pick in the draft and give up Thomas and pick No. 225.

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Panthers agree to terms with John Metchie, giving them more speed at wide receiver

Steve Reed, The Associated Press 2 minute read Yesterday at 6:13 PM CDT

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Panthers added a familiar face in the passing game for quarterback Bryce Young.

The Panthers announced on Wednesday they’ve agreed to terms with free agent wide receiver John Metchie, who played with Young at the University of Alabama and brings a potential deep threat to Carolina’s passing game.

Metchie had 33 catches for 274 yards and two touchdowns in 2025 for the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Jets. He spent his first two seasons in the league with the Houston Texans.

Metchie wasn’t tendered by the Jets as a restricted free agent, making him available to sign with any team.

Maxx Crosby commits to the Raiders following failed trade to the Ravens

Josh Dubow, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Maxx Crosby commits to the Raiders following failed trade to the Ravens

Josh Dubow, The Associated Press 3 minute read Yesterday at 11:34 PM CDT

Maxx Crosby expressed his commitment to the Las Vegas Raiders a day after the proposed trade that was supposed to send him to Baltimore was called off because he failed a physical.

The Ravens backed out of the trade on Tuesday night after Crosby came to Baltimore for a physical. He was back working out at the Raiders facility on Wednesday and posted on social media Wednesday night, his first public comments since the deal fell through.

“Everything Happens For A Reason. Believe Nothing You Hear & Half Of What You See. Im A Raider. I’m Back,” Crosby wrote.

The relationship between Crosby and the Raiders had soured late last season when the team shut him down against his wishes with two games to play to have surgery on his injured knee.

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Yesterday at 11:34 PM CDT

FILE - Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) rushes during the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Dec. 21, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/Maria Lysaker, File)

Saints trade punter Kai Kroeger to Houston and swap late-round 2028 draft picks

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Saints trade punter Kai Kroeger to Houston and swap late-round 2028 draft picks

The Associated Press 2 minute read Yesterday at 5:54 PM CDT

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The New Orleans Saints traded punter Kai Kroeger and a 2028 seventh-round draft pick to Houston on Wednesday for the Texans' 2028 sixth-round draft choice.

The trade, announced by Saints general manager Mickey Loomis, comes on the heels of New Orleans' free-agent signing of former Minnesota punter Ryan Wright to a four-year, $14 million contract.

Kroeger is entering his second NFL season.

Undrafted out of South Carolina, he initially signed with the New York Jets last offseason before joining the Saints during last preseason.

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Yesterday at 5:54 PM CDT

FILE - New Orleans Saints punter Kai Kroeger (32) walks off the field after an NFL preseason football game against the Denver Broncos, Aug. 23, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman, File)

Veteran defensive tackle Cam Heyward agrees to 1-year extension with Steelers

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Veteran defensive tackle Cam Heyward agrees to 1-year extension with Steelers

The Associated Press 2 minute read Yesterday at 5:48 PM CDT

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cam Heyward agreed to a one-year contract extension with the club on Wednesday as the team transitions to new head coach Mike McCarthy.

The 36-year-old Heyward, a seven-time Pro Bowler, four-time All-Pro and the 2023 Walter Payton Award winner as the NFL's Man of the Year, is coming off a solid 2025 in which he finished with 78 tackles and 3 1/2 sacks. He had one season left on the contract extension he signed in 2024.

A second team All-Pro last season, Heyward's 92 sacks rank second on Pittsburgh's career list behind teammate T.J. Watt.

The extension frees up a little bit of salary cap space this season for the Steelers, who have added several players to both sides of the ball this week as the new league year began.

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Yesterday at 5:48 PM CDT

FILE - Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cam Heyward runs during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/AJ Mast, File)

Bills agree to sign edge rusher Bradley Chubb to a 3-year contract, AP source says

John Wawrow, The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Bills agree to sign edge rusher Bradley Chubb to a 3-year contract, AP source says

John Wawrow, The Associated Press 2 minute read Yesterday at 4:46 PM CDT

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — The Buffalo Bills’ search for an established pass rusher led them to reaching a three-year agreement to sign Bradley Chubb, a person with knowledge of the deal confirmed to The Associated Press on Wednesday.

