Mar 17, 2020

Huge moves will open NFL free-agency: Tom Brady leaving Patriots

Posted Mar 17, 2020 1:46 PM

Associated Press

Big moves in NFL free agency

Brady bailing on New England Patriots

Tom Brady is poised to leave the New England Patriots. Brady posted on social media β€œmy football journey will take place elsewhere.” The comments by the 42-year-old quarterback were the first to indicate he would leave the franchise he’s led to six Super Bowl titles, and the only professional football home he has had. The one-year contract Brady signed prior to last season expires Wednesday afternoon. He actually could still work out a new deal with New England but his Instagram post suggests that won't happen.

Vikings trading star receiver Diggs

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) β€” The Buffalo Bills are set to acquire wide receiver Stefon Diggs in a trade with the Minnesota Vikings, a person with direct knowledge of the move confirmed to The Associated Press. The Bills agreed to give up four draft picks, including their first-round selection this year, to land a fifth-year player who has topped 1,000 yards receiving in each of the past two seasons, the person said. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the trade cannot be completed until the start of the new league year Wednesday. The Bills also get a seventh-round pick in the deal, which was first reported by FoxSports.com. 

Cowboys keeping Amari Cooper, franchise tag given to QB Dak Prescott

The Dallas Cowboys have an agreement on a long-term contract with receiver Amari Cooper. Now they'll keep working on a deal with Dak Prescott after putting the franchise tag on their star quarterback. A person with direct knowledge of the deal says the Cowboys and Cooper have agreed on a $100 million, five-year contract. Cooper was set to become an unrestricted free agent and was already free to talk to other teams because the Cowboys had to use the franchise tag on Prescott. Dallas traded a first-round pick to get Cooper from Oakland midseason in 2018.

Vikings signing Cousins to $66 million extension

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) β€” The Minnesota Vikings and quarterback Kirk Cousins have agreed to a two-year, $66 million contract extension. Cousins was entering the final season of the fully guaranteed, three-year, $84 million contract he signed as a free agent in 2018. He was scheduled to carry a $31 million charge to Minnesota's salary cap in 2020. The impetus for doing a new deal now was immediate relief for the team and additional security for Cousins. He was fourth in the NFL with a 107.4 passer rating in 2019.