Bourne gets a three-year deal from Patriots
Kendrick Bourne is returning to the Patriots, according to a league source. Per ESPN, the 28-year-old wide receiver has agreed to a three-year deal worth up to $33 million with New England in advance of free agency.
Bourne, who sustained an ACL tear in his right knee last season, finished the year with 37 catches for 406 yards and four touchdowns in eight games. In three seasons with the Patriots, he has 127 catches for 1,640 yards and 10 touchdowns in 41 contests.
The 6-foot-1-inch, 205-pounder who has spent seven seasons in the NFL — four with San Francisco before joining New England for the 2021 season — has 264 career catches for 3,409 yards and 21 touchdowns.
On social media this offseason, Bourne certainly sounded agreeable to the idea of a return, commenting, “Make the Patriots bring me back!” following an Instagram post from teammate DeMario Douglas.
A popular and versatile pass catcher with infectious energy, Bourne had a career-high 800 receiving yards in his first season with New England. However, he fell out of favor with former offensive play-caller Matt Patricia in 2022, and ended that year with 434 receiving yards in limited action.
After an offseason mea culpa where he acknowledged that he “didn’t give the team [his] best effort” in 2022, Bourne appeared to be on track for a nice bounceback campaign with a strong stretch to open the year, but a knee injury in Miami left him sidelined the rest of the season.
Butler, 34, call it quits
Former Patriots Super Bowl hero Malcolm Butler has officially announced his retirement.
The 34-year-old cornerback, who made the game-saving play in Super Bowl XLIX when he picked off Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson on the goal line, told Houston television station KPRC over the weekend that he was happy with everything he accomplished in his career.
Butler said he’s interested in moving into the world of writing, telling reporters he wants to work on a book about his life, as well as movie scripts.
Mayfield to stay in Tampa
Baker Mayfield is staying with the Buccaneers after agreeing to a threeyear contract worth up to $115 million, a person familiar with the deal told the Associated Press.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the agreement, which includes $50 million guaranteed, had not been finalized.
The Tampa Bay Times reported Mayfield, 28, will receive $30 million in 2024 and 2025, with $20 million guaranteed in the second year of the deal. The salary would increase to $40 million in 2026, the newspaper said.
Mayfield, who has played with four teams over the past three seasons, resurrected his career in 2023 after joining the Buccaneers on a one-year contract following the retirement of Tom Brady and leading the the team to its third consecutive NFC South title.
Wilson off to Pittsburgh
Russell Wilson, recently cut loose by the Broncos, will be signing a one-year deal to play for the Steelers, according to ESPN.
The nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback will reportedly sign a team-friendly deal in which the Broncos will pay $38 million of his salary.
Wilson, 35, spent more than six hours with Steelers brass Friday.
Chiefs lock up Jones
The Super Bowl champion Chiefs and star Chris Jones have agreed to the framework of a five-year contract that includes $95 million guaranteed and keeps the All-Pro defensive tackle off the upcoming market, a person familiar with the deal told the AP.
Jones, who turns 30 in July, becomes one of the highest-paid defensive players in NFL history, falling just behind the $34 million average annual salary that is being earned by 49ers pass rusher Nick Bosa. The deal eclipses the $31.6 million average of Rams defensive end Aaron Donald, who had long represented the financial benchmark for a defensive player.
Jones made it clear immediately after the Chiefs beat the 49ers in overtime in the Super Bowl last month, allowing them to raise their second straight Lombardi Trophy and third in five years, that he was eager to chase a three-peat.
Bears add Byard
The Bears added Kevin Byard to their secondary, agreeing to a two-year contract with the veteran safety. Byard, 30, played for Tennessee and Philadelphia last season, finishing with 122 tackles and one interception . . . Eagles six-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Fletcher Cox announced his retirement. Cox, a first-round pick in 2012, played all 12 of his seasons in Philadelphia and holds the franchise record for sacks (70) by a defensive tackle.