Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht insists he does not feel betrayed by Mike Evans’ departure to the San Francisco 49ers, stating the veteran wide receiver earned the right to choose his next destination.
The franchise’s all-time scoring leader agreed a three-year deal worth $42.5m (£33.4m) with San Francisco last week.
Evans had previously expressed a strong desire to remain a Buccaneer for his entire career.
However, the highly sought-after offensive weapon ultimately opted for a fresh challenge despite receiving a more lucrative financial offer to stay in Tampa.
A difficult departure
Licht, who made the formidable pass-catcher his very first draft pick back in 2014, addressed the media regarding the exit on Wednesday.
“Mike gave us everything he had for his 12 seasons here and established himself as one of the best players in the league.”
Jason Licht, Tampa Bay Buccaneers General Manager
The Buccaneers executive reiterated that he harboured no ill will towards the departing legend.
“I don’t feel betrayed. He earned the right. He earned the right to make this decision.”
The five-time Pro Bowler was instrumental in securing the Vince Lombardi Trophy for his former employers at Super Bowl LV.
Financial terms not the deciding factor
Licht revealed that the Buccaneers presented a significantly higher opening proposal than the contract ultimately accepted by their former star.
Representatives for the new Niners recruit quickly moved to clarify that his decision was not motivated by monetary gain.
During his introductory press conference in California, the record-breaking receiver echoed those exact sentiments.
“The money was not the biggest factor for me. It was just football and something that I can be excited about.”
Mike Evans, San Francisco 49ers Wide Receiver
The Super Bowl champion added that relocating to the West Coast felt like it was providing him with a vital second wind for the latter stages of his playing days.
The Philadelphia Eagles have acquired veteran quarterback Andy Dalton from the Carolina Panthers in exchange for a 2027 seventh-round draft pick.
The 38-year-old will relocate to Pennsylvania to join an offensive unit led by established starter Jalen Hurts.
His arrival provides highly experienced cover for the NFC East franchise, who also feature Tanner McKee on their current depth chart.
Panthers reshape quarterback room
Carolina opted to move on from the seasoned professional after securing the services of Kenny Pickett just last week.
Pickett was specifically brought in to serve as the primary backup to starting signal-caller Bryce Young, a move that ultimately made the 15-year veteran expendable.
A proven track record
During the previous campaign, the experienced playmaker made four regular-season appearances and one start while stepping in for an injured Young.
In those outings, he successfully completed 67.6% of his pass attempts for 293 yards, registering one touchdown and a single interception.
Across his extensive career in the National Football League, the veteran has amassed 39,793 passing yards alongside 254 touchdowns and 151 interceptions.
The San Francisco 49ers have signed veteran wide receiver Christian Kirk on a one-year deal worth up to $6m to further rebuild their offensive options.
The 29-year-old arrives in California after spending last season with the Houston Texans.
His addition marks the second major acquisition for the franchise in a week, following the marquee free-agent arrival of Mike Evans.
The NFC West team are currently undertaking a significant overhaul of their receiving corps.
Overhaul continues amid impending exits
General manager John Lynch has already confirmed that star playmaker Brandon Aiyuk has played his final snap for the team.
The franchise is actively exploring trade options for Aiyuk but could release him with a post-June 1 designation to spread a $29.5m salary cap hit.
Jauan Jennings remains an unrestricted free agent after failing to agree a contract extension last offseason.
Meanwhile, Kendrick Bourne has joined the Arizona Cardinals and Skyy Moore has signed for the Green Bay Packers.
Playoff pedigree and injury history
The former Arizona Cardinals draft pick endured a frustrating regular season in Texas, missing four games due to persistent hamstring issues.
However, the versatile wideout demonstrated his value during the playoffs with an eight-catch, 144-yard performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
That standout postseason display set a new franchise playoff record for the Texans.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan is expected to utilise the new signing primarily as a slot receiver, working inside Evans and Ricky Pearsall.
Looking to the NFL Draft
The experienced pass-catcher could also feature on special teams as a return specialist following Moore’s departure.
