Denver Broncos sign former Colts QB Sam Ehlinger as their third quarterback The Associated Press DENVER
DENVER (AP) — The Denver Broncos added former University of Texas and Indianapolis Colts quarterback Sam Ehlinger to their QB room Wednesday.
Ehlinger replaces Zach Wilson, who signed with Miami earlier in free agency, as the third quarterback behind second-year starter Bo Nix and seventh-year backup Jarrett Stidham.
Ehlinger has played in eight NFL games and started three, all with the Colts, who drafted him in the sixth round in 2021. In his pro career, he has completed 64 of 101 passes for 573 yards and three touchdowns with three interceptions.
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Bills CB Benford draws on childhood memories to fulfill dreams of NFL career and as a budding author By JOHN WAWROW AP Sports Writer The Associated Press ORCHARD PARK, N.Y.
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Amid the violence and overdoses Christian Benford encountered, and countless funerals he attended growing up near one of Baltimore’s toughest neighborhoods, the Buffalo Bills cornerback preferred focusing on two fond childhood memories upon signing what he called a life-changing contract.
The recollections involved dandelions and a Power Rangers watch.
Both sprung to mind Wednesday at a time the 24-year-old further cemented one lifelong dream of an NFL career — Benford’s four-year, $69 million contract extension secures his future in Buffalo through 2029. And he's eagerly looking ahead to achieving another with the upcoming release of a children’s book he wrote.
“What’s them little flowers you pick up and make a wish and blow on it?” Benford said, searching for the word dandelion. “Yeah. Like my sisters would say, ’Make a wish.' And I always wished to make it to the NFL and change my family.”
In three seasons, Benford has made the jump from relative obscurity as a sixth-round draft pick out of Villanova to establishing himself as Buffalo’s long-term starter. And he’s using his higher-profile platform with a 26-page book “Stylish Safari: The Adventures of Being You” due out this month.
The story revolves around the main character, Benny the Bobcat, overcoming being teased for how he’s dressed. Benny, of course, is short for Benford, with the player drawing inspiration from the day he confronted a bully teasing him over his Power Rangers watch.
“I always believed, be you. It’s OK to be different,” Benford said. “So after that happened, I felt good, like, I’m still rocking my Power Rangers watch. Can’t nobody tell me nothing.”
Benny’s tale is far more watered down than what Benford said he encountered as a child, with the bobcat completing a birthday challenge to deliver what Mynd Matters Publishing describes as “an inspiring message about self-expression and kindness.”
And yet, the “be true to yourself” message is ideally the same, and one Benford shares with his son.
“God made you the way you are for a reason. He gave you the name that you got for a reason. He gave you your attributes,” he said. “Be different and stand 10 toes about it. So that’s why I wanted to write that book.”
For a player who spent his first three seasons expressing hardly a peep to reporters, Benford has found his voice. And it comes as a result of validating his self-confidence and his determination to get out of Baltimore, and instilled by his beloved late mother, Christel, and father Jewell.
Through various challenges and setbacks, Benford refused to let up.
He shakes his head at the memory of growing up with his siblings and cousins and scrounging through couch cushions to gather enough change to buy a bag of chips to share for dinner.
There’s the tattoo of a half-empty heart on his right cheek in honor of his mother, who died four years ago, someone who relentlessly pushed Benford to pursue an education through football for a better future.
In Buffalo, Benford established his quiet, determined presence during his 2022 rookie year with five starts in nine games before landing on injured reserve. A year later, Benford won the starting job coming out of training camp ahead of 2022 first-round pick Kaiir Elam, who was traded to Houston last month .
Benford has five interceptions and 25 passes defended while starting 34 of 39 games. And the Bills placed such faith in a player to sign him to the extension with a year still left on his rookie contract.
“I’d probably tell younger me, all those tears at night, it’s going to pay off. All that heavy thought, all that worrying for the family, trying to handle everything,” he said, reflecting back.
“And everybody that didn’t believe in you, all the people that backdoored you, it’s all right, bro. ... just keep your head high. Smile,” Benford said. “And I’d probably give myself a hug.”
Dandelion wishes do come true. And no one is teasing Christian Benford now.