The person spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity because Chubb had yet to sign. ESPN.com first reported the agreement.

Chubb’s agreement with Buffalo came shortly after the Miami Dolphins announced his release. The team previously announced its intentions to cut Chubb as part of a major roster turnover last month.

The 29-year-old Chubb has eight seasons of NFL experience. He spent the past three-plus years in Miami, including missing the entire 2024 season because of a torn knee ligament.

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Yesterday at 4:46 PM CDT

FILE - Miami Dolphins outside linebacker Bradley Chubb (2), now linebacker for the Buffalo Bills, prepares to play against the New York Jets in an NFL football game on Dec. 7, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura, File)

Micah McFadden returns to the Giants, healthy and ready to play for John Harbaugh

Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Micah McFadden returns to the Giants, healthy and ready to play for John Harbaugh

Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press 4 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 5:00 PM CDT

NEW YORK (AP) — Much has changed since Micah McFadden last played for the New York Giants.

They lost 13 of 17 games including the season opener, during which he got hurt 11 snaps in, and overhauled their entire staff, with John Harbaugh taking over as coach and Dennard Wilson running the defense. Plenty more additions are coming, but McFadden on Wednesday signed a one-year deal worth up to $5.75 million to return, eager to show what he can do after recovering from a Lisfranc injury to his right foot.

“I had spoke with the coaching staff and some people in the building over the weekend, and I knew that there was a possibility that they wanted me back, and I was excited to hear that from them,” McFadden said on a video call with reporters. “I’m excited to be back. I’m excited to play with everybody that’s been here and the guys that we’ve already brought in this offseason and continue to bring in.”

McFadden, 26, is among the holdovers, a homegrown prospect who has been with the team since getting drafted in the fifth round in 2022. The newcomers on defense include fellow linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and defensive backs Greg Newsome and Ar'Darius Washington.

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Updated: Yesterday at 5:00 PM CDT

FILE - New York Giants linebacker Micah McFadden (41) practices at the team's NFL football training camp in East Rutherford, N.J., Thursday, July 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura, File)

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Prosecutor alleges ex-NFL player Darron Lee consulted AI bot to help cover up girlfriend’s killing

Jonathan Mattise, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Prosecutor alleges ex-NFL player Darron Lee consulted AI bot to help cover up girlfriend’s killing

Jonathan Mattise, The Associated Press 4 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 3:31 PM CDT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A former NFL player who is charged with murder in his girlfriend's death in Tennessee asked an AI bot for advice on what to do about the woman’s injuries and what the signs of a fall are before he called 911, authorities said in court.

New York Jets first-round draft pick Darron Lee's conversations with ChatGPT about Gabriella Perpetuo started on Feb. 4, the day before first responders went to a home in Ooltewah, a Chattanooga suburb, for a call of CPR in progress and found her already deceased, according to messages displayed by prosecutors during a court hearing Monday.

Lee faces charges of first-degree murder and of tampering with or fabricating evidence. He is being held in jail without bond.

The AI inquiries shown in a Chattanooga courtroom did not admit wrongdoing, and in one instance, Lee calls the injuries “self inflicted.” But Hamilton County District Attorney Coty Wamp said Lee was using ChatGPT as a “legal advisor,” asking it “to basically give him advice on how you cover up a crime scene.”

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Updated: Yesterday at 3:31 PM CDT

FILE - Kansas City Chiefs inside linebacker Darron Lee takes part in a drill at NFL football training camp, July 27, 2019, in St. Joseph, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)

Steve Tisch, siblings request transfer of their stakes in Giants to children’s trusts, per NFL memo

Stephen Whyno And Rob Maaddi, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Steve Tisch, siblings request transfer of their stakes in Giants to children’s trusts, per NFL memo

Stephen Whyno And Rob Maaddi, The Associated Press 3 minute read Yesterday at 1:49 PM CDT

NEW YORK (AP) — New York Giants co-owners Steve, Laurie and Jonathan Tisch want to transfer their shares of the NFL club to their children’s trusts, according to a league memo that was obtained by The Associated Press.

