Tag: signing

Chris Jones addresses fans after extension: ‘I will be retiring a Chief’

Chris Jones took to Twitter after signing his blockbuster extension, telling fans he will “Retire a Chief”

Chris Jones earned a massive contract extension from the Kansas City Chiefs over the weekend and had plenty to say to fans on social media after the deal was officially finalized.

Never one to shy away from the camera, Jones was seen in a video on the Chiefs’ official Twitter page sharing his excitement about the extension.

Check out his message to the Kansas City’s fans shortly after putting ink to his new contract:

Jones is among the league’s most accomplished defensive linemen and has been one of Kansas City’s most impactful players during the Chiefs’ three Super Bowl runs in the Patrick Mahomes era.

One of the NFL’s preeminent sack-masters, Jones has made a name for himself as a tenacious pass-rusher with the ability to wreak havoc on opposing offensive lines with ease.

His return to Kansas City should prove to be a key factor in the Chiefs’ ability to compete for an ever-elusive Super Bowl three-peat next season.

Twitter reacts to Chiefs signing punter Matt Araiza

Users on Twitter reacted to the #Chiefs’ decision to sign punter Matt Araiza on Thursday.

The Kansas City Chiefs signed free agent punter Matt Araiza on Thursday, marking their first significant move of the offseason since winning Super Bowl LVIII.

Araiza, known to his fans as “Punt God”, was a decorated player as a collegian at San Diego State University, earning All-American honors and the Ray Guy Trophy in 2021.

Initially selected by the Buffalo Bills in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Araiza’s professional career was nearly ended by a lawsuit that was dismissed in December.

His signing may mark the end of Tommy Townsend’s tenure in Kansas City, which made some fans feel uneasy about the signing when news of his acquisition by the Chiefs broke this week.

Townsend had become a cherished member of Kansas City’s special teams unit and, with his future now unclear, users on Twitter were quick to react to Araiza’s signing.

Check out their top posts about the move below:

Chiefs sign free agent punter Matt Araiza

The #Chiefs signed punter Matt Araiza on Thursday, a move that could mark the end of Tommy Townsend’s time in Kansas City.

With the cloud of a lawsuit behind him, the Kansas City Chiefs intend to sign former 2022 sixth-round pick Matt Araiza on Thursday, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the team’s first notable move after its victory in Super Bowl LVIII.

Araiza put together an illustrious career at San Diego State that captivated audiences around the country, earning him the nickname “Punt God.”

He was an All-American in college and won the Ray Guy Award as the nation’s best collegiate punter in 2021, leading to his selection by the Buffalo Bills in the sixth round of the 2022 draft.

That summer he was released, however, after being named in a lawsuit alleging the rape of a 17-year-old girl. Araiza was dropped from the lawsuit in December 2023 in exchange for him dropping a defamation lawsuit against her.

All-Pro punter Tommy Townsend isn’t under contract with the Chiefs for the 2024 season, and Araiza’s addition could be an indication that they are moving on.

While it remains to be seen whether Araiza’s golden leg will be as effective as it was in college, his signing on Thursday is a good sign that Kansas City’s coaching staff is comfortable with his ability to at least compete for a starting spot if Townsend re-signs.

Chiefs sign DL Mike Pennel to practice squad

The #Chiefs signed veteran defensive lineman Mike Pennel to their practice squad on Tuesday.

The Kansas City Chiefs bolstered depth along their defensive line on Tuesday by signing veteran Mike Pennel to their practice squad. Pennel, who previously played for Kansas City on their Super Bowl LIV championship team, most recently played for the Chicago Bears, but was a free agent entering the 2023 regular season.

News of Pennel’s signing with the Chiefs broke on Twitter when Charles Goldman of AtoZ Sports reported the initial transaction and corresponding roster move on Tuesday afternoon.

Rookie wide receiver Daniel Arias was released to make room for the veteran lineman and may find his way onto another team’s practice squad later in the season.

Pennel’s addition isn’t expected to have an immediate impact on Kansas City’s plans on gameday, though the depth he provides the Chiefs could be a major factor later in the season if injuries on the team’s defensive front become an issue.

For now, Pennel will have to wait for his chance to contribute on Sundays, but his championship pedigree is a clear asset.

Raiders sign former Chiefs starter, Super Bowl champion Darius Harris

The #Chiefs saw one of their 2022 starters sign with an AFC West rival when LB Darius Harris agreed to terms with the #Raiders on Monday.

The Kansas City Chiefs saw one of their top starters in last year’s Super Bowl LVII championship campaign sign with an AFC West rival on Monday when linebacker Darius Harris agreed to terms on a contract with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Harris, a former Middle Tennessee State Blue Raider, is expected to be an early contributor in Las Vegas’ defense as the storied franchise looks to rebuild after the departure of quarterback Derek Carr in the offseason.

Details of Harris’ new deal are not yet known, but the contract isn’t expected to break the bank for the Raiders, who only have about $5 million in cap space according to overthecap.com.

The fourth-year linebacker made four starts for Kansas City last season, recording 43 combined tackles and tallying one and a half sacks in the Chiefs’ march to the playoffs. He wasn’t so productive in the postseason, though, only racking up four solo tackles in Kansas City’s three-game playoff effort.

