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AP: TE Olsen, Seahawks agree to one-year deal

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A person familiar with the situation says three-time Pro Bowl tight end Greg Olsen has agreed to a one-year, $7 million contract with the Seattle Seahawks.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the deal has not been announced by the team.

Olsen was released by the Panthers earlier this month after nine seasons with the team amid a rebuilding process under first-year coach Matt Rhule. Olsen has caught 718 passes for 8,444 yards and 59 touchdowns during his 13-year NFL career. He spent his first four seasons with the Chicago Bears.

Olsen had 52 catches for 697 yards and two touchdowns last season for the Panthers.

The 34-year-old Olsen chose the Seahawks after visiting with the Buffalo Bills and former coach Ron Rivera, now with the Washington Redskins. Olsen has also been weighing a future in television broadcasting.

A two-time finalist for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, Olsen was one of the most popular players on the Panthers for the better part of the last decade. Olsen made it clear late last season he wasn’t willing to stick around for a rebuild because he wanted to win a Super Bowl.

The Seahawks finished 11-5 last season.

ESPN was first to report the news.

Steelers hire Hilliard

PITTSBURGH — Ike Hilliard is the new wide receivers coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The club announced the move on Tuesday. Hilliard replaces Darryl Drake, who passed away last August during the early days of training camp. Ray Sherman filled the role on an interim basis last season.

Hilliard caught 546 passes during a 12-year NFL career split between Tampa Bay and the New York Giants. He spent the last six seasons as the wide receivers coach for the Washington Redskins. Hilliard previously worked as an assistant with the Miami Dolphins and the Buffalo Bills.

He takes over a young group that includes JuJu Smith-Schuster, James Washington and Diontae Johnson. The Steelers finished 8-8 last season and played most of the year without quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who went down in Week 2 with a right elbow injury.

Hilliard, 43, is the second assistant brought on by the Steelers during the offseason. Matt Canada joined the staff as quarterbacks coach last month.

Brees to return for 2020

NEW ORLEANS — Quarterback Drew Brees’ record-setting NFL career is on track for a 20th season — and a 15th with the New Orleans Saints.

The 41-year-old Brees announced his intention to return for what would be his 20th NFL season in a social media post on Tuesday.

“My feelings about the 2020 season! I look forward to the grind and the journey, for the reward at the end will be worth it,” Brees wrote in his announcement. “Love you #WhoDatNation. Let’s make another run at it!”

Brees missed five games with a throwing hand injury that required surgery but was still productive last season while leading New Orleans to a third straight playoff appearance. Brees’ 74.3% completion rate ranked second in NFL history behind only his 2018 record of 74.4%.

He also passed for 27 touchdowns while throwing just four interceptions and was selected to a fourth straight Pro Bowl, the 13th of his career.

His decision to return will set in motion negotiations on a new contract. His last contract voids automatically at the end of the current league year that concludes March 18.

A person familiar with the situation says new contract negotiations have yet to begin and there is no immediate timetable for reaching a deal. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither Brees nor the Saints have publicly discussed the matter.

Cards re-sign Humphries

Arizona’s offense showed plenty of potential during quarterback Kyler Murray’s rookie season.

Now the Cardinals have made sure to keep the talented big man at left tackle who protects him.

The Cardinals announced on Tuesday that they’ve re-signed D.J. Humphries to a three-year contract that keeps him with the team through 2022. The 26-year-old started all 16 games at left tackle last season, anchoring an offensive line that exceeded expectations under first-year coach Kliff Kingsbury.

Humphries said on Tuesday he’s “a loyal dude” and always believed a deal would get done.

“I knew I wasn’t leaving Arizona,” Humphries said. “That was never a question. You know I’ve got to play a little hardball, play a little tough, act like you’ve got big britches, but I knew I wasn’t leaving Arizona. This place has embraced me in every way, even when I shouldn’t have been embraced. So for me, it’s an honor to be here and be able to stay here.”

The team did not disclose contract terms. NFL Network reported that the deal is worth $45 million, including $29 million guaranteed.

The 6-foot-5, 307-pound Humphries has started 43 games for the Cardinals since being selected in the first round of the 2015 draft out of Florida. He missed big chunks of the 2017 and 2018 seasons because of injuries, but bounced back with his best season and played all 16 games for the first time.

Trump pardons DeBartolo Jr.

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Tuesday pardoned Edward DeBartolo Jr., the former San Francisco 49ers owner convicted in a gambling fraud scandal who built one of the most successful NFL teams in the game’s history.

DeBartolo, who owned the San Francisco 49ers during their 1980s-1990s dynasty, was involved in one of the biggest owners’ scandals in the sport’s history. In 1998, he pleaded guilty to failing to report a felony when he paid $400,000 to former Louisiana Gov. Edwin Edwards in exchange for a riverboat gambling license.

The White House announced the surprise decision to reporters on Tuesday, with NFL greats Jerry Rice, Jim Brown, Ronnie Lott and Charles Haley in attendance.

DeBartolo, whose San Francisco 49ers won five Super Bowls under his leadership, stepped down as owner in 1997 after two Louisiana newspapers reported he would be indicted for gambling fraud.

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