LB Lavonte David Announces Retirement
The Buccaneers have signed two free agent linebackers, and another Lavonte David contract is not forthcoming. The stalwart Tampa Bay defender will retire after 14 seasons.
David will retire as a career-long Buccaneer and one of the greatest players in franchise history. He joins Mike Evans in leaving the team this offseason, representing a sea change for a Bucs squad that has relied on those longtime anchors amid a franchise turnaround.
“When it’s time, when you know, you know. I always wanted to be a guy who wanted to retire on my own terms. Right now is the perfect opportunity for that,” David said via Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame. “For me, man, 14 years is enough. I’m comfortable with my decision. I’m satisfied with my career.
“When I first got into the league, I never, never, ever in a million years expected to play 14 years at a high level for the same organization. I think it’s time that I hang it up and let the next generation of players come in and take over the game.”
David’s 14-year tenure matches Derrick Brooks‘ for longevity in Tampa. Like Brooks, David was present as a star off-ball linebacker for a Super Bowl win. The Bucs had fallen far from their early-2000s apex by the time David arrived in 2012. The off-ball linebacker joined Evans, Tom Brady and Co. in catalyzing a return, snapping a 12-season playoff drought with a Super Bowl LV triumph in Tampa.
Playing 215 career games, David trails only Brooks (224) and Ronde Barber (241) for most in franchise history. Both Brooks and Barber — linchpins on a four-Hall of Famer defense that steamrolled opponents en route to the franchise’s first Super Bowl title — spent their entire careers as Buccaneers. While Evans elected to join the 49ers in free agency this month, David had previously said it was Bucs or retirement. He will choose the latter route, completing a career that will warrant Canton consideration down the road.
David, who turned 36 in January, will walk away a three-time All-Pro. While the Nebraska alum only earned one Pro Bowl nod, his early-career years coming in a 4-3 defense had plenty to do with the lack of Pro Bowl accolades. The Pro Bowl grouping all linebackers — 3-4 edge rushers and off-ball defenders — together regularly limits 4-3 OLBs. David, however, spent the second half of his career as a 3-4 ILB in Todd Bowles‘ scheme. The Bucs benefited from that partnership tremendously, with David starting every game for the Super Bowl LV-winning Tampa Bay edition in 2020.
Mark Dominik drafted David 58th overall, tabbing him to play under new HC Greg Schiano. David ended up playing for five head coaches — Schiano, Lovie Smith, Dirk Koetter, Bruce Arians, Bowles — and signed five Buccaneers contracts. The latter four deals — including a five-year, $50.25MM extension during the 2015 offseason — came under longtime GM Jason Licht. David signed a two-year deal and two subsequent one-year accords to continue with the Bucs, who benefited from the linebacker’s consistency and versatility.
Finishing with 12 100-tackle seasons, David added 42.5 sacks. Among players who saw action last season, that total trails only Demario Davis (45) for sacks by a non-rush player and is among the most by an off-ball ‘backer in the sack era (1982-present). David’s presence helped a Bucs team light on post-Shaquil Barrett pass-rushing talent in recent years.
Although the Bucs chose Devin White fifth overall in 2019, David ended up outlasting him in Tampa. The team let White walk in free agency in 2024, re-signing David on a one-year deal worth $8.5MM. David, who drew outside interest as a 2025 UFA, played for $9MM last season; he produced 114 tackles and 3.5 sacks. David finished 10 seasons with double-digit tackles for loss, recording at least 17 in five seasons to finish his career with 177.
Pro Football Focus ranked David as a top-five off-ball LB in five seasons and slotted him in the top 20 three more times. Last season, the advanced metrics website ranked David 66th — a career-worst placement — but he played through a knee injury that required arthroscopic surgery this past winter. The Bucs have since agreed to terms with Alex Anzalone and Christian Rozeboom. With David retiring, Rozeboom’s deal — which surfaced Monday — looks set to place him as a starter alongside Anzalone.
For his career, David earned just more than $103MM. The 2012 draft will go down as one of the best linebacker classes in modern NFL history, having produced David, Davis, Bobby Wagner and Luke Kuechly. Wagner will join Kuechly in Canton, while David and Davis will present interesting cases. For 2026, a Bucs team big on retention will need to get by without its offensive and defensive cornerstones.
Bengals To Re-Sign QB Joe Flacco
Joe Flacco is on track to play a 19th season. The Bengals are bringing him back as Joe Burrow‘s backup, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports.