The book became a family affair, with his sister Jewel providing artwork and input — she came up with the name Benny. Benford also credited his father, an avid reader, for inspiring his desire to write.
“He’s got mad books, like he’ll forget the books he’s got,” Benford said, realizing his book will now adorn one of his father’s shelves. “It means a lot. I hope he’s proud.”
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Patriots trade QB Milton to Cowboys, giving Dallas a new backup behind Dak Prescott The Associated Press DALLAS
DALLAS (AP) — The New England Patriots have agreed to trade quarterback Joe Milton III to the Dallas Cowboys.
Milton confirmed the trade via a social media post on Wednesday.
ESPN, which first reported the deal, said that the Cowboys will receive Milton, along with a seventh-round pick in exchange for a fifth-round pick.
The acquisition of the 25-year-old Milton, who the Patriots drafted in the sixth round in 2024, gives the Cowboys a young backup behind starting quarterback Dak Prescott after Cooper Rush signed with Baltimore in free agency. Rush started eight games for the Cowboys last season while Prescott was injured.
Milton spent his rookie season on New England's practice squad, playing behind rookie Drake Maye and backup Jacoby Brissett before playing the majority of the Patriots' season finale win over Buffalo. Milton was impressive in his lone action of the season, rushing for a touchdown and throwing for another.
His status on the Patriots' roster going forward became less certain after New England signed quarterback Josh Dobbs to a two-year free agent deal last month.
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Tight end Trey McBride agrees to 4-year deal with Cardinals, keeping him with team through 2029 By DAVID BRANDT AP Sports Writer The Associated Press
Star tight end Trey McBride has agreed to a four-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals as the franchise locks up one of the NFL's best young players through the 2029 season.
The Cardinals confirmed the signing Thursday. Multiple reports said the deal is worth $76 million over the four seasons, including $43 million guaranteed, which would make him the league's highest-paid tight end.
The 25-year-old was a second-round pick out of Colorado State and he's improved dramatically each season. He was selected to his first Pro Bowl in 2024 after catching 111 passes for 1,146 yards, finishing second in the league for a tight end in both categories.
McBride's 221 career catches are the most for a tight end in his first three seasons in league history, surpassing George Kittle's mark of 216 from 2017 to 2019.
The Cardinals hope McBride and second-year receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. can be a formidable pass-catching duo for quarterback Kyler Murray, who took to social media Thursday to praise the deal.
“Maaaaan! So happy for my dawg, worth every penny!” Murray said on X . “More work to be done but a great day.”
McBride's new deal is part of a busy offseason for the Cardinals, who finished 8-9 in 2024, missing the playoffs for a third straight season. They've beefed up several spots on the roster, particularly their defensive front, adding Dalvin Tomlinson, Josh Sweat and Calais Campbell.
McBride is also well-liked off the field and was named the Cardinals' nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year in 2024.
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Bears and veteran QB Case Keenum agree to 1-year, $3 million deal, AP source says By ANDREW SELIGMAN AP Sports Writer The Associated Press
The Chicago Bears added a veteran quarterback to help Caleb Williams, agreeing to a one-year, $3 million contract with journeyman Case Keenum, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Thursday night.
The person spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity because the deal had not been announced. ESPN first reported the agreement.
The Bears also signed veteran receiver Miles Boykin and cornerback Shaun Wade to one-year contracts on Thursday.
The 37-year-old Keenum spent the past two years in Houston with another prized quarterback in C.J. Stroud. He was also behind Baker Mayfield in Cleveland and Josh Allen in Buffalo before that.
Keenum has thrown for 15,175 yards over 12 years with Houston, the St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota, Denver, Washington, Cleveland and Buffalo. He has 79 touchdown passes and 51 interceptions.
Keenum could push Tyson Bagent for the backup job. The Bears did not have an experienced quarterback last season to help Williams, the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2024. Their third QB was Austin Reed, an undrafted rookie who spent the season on the practice squad.
Boykin, a third-round draft pick by Baltimore in 2019, has played in 73 games and started 25 for the Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers. He has 38 receptions for 498 yards and seven touchdowns.
