NFL Player News

Watson (Achilles) agreed to terms Friday on a restructured contract with the Browns that converts a portion of his $80.71 million cap hit for the 2026 season into bonuses, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Watson's restructure provides Cleveland with increased flexibility ahead of the start of the legal tampering period March 9. The 30-year-old quarterback is heading into the final year of the fully guaranteed five-year contract he inked with the Browns back in 2022, and Cabot reports that Watson is now back to full health after having undergone two surgeries to repair the right Achilles tendon he re-ruptured after the 2024 season. Cleveland general manager Andrew Berry recently named both Watson and Shedeur Sanders as candidates to compete for the team's starting quarterback job in 2026, per Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.

Singletary agreed to terms Friday on a restructured contract with the Giants, converting a portion of his base salary into bonus incentives, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.

Singletary had entered the offseason as a likely cut candidate, but his contract restructure makes it realistic for him to remain with New York for the 2026 campaign. That said, Cam Skattebo (ankle) and Tyrone Tracy figure to open the 2026 season above Singletary on the backfield depth chart, leaving him in the No. 3 backfield role. The 28-year-old carried the ball 118 times for 437 yards (3.7 YPC) and five touchdowns while playing all 17 regular-season contests in 2025, the least statistically efficient year of his career. He also secured 18 of 19 targets for 151 receiving yards.

Johnson and the Saints agreed to terms on a contract restructure Friday, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Johnson's restructure converts part of his base salary into a signing bonus, freeing up $6.29 million in cap space for the team. The veteran tight end enjoyed a career year in head coach Kellen Moore's offense in 2025 and flashed reliable rapport with quarterback Tyler Shough, totaling a career-best 77-889-3 receiving line (103 targets) while suiting up for all 17 regular-season games. Looking ahead to the 2026 campaign, Johnson projects as a high-floor fantasy option and fair candidate to outperform his ADP.

Kamara (knee) agreed to terms Friday on a restructured contract with the Saints, lowering his cap his for the 2026 season by roughly $8 million, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

The Saints also converted the contracts of Juwan Johnson and Justin Reid, converting part of their base salary into signing bonuses, but Kamara's restructure differs in that it provides New Orleans with flexibility if he isn't on the team. The veteran running back is heading into his age-31 season and missed the final six games of the 2025 campaign due to an MCL injury, but there have been no indications that the issue could impact his level of offseason participation. Whether Kamara departs or remains with the Saints, he will likely settle into a complementary role for the 2026 campaign.

The Raiders placed an exclusive rights free-agent tender on McCollum on Thursday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

McCollum is thus on track to stay with the Raiders instead of hitting free agency, remaining in Las Vegas after he compiled 14 total tackles (11 solo) and a pass defensed over 16 regular-season games in 2025. The 26-year-old will likely compete for a top reserve spot behind Isaiah Pola-Mao and Jeremy Chinn (back) at safety in 2026.

Edmunds was released by the Bears on Thursday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Edmunds was granted permission to seek a trade by the Bears on Feb. 25, but after no deal materialized, he will now hit the open market. The transaction will free up an additional $15 million in cap space for Chicago ahead of free agency, per Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com. The linebacker is coming off of a 2025 season in which he registered 112 total tackles (61 solo), including 1.0 sacks, while also adding nine passes defensed, four of which were interceptions, and a fumble recovery over 13 regular-season contests. Edmunds has never finished with fewer than 102 total tackles in any of his eight professional seasons with the Bills and Bears, and he'll likely garner plenty of attention as a free agent.

Hunter and the Texans agreed on a one-year, $40.1 million contract extension Thursday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Hunter -- who is now under contract with Houston through 2027 -- is coming off of a 2025 campaign during which he compiled 54 total tackles (28 solo), including 15.0 sacks, while also recording three passes defensed, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery over 17 regular-season games. The defensive lineman has combined to produced 27.0 sacks over two years with the Texans, and his new extension certainly reflects his value to the franchise. Look for Hunter to have another productive season in 2026 while starting opposite of Will Anderson on Houston's defensive line.

The Raiders extended an exclusive rights free agent tender to Putnam on Thursday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

Putnam suited up for 15 games, started two and played on 139 offensive snaps in 2025. The 6-foot-4, 301-pounder, who played his college ball at Clemson, originally joined the Raiders as an undrafted free agent in April of 2024.

The Jets exercised an exclusive rights free agent tender on McCrary-Ball (hamstring) on Thursday, Eric Allen of the team's official site reports.

McCrary-Ball appeared in just five games for the Jets in 2025 due to a hamstring injury, though the linebacker did finish with a career-high 23 tackles (11 solo). He played on 106 defensive snaps last year after seeing just three in 2023 and '24 combined.

Higbee and the Rams agreed on a two-year, $8 million contract Thursday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Higbee will remain with the Rams after just completing his 10th campaign with the team, catching 25 of 36 targets for 281 yards and three touchdowns over 10 regular-season contests in 2025. The 33-year-old will look to compete with Colby Parkinson for the No. 1 role at tight end next season, though Los Angeles has proven to use multiple tight ends often in the past.