The 41-year-old passer will see a raise on his 2026 deal, according to ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler, who reports this contract will carry $6MM in base value. It can max out at $9MM. This $6MM base represents Flacco’s most lucrative contract since his 2016 Ravens extension. He has not played for more than $4.5MM since the Broncos ditched that deal in 2020.
Unsurprisingly, this latest agreement is a one-year pact. It also rounds out one of the most experienced quarterback rooms in NFL history. Well, experienced in terms of NFL years — not necessarily game reps. While Burrow and Flacco are seasoned starters, Josh Johnson — signed earlier in free agency — is known for his journeyman route. Johnson will turn 40 in May; Flacco turned 41 earlier this year.
Johnson is back on a third tour of duty with the Bengals, but the nomadic arm was reacquired as a placeholder rather than a backup option. The Bengals were not considering Johnson as their primary backup, per The Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr., who indicates Flacco was always on the radar to stay.
The Browns brought Flacco back on a one-year, $4.25MM contract in 2025 and reinstalled him as their starter. It marked Flacco’s first Week 1 start as a non-injury replacement since his 2019 Broncos one-off, but the Browns demoted the aging passer for Dillon Gabriel after four games. They then sent Flacco to the Bengals in a pick-swap deal in October, and the former Super Bowl MVP started on a few days’ notice. Flacco replaced Jake Browning, who has since signed with the Buccaneers in free agency.
Although Flacco lingered in free agency for most of the 2023 season, his stunning reemergence under Kevin Stefanski — which brought Comeback Player of the Year acclaim — effectively launched the former first-round pick’s third NFL act. Flacco’s run as a full-time starter came to an end during an injury-marred Broncos season, and he settled onto the backup level with the Jets and Eagles over the next three seasons. Flacco then replaced Deshaun Watson in an emergency circumstance and guided a battered Browns offense to the playoffs. This led to a Colts contract at 39 and then another Browns deal at 40. The Bengals liked what they saw from their latest Burrow injury fill-in and had wanted him back.
Cincinnati is understandably placing a higher value than usual on its backup QB spot. In place as Burrow’s top backup entering the past three seasons, Browning struggled when another injury befell the superstar starter. Flacco (until Aaron Rodgers returns, that is) is the NFL’s oldest active starting quarterback and went 1-5 as a Cincy starter last season. But this included much better work than Browning was providing. And Flacco played well on the whole, throwing 13 touchdown passes compared to four interceptions. He was hoping for a potential starting opportunity, but other teams have moved on with other bridge options.
The former Ravens mainstay was one of many QB options the Bengals considered amid a frantic search following Browning’s woeful stretch. The Bengals looked into Russell Wilson, Derek Carr, Sam Howell, Davis Mills, Drew Lock, Jimmy Garoppolo and others while hoping to keep their season from spiraling. Although Cincinnati did end up falling out of playoff contention, the team saw Flacco post two 300-plus-yard games. The first, a 342-yard performance, helped the Bengals to a win over the Steelers; the second, a 470-yard, four-TD outing, came in a shootout loss to the Bears.
Flacco averaged just 5.1 yards per attempt with the Browns last season; being paired with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins certainly helped his stock, and he will parlay a partial season in Cincinnati into yet another contract. Flacco fitting in will allow him to move to the doorstep of a two-decade career.
The former 11-year Ravens starter, who saw action for two college programs (Pittsburgh, Delaware), has played for seven NFL teams. He will be entrusted to back up Burrow again. Burrow has continually battled injuries as a pro.
While Burrow submitted an MVP-caliber 2024 season, the outspoken starter — whom the Bengals have staunchly refused to entertain trading — has missed extensive time due to injury in 2020, 2023 and 2025. Flacco and Johnson — the NFL’s undisputed travel kingpin — round out one of the oldest position groups in American sports history, even as Burrow is just 29. After stepping in on short notice last season, Flacco earned some trust and will be expected to replace Burrow once again if another injury intervenes.
Saints To Sign QB Zach Wilson
The Saints are adding a former second overall pick to their QB room. The team has agreed to a deal with Zach Wilson, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports. It’s a one-year pact, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.
New Orleans has its starting quarterback in Tyler Shough, who impressed as a second-round rookie in 2025. Two-year veteran Spencer Rattler is also in place, but Wilson will presumably compete with him to serve as the Saints’ primary backup next season.
