Falcons land Cousins with four-year deal
Kirk Cousins is leaving Minnesota for Atlanta, landing another big contract with a well-timed foray into free agency.
Cousins agreed Monday to a four-year deal with the Falcons, his agent Mike McCartney announced on social media. Atlanta had a glaring need at quarterback after cycling through Tyler Heinicke and Desmond Ridder last season, and Cousins' wife, Julie, grew up in the metro area.
Working his way back from a torn Achilles tendon in his right foot that sidelined him because of an injury for the first time in his career, Cousins had a 103.8 passer rating in eight games for the Vikings last season that was still the third best in the league despite the lost time.
Steelers to give Wilson short deal
Russell Wilson is heading to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback has agreed to sign a one-year deal with the Steelers, a person familiar with the details said Sunday night.
The person, speaking on condition of anonymity because the contract hasn’t been finalized, said Wilson will receive the veteran’s minimum of $1.21 million while the Denver Broncos pay the remainder of his $39 million salary.
Wilson posted his intentions on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, saying: “Year 13. Grateful. (at)Steelers.”
The 35-year-old Wilson was 11-19 in two seasons with the Broncos after being acquired in a trade from Seattle. He bounced back from a dreadful 2022 season and threw 3,070 yards, 26 touchdowns and only eight interceptions, but still lost his job to Jarrett Stidham after going 7-8 in coach Sean Payton’s first season last year.
Wilson led Seattle to eight playoff appearances and a Super Bowl title in 10 seasons with the Seahawks.
Barkley leaves Giants for Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles have agreed to terms with former New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley on a three-year, $37.75 million deal, with $26 million fully guaranteed.
Barkley was the top free-agent running back heading into the new league year, which begins on Wednesday.
The 27-year-old spent all six seasons of his NFL career to date with the Giants.
Last season, Barkley played for the Giants on the franchise tag, collecting 962 yards and six touchdowns on 247 carries in 14 games.
The Giants drafted Barkley in the first round, No. 2 overall in the 2018 draft. That year, Barkley racked up a league-high 2,028 yards from scrimmage (1,307 rushing yards and 721 receiving yards).
The Eagles also added former New York Jets defensive end Bryce Huff, who is set to sign a threeyear deal for $51 million.
Bears have deal with RB Swift
The Chicago Bears and Pro Bowl running back D'Andre Swift have agreed to a three-year contract, a person familiar with the deal said.
The deal is reportedly worth $24 million, with $15.3 million guaranteed.
Swift, 25, had his best season with the Eagles in 2023. He ran for a careerhigh 1,049 yards.
Burns gets hefty deal from Giants
The New York Giants have agreed to acquire edge rusher Brian Burns from the Carolina Panthers.
Burns is getting a fiveyear contract worth up to $150 million with $87.5 million in guarantees. The two-time Pro Bowl pick becomes the secondhighest paid defensive end in NFL history.
Odds and ends
The Las Vegas Raiders agreed to contracts with quarterback Gardner Minshew and defensive tackle Christian Wilkins. Minshew, who is expected to be compete with Aidan O'Connell to be the starter,.agreed to a two-year, $25 million deal with $15 million guaranteed. Wilkins agreed to a four-year, $110 contract with $84.75 million guaranteed. Wilkins played his first five seasons for Miami, with whom he became one of the NFL's top run stoppers. … San Francisco added needed help at pass rusher, agreeing to a two-year, $20 million contract with Leonard Floyd, who had 101⁄2 sacks last season with Buffalo. …
The Green Bay Packers agreed to deals with running back Josh Jacobs and safety Xavier McKinney while releasing two longtime stalwarts. Jacobs is coming off a career-low 805 yards with the Raiders after rushing for a league-leading 1,653 yards in 2022. McKinney agreed to a $68 million, four-year deal after leaving the New York Giants. The Packers cut ties with running back Aaron Jones and left tackle David Bakhtiari. … Indianapolis is closing in on a three-year, $70 million deal with $46 million in guarantees to keep receiver Michael Pittman Jr, a person with knowledge of the deal said. …
The Jacksonville Jaguars and former Buffalo receiver Gabe Davis agreed to a three-year, $39 million contract. Adding Davis means Jacksonville is moving on from Calvin Ridley, who is expected to be one of the top receivers on the market. Jacksonville also agreed to a deal with free agent center Mitch Morse on a two-year, $10.5 million contract that includes $7 million guaranteed. Morse, who turns 32 next month, was cut by Buffalo in a salary capsavings move last week. … The Bills reached an agreement to sign left tackle Dion Dawkins to a three-year extension.