Boykin spent parts of last season on the practice squads of the New York Giants and Seattle Seahawks. He grew up about 30 miles south of Soldier Field in Tinley Park, Ill., and played at Notre Dame.
Wade played in 20 games with New England from 2021 to 2023. The former Ohio State star spent last season on the Los Angeles Chargers' practice squad. ___
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Geno Smith reportedly agrees to 2-year, $75 million extension with the Raiders By MARK ANDERSON AP Sports Writer The Associated Press HENDERSON, Nev.
HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — Quarterback Geno Smith, who was traded to Las Vegas nearly a month ago, agreed to two-year, $75 million extension with the Raiders, ESPN reported Thursday.
Smith's new deal takes him through the 2027 season and includes $66.5 million guaranteed, according to ESPN.
The Raiders acquired Smith for a third-round draft pick from the Seattle Seahawks on March 7, but didn't immediately come to terms on an extension. Smith had one year left on his contract, but general manager John Spytek said at this week's NFL meetings in Palm Beach, Florida, that he expected an agreement would be reached.
“We're looking forward to having him not just for this year, but for the years to come,” Spytek said Tuesday. “When we get everything where it needs to be (with his contract), he'll be around. I'm confident it will happen fairly soon.”
Smith threw for 4,320 yards and 21 touchdowns with 15 interceptions last season in Seattle.
The 34-year-old, two-time Pro Bowler reunites with first-year Raiders coach Pete Carroll.
Carroll hopes to find the kind of success he experienced when he resurrected Smith’s career by giving him a home in Seattle in 2019. Smith had lost his starting job with the New York Jets and spent one season each with the New York Giants and Los Angeles Chargers.
Carroll turned to Smith in 2022, and the QB led the league by completing 69.8% of his passes while throwing for 4,282 yards and 30 touchdowns with 11 interceptions. He was named the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year.
The Seahawks had winning records in all three seasons with Smith behind center.
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Falcons coach Raheem Morris doesn't rule out trading Kirk Cousins but intends to keep him as backup By ROB MAADDI AP Pro Football Writer The Associated Press PALM BEACH, Fla.
PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Kirk Cousins has told the Atlanta Falcons he wants to be a starter and coach Raheem Morris didn’t rule out a trade while reiterating the team intends to keep him as the backup to Michael Penix Jr.
“We still feel very strongly about Kirk being our backup quarterback,” Morris said Tuesday at the NFL meetings. “We still feel very strongly about the human. Obviously, it’s a business. ... We won’t hold him back if opportunity presents itself. He’s made it clear he’d like to be a starter.”
Cousins, who signed a four-year, $180 million contract last March that included $100 million guaranteed, lost his job after struggling in his return from a torn Achilles tendon.
Penix started the final three games, going 1-2, and Atlanta finished 8-9 following a 6-3 start.
The 36-year-old Cousins completed 66.9% of his passes for 3,508 yards and 18 touchdowns with a career-high 16 interceptions. The final $10 million of his $100 million guaranteed money was paid last month because he was still on the roster on March 17.
Cousins has a no-trade clause in his contract but his desire to start means he’s willing to waive it.
The Cleveland Browns still need a starting QB and Cousins is familiar with Kevin Stefanski, who was an assistant in Minnesota before becoming a head coach.
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Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston give the Giants options but the team is still evaluating QBs By ROB MAADDI AP Pro Football Writer The Associated Press PALM BEACH, Fla.
PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Signing Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston solved the New York Giants’ immediate need for a starting quarterback.
They could still draft one for the future.
“The face of a franchise is a quarterback,” Giants coach Brian Daboll said Tuesday at the NFL meetings. “It’s not an easy position to evaluate. It’s not an easy position to coach. It’s not an easy position to play. You do the best job you can to try to find the right one for your team.”
With the No. 3 pick in the draft, the Giants may have an opportunity to select Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders. Miami’s Cam Ward is expected to go first to Tennessee or another team that trades for the pick. Cleveland has the second pick and also needs a quarterback.
Wilson and Winston give the Giants options. They could select the best player available, whether it’s Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter or edge rusher Abdul Carter. Perhaps Mississippi quarterback Jaxson Dart is available in the second round.