The Jets bet big on Wilson when they selected him in 2021, but the move could not have turned out much worse. Over 34 appearances and 33 starts in New York, the former BYU Cougar threw more interceptions (25) than touchdowns (23). He completed just 57% of attempts and posted a dismal 73.2 passer rating. The Jets, who won just 12 of Wilson’s starts, benched him on three occasions. The team brought in Aaron Rodgers to take over as its starter in 2023, though after he tore his Achilles in Week 1, Wilson filled in for most of the year. It proved to be Wilson’s last season in New York.
While the Broncos acquired Wilson in a late-round pick swap in 2024, he did not see any action in Denver. Bo Nix stayed healthy and started in every game as a rookie. Neither Wilson nor fellow backup Jarrett Stidham attempted a pass.
Although Wilson was out of action as Denver’s third-stringer, the Dolphins still handed him a fully guaranteed $6MM on a one-year agreement last March. However, despite Tua Tagovailoa‘s immense struggles and late-season benching, Wilson did not make a start. When then-head coach Mike McDaniel demoted Tagovailoa to third-string duties in mid-December, seventh-round rookie Quinn Ewers started the last three games of the year. Over four appearances as a Dolphin, Wilson went 6 of 11 for 32 yards.
Falcons To Sign Brian Robinson
Tyler Allgeier left Atlanta for Arizona on Day 1 of free agency; the Falcons look to have landed a replacement. Brian Robinson is expected to sign with the team, CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz tweets.
The former Commanders starter, who spent last season as Christian McCaffrey‘s backup, looks set to step into Allgeier’s former Bijan Robinson complementary role. Brian Robinson agreed to a one-year, $2.5MM deal, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport adds.
[RELATED: Falcons To Add QB Trevor Siemian]
In a move that will undoubtedly open the door to some auction-draft chicanery in the fantasy realm, Atlanta assembling a two-Robinson backfield will pair two three-year starters together. Brian Robinson operated as the Commanders’ primary running back from 2022-24, finishing that run as the primary ballcarrier for Washington’s NFC championship game-qualifying edition. The Commanders, however, traded the former third-round pick to the 49ers for a sixth-rounder last August.
A between-the-tacklers grinder, Robinson never topped 800 rushing yards in a season with Washington. He came closest in 2024, finishing with 799 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. Robinson, 27, missed three games that season and seven more from 2022-23. In 2022, however, the Alabama alum completed a remarkably quick recovery after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds in an attempted carjacking. He returned and started nine games as a rookie.
Allgeier played out his Falcons rookie contract, and both Arthur Smith and Zac Robinson deployed the former fifth-round pick — a 1,000-yard rusher as a 2022 rookie — frequently during his four seasons with the team. Allgeier twice averaged at least 4.6 yards per carry, and he totaled at least 137 handoffs in each of his Atlanta seasons. The Cardinals gave Allgeier a two-year, $12.25MM deal to join James Conner in their backfield. Kevin Stefanski‘s first Falcons RB cadre will feature a lower-priced veteran, a strategy that may well precede a monster Bijan Robinson payday.
Becoming extension-eligible in January, Bijan Robinson is a clear candidate for a market-setting running back deal. The Falcons will need to top Saquon Barkley‘s $20.6MM AAV to lock down their dual-threat dynamo. Meanwhile, Brian Robinson will look to commandeer the Allgeier role after taking a backseat to McCaffrey during the latter’s 2025 bounce-back season. Brian Robinson took 92 handoffs last season, rushing for 400 yards with San Francisco. He will see about his own resurgent season ahead of a potential 2027 free agency payday.
Giants Add LB Cam Jones, LS Zach Triner
The Giants made a pair of signings on Tuesday, adding linebacker Cam Jones and long snapper Zach Triner, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2. Jones landed a one-year deal, while the length of Triner’s contract is unknown.
Jones piled up 209 tackles and eight sacks during his five-year run at Indiana, but he went undrafted in 2023 after suffering a foot injury in his last season with the Hoosiers. The Chiefs signed Jones, who logged 17-game seasons in his first two years in the NFL. Although Jones made little defensive impact, he was a core special teamer over that span. While Jones was part of a Super Bowl-winning squad as a rookie, a mid-January injury sidelined him for most of the Chiefs’ playoff run.
Kansas City won the AFC again in Jones’ second season, but he did not return for a third year. The Chiefs cut Jones last August, though the Jets quickly scooped him up via waivers. Out of Jones’ 174 snaps with the Jets, 170 came on special teams. Another injury – a hip issue – limited Jones to 10 games. Now switching from the Jets to the Giants, the 26-year-old will reunite with fellow linebacker and former college teammate Micah McFadden.
