Bears sign WR Goodwin

The Chicago Bears signed wide receiver Marquise Goodwin to a one-year contract Friday. Goodwin has 140 receptions for 2,323 yards and 13 touchdowns over seven seasons with the Buffalo Bills (2013-16) and San Francisco 49ers (2017-19). He had a career-best 962 yards in 2017 with San Francisco. Goodwin opted out of last season — his first and only year with Philadelphia — because of covid-19 concerns. A track and field standout, he was a two-time national champion in the long jump at Texas and made the 2012 U.S. Olympic team. He was a third-round draft pick of the Bills in 2013.

Browns release Richardson

Cleveland Browns’ veteran tackle

Sheldon Richardson’s contract was terminated Friday, a move that creates more salary-cap space but also a hole in the middle of Cleveland’s defensive line. Days after adding free agent end Jadeveon Clowney, the Browns parted with Richardson, who started 16 games last season and played well for the team since signing a three-year, $37 million contract with Cleveland in 2019. The Browns will save around $12 million in cash and salary cap space with Richardson off the roster. Cleveland had roughly $10.3 million left under the cap after signing Clowney to an incentive-laden, one-year deal this week.

Patriots re-sign CB Jackson

The New England Patriots have re-signed cornerback J.C. Jackson, bringing back the former undrafted free agent who finished second in the NFL in interceptions in 2020. The restricted free agent returns to New England where he will be paid $3.88 million this upcoming season after signing the second-round ten- der the Patriots placed on him prior to the start of free agency. He will become an unrestricted free agent next offseason. The 25-year-old’s career-high nine interceptions last season led the Patriots and were second in the NFL behind Miami cornerback Xavien Howard’s 10. Jackson had eight interceptions over his first two seasons in the league, and has started 22 of 45 career games.