According to the memo, the Tisch siblings would move the remaining 23.1% of the Giants that they still own to the trusts after completing previous transfers in 2023 and ’24. The memo states, “Following the transactions, the sellers will no longer own any interest in the club.”

A Giants spokesperson said the team had no comment. ESPN was first to report the transfer request.

It was not clear if the transfer requests were in any way related to Steve Tisch’s name appearing in the Jeffrey Epstein files released by the U.S. Justice Department in January. Steve Tisch’s name came up more than 400 times in the files. Tisch at the time said he knew Epstein but denied going to his island.

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Yesterday at 1:49 PM CDT

FILE - New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch arrives for NFL owners meetings in New York, Oct. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

Travis Kelce returns to Kansas City Chiefs for 14th season with Patrick Mahomes and Co.

Dave Skretta, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Travis Kelce returns to Kansas City Chiefs for 14th season with Patrick Mahomes and Co.

Dave Skretta, The Associated Press 4 minute read Yesterday at 12:33 PM CDT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Travis Kelce will be back catching passes from Patrick Mahomes for the Kansas City Chiefs one more time.

The Chiefs made official their deal to bring the four-time All-Pro tight end back for a 14th season Wednesday, when the new league year made pending contracts official. The 36-year-old Kelce had decided in recent days to shove off retirement for another year rather than end a superlative career that includes three Super Bowl rings with a 6-11 record this past season.

The one-year deal for Kelce is worth $12 million with incentives that could push the total to $15 million.

“You always need to take a step back, breathe and let the emotions of the season settle down and see where the body is," Kelce said during an appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show" on Tuesday. “Man, I’m still in love with this game. I still love going to work, putting on the pads, grinding it out and just playing the game.”

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Yesterday at 12:33 PM CDT

FILE - Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce catches a pass against the Los Angeles Chargers during an NFL football game, Dec, 14, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga, File)

Thanksgiving Eve may join the NFL’s holiday lineup as the league explores new TV windows

Joe Reedy, The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Thanksgiving Eve may join the NFL’s holiday lineup as the league explores new TV windows

Joe Reedy, The Associated Press 2 minute read Yesterday at 11:31 AM CDT

The NFL is considering adding a game the day before Thanksgiving to this season's schedule as it continues to explore additional broadcast windows.

The possibility of a Thanksgiving Eve game was first reported by ESPN.

The three Thanksgiving Day games are among the most watched during the regular season. Last year's slate averaged 44.7 million viewers, surpassing the 2024 mark of 34.5 million.

The late-afternoon game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Dallas Cowboys on CBS averaged 57.2 million, making it the most-watched NFL regular-season game on record. The previous record was 42.1 million for the 2022 game between the Cowboys and New York Giants.

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Yesterday at 11:31 AM CDT

FILE - A Thanksgiving sign is seen around the field before an NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Dallas Cowboys, Nov. 27, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson, File)

Bills and Josh Allen agree to restructure QB’s contract in salary cap-saving move, AP source says

John Wawrow, The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Bills and Josh Allen agree to restructure QB’s contract in salary cap-saving move, AP source says

John Wawrow, The Associated Press 2 minute read Yesterday at 10:55 AM CDT

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen has agreed to restructure his contract in a move that frees up approximately $12 million in much-needed salary cap space for the team entering the NFL's new year, a person familiar with the discussions told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the discussions were to remain private. ESPN was first to report the restructuring.

The move converts $15.2 million of Allen's salary this season into a signing bonus, and comes a year after he signed a $330 million contract extension that ran through 2030.

What is essentially a move on paper for Allen is significant for the Bills because it provides general manager Brandon Beane payroll flexibility to add players as the NFL’s signing period opened on Wednesday.