“We’re going to go through the evaluation of all the guys that have been on my list to look at and talk to,” Daboll said. “Everything has to fall in line relative to draft picks. You don’t know where they’re going to get taken. It’s how you feel about the player and does that player match where you want to take him.”
Daboll mentioned Michael Penix Jr. going to the Falcons at No. 8 last year. Atlanta had just signed Kirk Cousins to a contract that included $100 million yet still selected a quarterback for the future. Penix ended up replacing Cousins before the end of the season.
As for Hunter, Colorado’s dynamic two-way player, Daboll wouldn’t commit to playing him at cornerback or wide receiver or both if the Giants draft him.
“I think he’s a good player both ways,” Daboll said. “It’s really remarkable what he has done and the ability to perform at that level not getting a rest. He’s been a fun player to meet and evaluate.”
The Giants went 3-14 in 2024 and released 2019 first-round pick Daniel Jones during the season. Before signing Winston and Wilson, Tommy DeVito was the only quarterback on the team’s roster. New York has missed the playoffs in 11 of the last 13 seasons since Eli Manning won his second Super Bowl following the 2011 season.
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Super Bowl champ Richard Sherman joins long list of sports figures whose homes have been burglarized The Associated Press MAPLE VALLEY, Calif.
MAPLE VALLEY, Calif. (AP) — Former NFL player Richard Sherman is the latest sports figure whose home has been burglarized .
The Super Bowl champion posted pictures and a video on social media asking if anyone recognized three armed intruders that broke into his house last weekend.
Sherman, an Amazon Prime Video analyst, was a three-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowl defensive back from 2011 to 2021 with Seattle, San Francisco and Tampa Bay. He helped the Seahawks win the Super Bowl in 2014.
“House being robbed at gun point with my family in it isn’t what anyone wants for a birthday gift,” said Sherman, who turned 37 on Sunday. “Scary situation that my wife handled masterfully and kept my kids safe. If anyone has any info that can help find these people please reach out.”
The King County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday that no arrests had been made.
The FBI has warned leagues about crime organizations targeting professional athletes following a string of burglaries at the homes of prominent players. Leagues have issued security alerts to their players after the break-ins, some of which have come when players were away with their teams for road games.
Victims of home invasions include quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes of Kansas City and Joe Burrow of Cincinnati, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, NBA players Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers, Bobby Portis of Milwaukee, Mike Conley Jr. of Minnesota and Pittsburgh Penguins star Evgeni Malkin.
In February, seven men from Chile were charged in Florida federal court with orchestrating burglaries at the homes of prominent professional athletes around the country.
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Steelers owner Art Rooney II sees 'positive signs' that Aaron Rodgers will join the team By ROB MAADDI AP Pro Football Writer The Associated Press PALM BEACH, Fla.
PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Steelers owner Art Rooney II says there are “positive signs” that Aaron Rodgers will play in Pittsburgh.
The four-time NFL MVP worked out recently with new Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf after previously visiting the team.
“We keep hearing that he’s heading in our direction so that seems to be all signs are positive so far,” Rooney told reporters at the NFL meetings on Tuesday.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Monday that he’s staying in touch with Rodgers and is comfortable with Mason Rudolph as the starting quarterback.
“That’s why we brought him back,” Tomlin said. “I’m comfortable with that. And we’ve been there before.”
The Steelers allowed Russell Wilson (Giants) and Justin Fields (Jets) to leave in free agency and brought back Rudolph. Pittsburgh hasn’t won a playoff game since reaching the AFC title game following the 2016 season.
The Steelers hold the 21st overall pick in the draft. Mississippi quarterback Jaxson Dart is a possibility whether the 41-year-old Rodgers signs with the team or not.
Rodgers is a free agent for the first time in his 20-year career. He could be contemplating retirement, signing with the Steelers or waiting for the Minnesota Vikings to express interest. The Vikings seem to ready to go with J.J. McCarthy.
“Didn’t envision it taking this long,” Rooney said about waiting on Rodgers.
He added they’ll wait a little longer, but “not forever.”
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