Bears extend punter O’Donnell
One day after agreeing to bring back kicker Cairo Santos, the Bears are doing the same with punter Pat O’Donnell. O’Donnell will return on a one-year deal, the team confirmed to the Sun-Times on Friday.
O’Donnell — whom the Bears drafted in 2014 — was one of three key members of the Bears’ special teams staring at free agency this offseason. The Bears now are down to one specialist in limbo with the start of the league year looming March 17: long snapper Patrick Scales.
In late December, special-teams coordinator Chris Tabor seemed pleased with O’Donnell’s performance in 2020, which included holding on field goals and extra points.
“Obviously, I think he’s handled field position real well for us, with regard to inside the 20s and 10s and those type of things,” he said. “I think just him holding for field goals. The little things of manipulating the football, with regards to, ‘It’s a left-to-right wind, right-toleft, how I’m going to work the laces,’ and those type of things.
“Those are really important things that he’s really good at. So I’m glad he’s here, and I think he’s playing at a high level.”
Brady signs with bucs through ’22
Tom Brady agreed to a one-year contract extension with the Buccaneers that provides the Super Bowl champions with much-needed salary-cap relief and will help the seventime NFL champion reach a goal of playing until he’s at least 45.
The extension frees about $19 million in salary-cap space, a move that improves Tampa Bay’s chances of returning as much of its championship roster as possible for 2021.
The five-time Super Bowl MVP capped his first season with the Bucs by leading them to their first championship in 18 years.
Chiefs to restructure Mahomes’ contract
The Chiefs reportedly are expected to restructure quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ contract to provide some cap relief.
The team is expected to convert Mahomes’ $21.7 million roster bonus to a signing bonus in the coming days, which would save the Chiefs $17 million against the salary cap, sources told ESPN.
In July 2020, Mahomes agreed to a 10-year, $450 million extension, which could be worth up to $503 million. The extension includes a $140 million injury guarantee, as well as a notrade clause.
Newton back with pats on one-year deal
Cam Newton will re-sign with the Patriots on a one-year deal worth up to $13.6 million, with about $6 million tied to incentives, a source told ESPN. Newton had an up-anddown 2020 season. He missed time after contracting
COVID-19 and struggled to lead the offense as he tried to fill the void created by Tom Brady’s departure.
OTHER DEALS
Niners cornerback Emmanuel Moseley reportedly
agreed to a two-year contract extension worth up to $10.1 million.
Bills right tackle Daryl Williams agreed to a three-year, $28.2 million contract extension with $14 million guaranteed.