NFL Player News

Bowden will become an unrestricted free agent after the Saints informed him Sunday that he won't be tendered a contract for 2024, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Bowden had been an exclusive-rights free agent, but because bringing him back would have cost New Orleans around $3 million for 2024, the Saints are letting the depth receiver explore his options on the open market. New Orleans benefited from the versatility that Bowden offered as a pass catcher, rusher, returner and blocker over his 15 appearances in 2023, so it wouldn't be surprising if the organization looked to re-sign him at a lower rate, provided he doesn't draw a more lucrative offer from another club.

Lockett and the Seahawks agreed on a two-year, $30 million restructured contract with a maximum value of $34 million Saturday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

Lockett had two years and $34 million remaining on the four-year deal he signed with the team in 2021, so Saturday's deal moves some of the money while he'll get $13 million guaranteed in 2024, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. With the restructured deal, the Seahawks have seemingly added a little more wiggle room to their salary cap situation heading into the official start of NFL free agency Wednesday. Lockett had a down year by his standards in 2023, reeling in 79 receptions for 894 yards and five touchdowns, which represented his lowest yardage and touchdown totals since 2017.

Mims projects to be the team's No. 2 target after Jerry Jeudy was traded to the Browns on Saturday, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.

Head coach Sean Payton made a point of mentioning his affinity for Mims after the Broncos selected the Oklahoma product in the second round of last year's draft despite not having any obvious need at wide receiver with Courtland Sutton and Jeudy on the roster. That hype quickly faded, as Mims amounted to more of a deep-ball specialist when the aforementioned duo was both healthy, but the soon-to-be 22-year-old will have plenty of time to succeed in the offense this season with Saturday's trade confirmed. Mims' success will obviously depend on who ultimately takes over as the Broncos' next signal caller, but it's unclear if the team will lean toward a rookie or build around one of the few established veterans expected to be on the open market come the new league year.

The Browns acquired Jeudy from the Broncos on Saturday in exchange for 2024 fifth-round and sixth-round picks, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

The move clears close to $13 million in cap space for the Broncos, who have been in a complete roster teardown after a disappointing campaign under first-year head coach Sean Payton. The Browns have now acquired a wide receiver via trade in three straight offseasons, with Amari Cooper and Elijah Moore coming to Cleveland in 2022 and 2023, respectively. While Cooper has should remain the Browns' No. 1 wideout in 2024, Moore likely will drop to third on the depth chart with the acquisition of Jeudy, who heads to Cleveland with a chance to change his career arc after four largely ho-hum seasons in Denver.

Eskridge (ribs) signed a one-year, $1.055 million contract with the Seahawks on Friday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

The 2021 second-round pick has been a massive disappointment given the draft capital invested, but Eskridge has proven to be a decent returner, registering 370 kick return yards over the past two years. The third-year wide receiver has yet to play a full season and most recently missed time last campaign due to a ribs injury that kept him out the final six contests.

The Panthers chose to not tender Smith-Marsette on Friday, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

Smith-Marsette could be on the move this offseason after the Panthers decided not to tender him Friday. The 24-year-old wideout primarily served as the Panthers' top punt returner last season, recording 322 return yards (including a 79-yard touchdown). Despite Carolina not tendering the restricted free agent, the team would like to re-sign Smith-Marsette this offseason, according to Person.

Pittsburgh is releasing Robinson on Friday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

Robinson and veteran cornerback Patrick Peterson are both being cut by the Steelers, saving roughly $10 and $7 million against the cap for the team, respectively. Even though he started all 17 games last season and played a hefty 741 offensive snaps, Robinson concluded the 2023 campaign with just 34 catches for 280 yards on 49 targets, without a touchdown. Now heading into his age-31 campaign, the veteran wideout may be able to latch on as a No. 3 option elsewhere in the league if he agrees to an affordable salary, but his days of fantasy relevance may well be over.

Patrick (Achilles) and the Broncos have an agreement to alter his contract for 2024, Nick Kosmider of The Athletic reports.

The first two seasons of Patrick's three-year, $30 million contract were wiped out by severe injuries during training camp -- an ACL tear in 2022 and then a torn Achilles' tendon in 2023. He's now 30 years old and entering the final year of the extension, so he presumably would've been released if he hadn't agreed to lower his $9.5 million base salary for 2024. While never a high-volume pass catcher, Patrick had 742 yards and six TDs on 79 targets in 2020 (64.6 percent catch rate, 14.5 YPC, 9.4 YPT), followed by 734 yards and five TDs on 85 targets in 2021 (62.4 percent, 13.8 YPC, 8.6 YPT).

Bourne (knee) expects to be able to do some work in the spring and will be a full go for training camp, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

Bourne is rehabbing from a torn ACL that he suffered in Week 8 of the 2023 season. He was on pace to shatter his personal bests in nearly every statistical category before his campaign was cut short. Bourne is set to become a free agent in the new league year, and he has stated that he would like to rejoin the Patriots and reportedly has an offer from the team.

Arizona offered Dortch a qualifying tender of $1.13 million for the 2024 season Thursday, Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap reports.

Dortch, an exclusive rights free agent, has no choice but to sign the tender offered to him by the Cardinals if he wants to play in the NFL for the 2024 season. Across 16 appearances last season, Dortch mostly contributed as Arizona's top punt and kick returner, but he also contributed on offense upon Kyler Murray's midseason return from injury. In all, he secured 24 passes for 280 yards and two scores.