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Report: Patriots ‘optimistic’ on chances of signing DeAndre Hopkins

There’s reportedly real optimism that the Patriots and DeAndre Hopkins will agree on a deal.

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Confidence appears to be growing that the New England Patriots will ultimately land the big prize in signing All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to a deal.

The Athletic’s Jeff Howe reported on Wednesday through a source that the Patriots are “optimistic” on their chances of agreeing to a deal with Hopkins, who is going on visits with teams.

After visiting with the Tennessee Titans earlier in the week, the 31-year-old veteran is expected to spend Wednesday and Thursday in New England.

Howe wrote:

The free agent is planning to visit Gillette Stadium on Thursday, and there’s optimism the two sides can find a way to reach an agreement, according to a person with knowledge of the matter.

The Patriots have the cap space to sign Hopkins to a deal, and they have a real need when it comes to adding an elite talent on the outside at receiver. It would make sense for them to go all out in a pitch effort to ensure he doesn’t leave New England without a contract.

But as Howe explains, there are still hurdles as well.

The two sides need to make sure they’re the right fit for one other, and there’s still a question surrounding the actual price it would take to land Hopkins. Could he price himself out for a Patriots team that isn’t known for splurging financially at the receiver position?

We might be days or mere hours from receiving the answers to those questions.

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Derek Carr had the best reaction to Foster Moreau signing with the Saints

Derek Carr had the best reaction to his former Raiders teammate Foster Moreau signing with the Saints:

You’d be hard-pressed to find someone happier for Foster Moreau signing with the New Orleans Saints than his Derek Carr, who he’ steaming up with again after they connected on a lot of passes together with the Las Vegas Raiders. Carr shared his congratulations when the news broke on social media, but he also commented on his team’s addition when he found out in person.

“I need to go give that guy a hug,” Carr told The Advocate/Times-Picayune’s Zach Ewing.

It’s been a rollercoaster of emotions for Moreau over the last two months. He entered free agency as one of the top options at his position, just 25 years old and coming off a career year. Then he learned he had Hodgkin’s lymphoma during a routine physical with his hometown team in New Orleans. He’s since undergone cancer treatment and begun the process to recovery, and circled back to sign with the Saints.

Now he’s playing pro football in the same city he grew up in, not far from the powerhouse high school he starred at to catch notice of recruiters with the LSU Tigers. There’s a lot of locals in his corner, but it’s great to see his quarterback is in his corner, too.

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Buccaneers sign former Chargers OL Matt Feiler

Matt Feiler has found a new home with the Buccaneers.

The Chargers saw another player find a new team in free agency on Thursday when offensive lineman Matt Feiler agreed to terms on a new contract with the Buccaneers.

Feiler was cut by Los Angeles earlier in the offseason due to salary cap constraints, which allowed them to save a significant amount of money by parting ways.

Signed two offseasons ago, Feiler was solid in his first season as a Charger. However, he took a step back this past season. Feiler allowed six sacks, 40 quarterback pressures and 31 hurries.

 

Though he may not be a household name at this point in his career, Feiler has proven that he has all the tools necessary to be a consistent presence on any offensive line. The Buccaneers will benefit from his ability to mentor younger linemen next season.

Vikings officially sign DE Marcus Davenport

Marcus Davenport officially signed his $13 million dollar contract with the #Vikings on Friday

The Minnesota Vikings officially signed defensive end Marcus Davenport to his one-year $13 million contract on Friday. The signing came just hours after the team agreed to terms with veteran lineman Dean Lowry, formerly of the Green Bay Packers.

A former first-round pick by the New Orleans Saints in 2018, Davenport is a dynamic pass rusher who can give headaches to the best tackles that the NFL has to offer with his strength and quickness off the edge. His unique skillset should be a boon for the Vikings’ defense, which needed a shot in the arm after failing to live up to expectations in 2022.

While one signing certainly won’t solve all of Minnesota’s issues on defense, Davenport’s presence is sure to be a positive influence on the unit’s play next season and could prove to be consequential to their viability as a legitimate playoff contender. The team has invested heavily in their defense in the first week of free agency and stands to benefit greatly from every addition they’ve made on that side of the ball.

Vikings agree to terms with former Packers DE Dean Lowry

The #Vikings came to terms with former #Packers defensive end Dean Lowry on Friday in a move that will bolster their defensive line in 2023

The Minnesota Vikings agreed to terms with former Green Bay Packers defensive end Dean Lowry on Friday, paving the way for the veteran lineman to bolster the team’s pass rush in 2023.

Lowry was originally selected by the Packers in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL draft and had played his entire career in Green Bay before signing with Minnesota. He played his college ball at Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois where he majored in Economics.

A proven veteran, Lowry started 80 games in seven seasons with the Packers during a tenure that saw him secure 15.5 sacks, 34 quarterback hits, and an interception.
Whether he will start for the Vikings in 2023 is unknown at this time, though his $8.5 million contract will incentivize the team to get him on the field consistently, even if only in a rotational role. What is certain, though, is that this deal points to a concerted effort by Minnesota to improve their defense ahead of next season when they will look to push for serious playoff contention after the disappointing end to their latest campaign