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Yesterday at 10:55 AM CDT

FILE - Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) looks for a receiver during the first half of an NFL divisional round playoff football game against the Denver Broncos, Jan. 17, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

Commanders signing K’Lavon Chaisson, Chig Okonkwo, Leo Chenal and Nick Cross, AP source says

Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Commanders signing K’Lavon Chaisson, Chig Okonkwo, Leo Chenal and Nick Cross, AP source says

Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press 3 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 2:55 PM CDT

The NFL's last-ranked defense is getting a whole new crop of players, and Jayden Daniels is getting another target on offense.

The Washington Commanders agreed to terms with edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson, linebacker Leo Chenal, safety Nick Cross and tight end Chig Okonkwo, a person with knowledge of the moves told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the contracts cannot become official until the new league year begins at 4 p.m. EDT.

Chaisson's deal for next season is worth $12 million, with $10.3 million guaranteed, according to Athletes First, the agency that represents him. He is the second pass-rushing specialist joining the team after Odafe Oweh agreed to a four-year, $100 million contract earlier this week.

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Updated: Yesterday at 2:55 PM CDT

FILE - Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, right, bobbles the ball as he is hit by Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Leo Chenal during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga, File)

Raiders have a tough decision to make regarding Maxx Crosby’s future now that trade was nixed

Rob Maaddi, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

Raiders have a tough decision to make regarding Maxx Crosby’s future now that trade was nixed

Rob Maaddi, The Associated Press 5 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 11:49 AM CDT

A deal isn’t a deal until it’s official.

The Las Vegas Raiders learned that hard lesson Tuesday night when the Baltimore Ravens backed out of a blockbuster trade for star edge rusher Maxx Crosby.

A person with knowledge of Baltimore’s decision told The Associated Press that Crosby failed his physical. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because those results are private.

Crosby underwent surgery in January to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. He missed the final two games of the season because of the injury despite wanting to play through it at the time.

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Updated: Yesterday at 11:49 AM CDT

Star edge rusher Trey Hendrickson heading to Baltimore on 4-year, $112 million deal, AP source says

Noah Trister, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

Star edge rusher Trey Hendrickson heading to Baltimore on 4-year, $112 million deal, AP source says

Noah Trister, The Associated Press 5 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 5:52 PM CDT

By Wednesday afternoon, the Baltimore Ravens had a deal with Trey Hendrickson, their two first-round picks back — and some explaining to do.

Hendrickson agreed on a four-year, $112 million contract with the Ravens, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the contract wasn't finalized. Baltimore landed the four-time Pro Bowl edge rusher a day after backing out of a blockbuster trade for star pass rusher Maxx Crosby of the Raiders.

A person with knowledge of Baltimore’s decision told the AP that Crosby failed his physical. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because those results are private.

When the Ravens were able to pivot quickly to Hendrickson, that opened them up to even more suspicion over how they'd handled the previous few days.

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Updated: Yesterday at 5:52 PM CDT

FILE - Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) looks on during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean, File)

Kyler Murray or Tua Tagovailoa could end up being the best bargains in NFL free agency

Rob Maaddi, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Kyler Murray or Tua Tagovailoa could end up being the best bargains in NFL free agency

Rob Maaddi, The Associated Press 4 minute read Yesterday at 5:02 AM CDT

Kyler Murray or Tua Tagovailoa could end up being the best bargains in free agency if either quarterback can regain their Pro Bowl form.

While NFL teams have committed billions of dollars on the first two days of the legal tampering period, the Atlanta Falcons snagged Tagovailoa for the veteran’s minimum of $1.2 million. The Dolphins owe him $54 million.

Murray will cost a team $1.3 million because the Cardinals are on the hook for $36.8 million of his remaining salary that was guaranteed.

The Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks got their quarterback in free agency last year. Could Tagovailoa or Murray lead a team to a Lombardi trophy? Probably not.

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Yesterday at 5:02 AM CDT

March 12, 2026

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