Despite securing two high-profile veterans in free agency, the Bay Area outfit remain in a strong position to further bolster their ranks.
The franchise currently possesses six picks across the opening four rounds of the upcoming NFL Draft in April.
The New York Jets are finalising a deal to send quarterback Justin Fields to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for a 2027 sixth-round draft pick.
The move to the defending Super Bowl champions is pending a successful medical examination, according to reports from ESPN in the United States.
Despite interest from multiple franchises across the league, the player’s strong preference was to secure a switch to Missouri.
Mahomes backup role awaits
Upon arriving at Arrowhead Stadium, the dual-threat signal-caller will provide immediate and crucial cover for star player Patrick Mahomes.
The three-time Super Bowl Most Valuable Player is currently working his way back to full fitness following a devastating torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
Kansas City were forced to seek reinforcements after last season’s deputy, Gardner Minshew, departed in free agency to join the Arizona Cardinals.
A difficult spell in New York
This swift departure ends a highly disappointing tenure on the East Coast for the former first-round draft pick.
He initially joined the Jets last March on a lucrative two-year contract worth $40m (£31.5m).
However, the 25-year-old struggled significantly under centre and was eventually demoted to the bench in favour of veteran Tyrod Taylor.
The Kansas City Chiefs have signed Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker on a three-year, $45m deal in a move designed to revitalize their rushing attack.
The former Seattle Seahawks running back arrives to provide much-needed support for quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who is currently returning from a recent injury.
In a double boost for the franchise, veteran tight end Travis Kelce has also delayed his impending retirement to play a 14th NFL season in 2026.
Explosive running threat
Walker joins the AFC heavyweights after an outstanding championship-winning campaign.
The dynamic runner was crowned Super Bowl MVP in February after leading his former team to victory over the New England Patriots in Santa Clara.
Analysts believe this high-profile arrival directly addresses a glaring weakness in the Kansas City offense.
The franchise struggled to generate expansive plays on the ground last season, with their backfield combining for just a single rush of 20 or more yards.
NFL analyst Phoebe Schecter highlighted the stark contrast between the new signing and the team’s existing, more rigid rushing personnel.
“The Chiefs for ages now, one of the biggest complaints around them is they have no explosive run game.”
“A guy like Kenneth Walker, just coming off his Super Bowl MVP, he’s had four-plus runs of over 50 yards.”
Taking pressure off Mahomes
The addition of the talented ball-carrier is expected to ease the creative burden on Mahomes as he orchestrates the offense.
Fellow analyst Jeff Reinebold emphasized that the star quarterback has been forced to carry too much of the workload with an average receiving corps.
“He’s got to be the guy that takes some of the pressure off of Patrick.”
“Right now, Pat’s having to create; throwing the ball to receivers that I’d say are somewhere in the mid-pack of the NFL as a group.”
While Kelce’s decision to return provides a familiar and reliable target, Reinebold noted that the 36-year-old’s physical capabilities have naturally declined.
“He gets Kelce back, which is going to be good, but Kelce is a lumbering tight end now: he’s not a nifty guy anymore.”
The Chiefs will now focus on integrating their new multi-million dollar asset into the backfield as they assemble their roster for the 2026 campaign.
The Atlanta Falcons have signed former Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa on a one-year deal to compete with Michael Penix Jr for the starting role.
New general manager Ian Cunningham confirmed on Friday that the 28-year-old is undergoing a medical at the team’s training facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia.
Cunningham insisted the starting spot is entirely up for grabs despite the presence of last year’s first-round draft pick.
“For Tua coming in here, he knows he’s coming in to compete.”
Ian Cunningham, Atlanta Falcons general manager
A new regime brings a change of plan
Penix is currently recovering from surgery to repair a torn ACL suffered last November.
While the 25-year-old hopes to be ready for the opening week of the season, typical recovery times suggest his availability remains uncertain.
The previous coaching staff had firmly committed to the recovering passer as their undisputed starter once fully fit.
