Mayo: Patriots will spend

Patriots coach Jerod Mayo was asked Monday during an interview on WEEI if he had assurances from owner Robert Kraft about how much money is available to be spent to improve the roster.

“We’re bringing in talent, one thousand percent,” Mayo said. “Have a lot of cap space and cash. Ready to burn some cash.”

According to Spotrac, the Patriots have approximately $68 million in cap space, which is the fourth-most in the NFL.

They’ve also ranked last in cash spending over the last 10 years, according to ESPN. New England’s spending in 2021 was a bit of an outlier, the report noted. The team spent $222 million during a “then-record binge,” but that was after finishing at the bottom of the league during 2020.

Now, following the franchise’s worst season in more than three decades, how much cash is Kraft prepared to burn? A portion of the cash will go toward re-signing players. Hunter Henry, Trent Brown, Kyle Dugger, Josh Uche, and Mike Onwenu are among the team’s top free agents.

Then there’s the free agent market, which could be tapped to bring in some outside talent.

And, of course, the Patriots could improve the roster through the draft. They hold the No. 3 pick.

Last June, Boston Sports Journal’s Greg Bedard quoted Kraft as saying: “[Bill Belichick] has never come to me and not gotten everything he wanted from a cash-spending perspective. We have never set limits.’ And he further went on to say, ‘Money spending will never be the issue, I promise you, or I’ll sell the team.’ So that’s pretty definitive.”

KHARI THOMPSON

49ers’ Samuel may play

Powerful wide receiver Deebo Samuel does not have a fracture in his shoulder, ESPN reported Monday. The 49ers said there is a chance Samuel plays against the Lions in the NFC Championship game Sunday night.

Coach Kyle Shanahan said an MRI did not reveal a break in the shoulder, in which Samuel injured earlier this season.

Samuel was hurt early in Sunday’s duvisional round victory over the Packers.

“If we know he’s not available — which hopefully we would know that by Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, at least in those three days — then it makes it easier, at least from a gameplan standpoint; you don’t have to do much,” Shanahan said.

Lions add TE Ertz

The Lions agreed to a deal with three-time Pro Bowl tight end Zach Ertz, a person familiar with the decision the told the Associated Press.

Ertz was traded by the Eagles to Arizona during the 2021 season and asked for his release from the Cardinals earlier this season.

The Lions had little depth at tight end behind rookie Sam LaPorta after Brock Wright was knocked out of Sunday’s win over Tampa Bay with a forearm injury.

Callahan, Titans agree

The Titans have agreed to hire Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan as their head coach, a person familiar with the decision told the Associated Press.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal hadn’t been finalized.

Callahan replaces Mike Vrabel, who was fired Jan. 9 after six seasons and losing 18 of his final 24 games.

Callahan, 39, had a virtual interview with Tennessee Jan. 12, the first of 10 candidates to speak to the team. The Titans interviewed Callahan in person Monday and decided to hire him, the person said.

Morgan promoted

The Panthers promoted Dan Morgan to president of football operations and general manager, handing the task of turning around the struggling franchise to a former star linebacker with the team.

Morgan, who has spent the past three seasons as the Panthers' assistant GM, will oversee the personnel operation, the team announced.

The Panthers are 31-68 since David Tepper bought the team in 2018, tied with the Jets for the worst record in the league in that span. They have not been to the postseason since 2017.

Jaguars hire DC Nielsen

The Jaguars hired Falcons defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen for the same position, tasking him with revamping a unit that was one of the worst in the league late in the season.

Nielsen, 44, takes over for Mike Caldwell, who was fired along with seven defensive assistants a day after the Jaguars (9-8) ended the season by losing five of six and missing the playoffs.

Browns want Flacco back

Joe Flacco’s short, surprising stint with the Browns could lead to a second season in Cleveland — maybe as Deshaun Watson’s backup.

General manager Andrew Berry said Monday that he would “absolutely love” to re-sign the 39-year-old Flacco, who went 4-1 as a starter and helped the Browns make the playoffs after Watson suffered a season-ending shoulder injury.

Berry noted there could be financial limitations that prevent Flacco from returning, but said he’s open to the possibility.