Triner, 35, has snapped for three teams since entering the league as an undrafted free agent from Assumption in 2015. Almost all of his work has come in Tampa Bay, where he played 81 games over five-plus seasons. Triner combined for four appearances with the Dolphins and Commanders over the past two years.
The Giants’ long snapper job opened when Casey Kreiter, who played in all of their games from 2020-25, signed with the Cardinals in free agency. Triner is now the leading candidate to take over. He could be part of a remade special teams battery in New York, which has also brought in a new kicker (Jason Sanders) and punter (Jordan Stout) this offseason.
In other Giants news, here are some details on several other contracts they have doled out this month:
- Isaiah Likely, TE (three years, $40MM): Likely’s deal comes with a max of $2.4MM in annual incentives based on catches, yards and touchdowns, Dan Duggan of The Athletic relays. The former Raven will also earn an extra $150K each year if he logs a 60% snap share and the Giants make the playoffs.
- Greg Newsome, CB (one year, $8MM): Newsome can make up to $2MM in playing time and team performance incentives, per Duggan.
- Patrick Ricard, FB (two years, $7.63MM): The 300-pounder’s pact comes with a max of $450K per year in playing time incentives, according to Duggan.
- Devin Singletary, RB (one year, $1.3MM): Singletary’s restructured contract features a max of $1MM in performance and playing time incentives (via Duggan).
- Joshua Ezeudu, OL (one year, $1.3MM): Ezeudu’s agreement includes approximately $410K in guarantees and a signing bonus worth $80K, Wilson reports.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/24/26
Today’s minor moves:
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: S Terrell Burgess
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: CB Shemar Jean-Charles
Washington Commanders
- Signed: OT Foster Sarell
Terrell Burgess is returning to New Orleans following a bounce-back showing with the Saints in 2025. After missing the entire 2024 campaign with a hamstring injury, Burgess proceeded to get into 16 games with his new squad. He compiled 22 stops and three passes defended, with 205 of his 320 snaps coming on special teams.
T Yosh Nijman Announces Retirement
In news that flew under our radar during the action-packed first week of free agency, offensive tackle Yosh Nijman announced his retirement on March 11 (via Kassidy Hill of Panthers.com).
“After seven incredible years in the NFL, I’ve decided it’s time to officially step away from the game of football,” Nijman wrote on Instagram.
A free agent when he hung up his cleats, the 30-year-old Nijman divided his career between Green Bay and Carolina. After entering the NFL undrafted in 2019, the Virginia Tech product spent most of his rookie year on the Packers’ practice squad. Nijman did not appear in any games then, but he played in at least 16 in every other season of his career.
While Nijman totaled just 14 offensive snaps over 16 games in 2020, he made eight starts the next year and a career-high 13 in 2022. The Packers kept Nijman around in 2023 after placing a second-round restricted free agent tender on him, but he went on to start in just one of 17 games that season.
Nijman left the Packers for the Panthers’ two-year, $8MM offer in March 2024. With Ikem Ekwonu and Taylor Moton locked in as the Panthers’ top tackles, Nijman filled a reserve role and made seven starts in 32 games. He suited up for 99 contests in his career and started 29.
Eagles To Sign WR Elijah Moore
The Eagles continue to add to their WR depth. After signing Marquise Brown last week, the Eagles have now agreed to a deal with Elijah Moore, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. It’s a one-year deal for the free agent wide receiver.
[RELATED: Eagles, WR Marquise Brown Agree To Deal]
After showing flashes with the Jets and Browns to begin his career, the former second-round pick inked a one-year deal worth up to $5MM with the Bills last offseason. While Moore represented an intriguing piece on a questionable Buffalo WRs depth chart, the acquisition disappointed, hauling in only nine catches for 112 yards in nine games.
Moore was sent packing in late November after the Bills added Brandin Cooks. The wideout later caught on with the Broncos practice squad. His lone appearance with Denver came in the AFC Championship Game, when he hauled in a four-yard catch.
A.J. Brown‘s status looms over the Eagles’ WR acquisitions. However, these recent signings don’t necessarily signal that Brown is destined to play elsewhere in 2026. Hollywood and now Moore are easy fill-ins for Jahan Dotson, who left for the Falcons on a two-year deal. Along with Darius Cooper, the free agent additions are likely eyeing secondary roles in the Eagles offense.
It’s also worth noting that Moore is good friends with A.J. Brown, per NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe. While their respective roster statuses aren’t dependent on each other, this could at least be seen as a good-faith move by the franchise. Moore was also drafted by former Jets GM and current Eagles exec Joe Douglas, so there was surely interest in the free agent regardless of his friendship with the star receiver.