However, a completely overhauled management group has refused to make the same guarantee following a second consecutive 8-9 campaign.
Atlanta recently hired Kevin Stefanski as head coach and appointed former franchise star Matt Ryan as president of football.
Low-risk move for an experienced passer
The Hawaiian-born signal-caller arrives on a modest $1.3m (£1m) contract.
His departure cost his former Florida-based employers a massive $67.4m in dead salary cap space.
Despite struggling with concussions and throwing 15 interceptions last season, the former Pro Bowler was the NFL’s completion percentage leader in 2024.
Eager to avoid repeating the chaotic handling of Kirk Cousins’ arrival last year, Cunningham stressed that open communication took place before signing a new rival.
“You don’t want to blindside somebody, and that’s just how we operate. We want to have open conversations and communication, and I feel like we did that in regards to Michael and Tua.”
The veteran brings significant experience with 120 career touchdown passes.
His arrival offers vital insurance if the highly-rated younger prospect suffers any setbacks in his rehabilitation.
Atlanta Falcons defender James Pearce Jr has been charged with three felonies by Miami-Dade prosecutors following an alleged vehicular altercation with WNBA player Rickea Jackson and a subsequent police chase on 7 February.
The 22-year-old faces charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing and eluding police, and resisting an officer with violence.
A fourth initial arrest charge of felony aggravated stalking has been reduced to a misdemeanour by the Florida State Attorney.
Police pursuit and arrest
Court documents allege the edge rusher followed his ex-girlfriend’s car before repeatedly using his own vehicle to collide with hers.
The Los Angeles Sparks forward was attempting to reach the Doral police station in Florida when the alleged ramming occurred.
After being confronted by law enforcement, the American footballer allegedly initiated a vehicle pursuit before crashing at a nearby intersection.
He is accused of fleeing the crash scene on foot and subsequently resisting officers with violence before being subdued.
The defender spent a night in a county correctional centre before paying a $20,500 bond for his release on 8 February.
Protective injunction granted
Jackson filed a petition for a protective order in Miami-Dade County the day after the player’s release.
The basketball star wrote in her court filing that she feared for her life without immediate judicial intervention.
“James will kill me.”
She alleged the NFL player had verbally and physically abused her on multiple occasions.
The filing claims he threatened to harm her and stated he would place a bag over her head.
A temporary protection order was granted, mandating the Falcons player remains at least 500 feet from her home and workplace.
A permanent injunction hearing has been scheduled by the court for 21 April.
NFL and ongoing investigations
Police records reveal officers responded to a minimum of seven other emergency calls involving the couple between November and the day of the arrest.
Attorneys representing both athletes have not yet responded to media requests for comment.
An NFL spokesperson confirmed the league is actively reviewing the situation.
“We continue to monitor all developments in the matter which remains under review of the personal conduct policy.”
The Atlanta Falcons organisation has formally declined to comment on the ongoing legal proceedings.
Former Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray has signed a one-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings to provide competition for J.J. McCarthy.
The agreement was officially announced by the franchise on Thursday following his release from Arizona.
Minnesota will pay just $1.3m of the massive $36.8m guaranteed salary remaining from his previous long-term agreement.
The Cardinals originally agreed to part ways with the dynamic playmaker on 3 March, though the transaction only became official on Wednesday.
Seeking quarterback competition
The arrival of the former first-overall pick creates an intriguing quarterback dynamic in Minneapolis.
He joins a demanding environment that features highly-touted prospect McCarthy, whom the franchise selected 10th overall in the NFL draft.
Vikings management had identified the experienced signal-caller as a primary target weeks before he officially reached the open market.
Missing out on Smith
Minnesota had actively sought a veteran presence to challenge their young starter ahead of the upcoming campaign.
The franchise had previously expressed strong interest in acquiring seasoned campaigner Geno Smith.
However, the Las Vegas Raiders traded Smith to the New York Jets before the Vikings could mount a concrete challenge for his signature.