Trending
The Associated Press
PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers released safety Keanu Neal on Thursday after he failed a physical with the team.
Neal played in nine games for the Steelers in 2023, eight of them starts. He suffered a rib injury in a win over Green Bay on Nov. 12 when he was hit at the end of a 32-yard interception return in the fourth quarter.
The team placed Neal on injured reserve on Nov. 18.
The 28-year-old Neal signed a two-year, $4.25 million deal with the Steelers last March. He had 50 tackles, a fumble recovery and an interception with Pittsburgh. Neal's departure leaves perennial Pro Bowler Minkah Fitzpatrick and veteran Damontae Kazee as the two most experienced safeties left on the roster with free agency set to start next week.
Broncos
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- The Denver Broncos are releasing safety Justin Simmons in a cost-saving move. It's the first domino to fall in the Russell Wilson fallout.
The Broncos announced earlier this week they're releasing their quarterback next week. That move leaves them with a record $85 million in dead cap charges that necessitates more painful cuts to their roster.
Simmons leads the league with 30 interceptions in his eight seasons in Denver and has been a second-team All-Pro four of the last five years.
Bills
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky is returning to Buffalo to reprise his role as Josh Allen's backup after signing a two-year contract with the Bills.
The player selected No. 2 overall in the 2017 draft rejoins the Bills after failing to re-establish himself as a starter during two rocky seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Trubisky was cut by Pittsburgh last month after going 2-5 in 12 overall appearances.
The Bills continue to believe in Trubisky, who spent the 2021 season in Buffalo and at 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds has the size and mobility to oversee a similar offensive scheme as Allen.
Dolphins
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- A person with knowledge of the deal says the Miami Dolphins and tight end Jonnu Smith agreed to terms Thursday on a two-year contract, giving the Dolphins a pass-catching option that they lacked at tight end last season.
The person spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been announced. Smith, 28, visited the Dolphins on Tuesday, a week after the Atlanta Falcons released him in a cost-cutting move. He set career highs with 50 receptions for 582 yards for Atlanta in 2023. He also had three touchdown catches.
Chiefs
A person familiar with the agreement tells The Associated Press the Kansas City Chiefs are bringing back linebacker Drue Tranquill on a three-year, $19 million contract.
The person requested anonymity because the team had not announced the deal on Thursday night. Tranquill will turn 29 in August.
He signed with the Chiefs relatively late last offseason after spending the previous four years with the AFC West-rival Los Angeles Chargers.
Tranquill emerged as an important contributor for the league's second-ranked defense, making 4.5 sacks while helping the Chiefs win their second straight Super Bowl.
Bears
CHICAGO -- The Chicago Bears and Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson have agreed to a four-year, $76 million contract that guarantees him $54.4 million.
Two people familiar with the situation confirmed the financial terms of the deal, which was first reported by the NFL Network.
The people spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the terms were not announced. The move comes two days after the Bears placed the franchise tag on Johnson.
He would have been due $19.8 million in 2024 had he not agreed to the extension prior to the July 15 deadline. He had said he wanted to remain with the Bears. Johnson had four interceptions and returned one for a touchdown last season.
Saints
NEW ORLEANS -- New Orleans Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu has agreed to a new two-year, contract that runs through the 2025 season.
The 31-year-old Mathieu previously was under contract through 2024. His reworked deal, reportedly worth about $13 million, gives him one additional year in a trade-off that lowers his annual salary burden on the team.
Mathieu says he has been pleased with his improvement within the Saints defensive scheme.
The former LSU standout says he also loves being in his native New Orleans where many of his community service initiatives are based. Mathieu has started 34 games for the Saints during the past two seasons and has seven interceptions.