The more significant indicator of Brown’s future with the franchise could come via the draft. We heard recently that Howie Roseman was set to target rookie WRs regardless of Brown’s status, with the front office potentially using an early-round pick at the position. In the scenario where the Eagles keep Brown and add a notable rookie WR, Moore could be fighting for a roster spot come the preseason.
Eagles To Re-Sign OL Fred Johnson
Fred Johnson is sticking in Philly. The veteran offensive lineman is re-signing with the Eagles, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. It will be a one-year deal for the 28-year-old.
A former UDFA out of Florida, Johnson has established himself as a key backup during his multi-year stint in Philly. After catching on with the Eagles practice squad in 2022, Johnson emerged as the team’s backup OT in 2023. He got into 17 games that season, although the majority of his snaps came on special teams.
Johnson saw an even larger role in 2024 while filling in for the likes of Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata, with the backup ultimately starting six of his 17 appearances. He parlayed that performance into a one-year deal with the Jaguars, although he ended up getting dealt back to Philly at the end of the 2025 preseason.
That proved to be a shrewd move for the Eagles, as Johnson proceeded to start a career-high eight games in 2025. Pro Football Focus wasn’t especially fond of his performance, ranking him 64th among 84 qualifying OTs. However, the site was generally bullish on his pass-blocking skills.
Johnson will be back for another season in Philly in 2026, where he’ll be eyeing a similar utility role. As EJ Smith of PHLY Sports notes, the free agent was hoping to garner some starting interest this offseason, but that opportunity never presented itself. Now, he’ll return as the top backup to Johnson and Mailata, although the veteran backup will hear his number called if either of the starters are forced to miss time.
Cowboys To Sign CB Derion Kendrick
After agreeing to terms with Cobie Durant, the Cowboys are set to import another recent Rams cornerback. Derion Kendrick is joining the Cowboys on a one-year deal, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero tweets.
Splitting his time between Seattle and Los Angeles in 2025, Kendrick has 18 career starts and teamed with Durant across three seasons with the Rams. Durant agreed to a one-year, $4MM Cowboys deal; having not started a game since 2023, Kendrick is likely to come in south of that figure. This duo joins a retooling Cowboys defense under new leader Christian Parker.
Technically Super Bowl ring-eligible after playing 10 Seahawks games in 2025, Kendrick landed on waivers three times last year. The Rams cut him in June (before re-signing him soon after) and then moved on again upon trimming their roster to 53 players in August, leading to a Seahawks claim. Seattle, however, moved on in November. A Rams team struggling with corner health and consistency brought Kendrick back via a claim, but with L.A. adding Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson this month, Kendrick will join Durant in relocating.
A former sixth-round pick who played at Clemson and Georgia, Kendrick is heading into an age-26 season. He used the 2025 campaign to reestablish health following a missed 2024. The 6-foot cover man suffered an ACL tear in July 2024.
Prior to that, the Rams used Kendrick as a regular starter over his first two seasons. After playing 50% of L.A.’s defensive snaps as a rookie, Kendrick logged a 76% snap share (858 plays) in 2023. The Rams demoted Kendrick late that season, however, and Pro Football Focus placed him 83rd out of 127 qualified CB options that year. Kendrick played 18% of Seattle’s defensive snaps last season (123 plays) but will be looking to secure more playing time in Dallas.
The Cowboys waived the injury-prone Trevon Diggs late last season and have DaRon Bland coming off a season-ending malady. As Bland deals with another major foot issue, the Cowboys will be hoping 2025 third-round pick Shavon Revel — who missed much of his rookie year due to ACL rehab — can play a regular role. Durant will be competing for a starting job, likely being favored to play alongside Bland and Revel, while Kendrick profiles as a depth option. The Cowboys are taking a few swings at corner, having also signed ex-Packers regular Corey Ballentine this week.
In other Cowboys contract news, safety P.J. Locke‘s deal matches Kendrick’s. It’s a one-year, $4MM pact that can max out at $5MM, ESPN.com’s Todd Archer tweets. Of that total, $3.5MM is guaranteed at signing, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson adds. Defensive end Sam Williams‘ second Dallas deal is worth $2.5MM in base value, per Wilson. Of that total, $2MM is fully guaranteed. D-lineman Otito Ogbonnia‘s one-year contract is worth $2.5MM, Archer notes. Of that amount, only $500K is guaranteed at signing.