Cousins lands with Falcons
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 last year.
Wilson led Seattle to eight playoff appearances and a Super Bowl title in 10 seasons with the Seahawks.
The Steelers lost a wild-card playoff game with Mason Rudolph as their starting quarterback.
Rudolph went 3-0 after replacing Kenny Pickett, who was 7-5 before going down with an injury. Mitch Trubisky started the other two games and went 0-2.
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 27year-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 on Monday.
The deal is reportedly worth $24 million, with $15.3 million guaranteed.
Acquired by Philadelpia from Detroit in a draft day trade last year, the 25-year-old Swift had his best season. He ran for a career-high 1,049 yards and five touchdowns, and made his first Pro Bowl.
Mayfield agrees to stay with Bucs
Baker Mayfield is staying with Tampa Bay after agreeing to a three-year contract worth up to $115 million, with $50 million guaranteed.
Mayfield, who has played with four teams over the past three seasons, resurrected his career in 2023 after joining the Bucs on a oneyear contract following the retirement of Tom Brady and leading the the team to the NFC South title.
Texans lose two but gain two
Defensive end Jonathan Greenard has agreed to a four-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings worth $76 million, with $42 million guaranteed. Greenard led the Texans with 12½ sacks in 2023.
The Vikings also plucked linebacker Blake Cashman from the Texans on a three-year deal
worth $25.5 million.
The Texans agreed to deals with former Falcons cornerback Jeff Okudah and former Titans defensive tackle Denico Autry.
Okudah, a 2020 firstround pick, is expected to immediately compete for a starting role left vacant by Steven Nelson.
Autry is also expected to start. The 33-year-old had 111⁄2 sacks last season.
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 twoyear, $25 million deal with $15 million guaranteed. Wilkins agreed to a fouryear, $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. … 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 threeyear, $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.