NFL Player News

Bates signed his exclusive-rights free-agent tender with Cleveland on Monday.

Bates began last season with Houston before the Browns signed him off waivers in late October. The tight end out of Kentucky played in six contests with Cleveland, catching two of three targets for 25 yards. Bates should compete for a depth role next season, but while long-time starter David Njoku was released in March, Harold Fannin (groin) has a strong grip on the Browns' primary tight-end duties.

Cleveland signed Bryant to a contract on Monday.

Bryant appeared in 11 regular-season games with the Texans in 2025, totaling 40 tackles (22 solo in that span). He began last year on Houston's practice squad but garnered an increased workload on defense as the campaign progressed. Now with the Browns, Bryant looks set to compete for snaps at slot corner with Myles Harden.

The Giants waived Moore (upper leg) on Monday, Dan Salomone of the team's official site reports.

Moore missed the entire 2025 campaign due to an upper leg injury suffered during preseason action, but he appears back to full health and ready to search for a new team. The 25-year-old cornerback is still looking for a chance to make his regular-season debut.

The Giants waived Felton (undisclosed) on Monday, Dan Salomone of the team's official site reports.

Felton appears to have recovered from the undisclosed injury that caused him to spent the entire 2025 campaign on IR. The former Virginia Tech standout, who still is looking for a chance to make his regular-season debut, will work to catch on elsewhere in the league this offseason.

Detroit re-signed Maddox on Monday.

Maddox spent last season with the Lions, and in 2026 he figures to bolster the team's depth at safety. The veteran began the 2025 campaign in a reserve role but finished the year as a starter due to injury attrition at the position. With starting strong safety Brian Branch in recovery mode from a torn Achilles that he suffered in early December, Maddox could be a fantasy-relevant option in IDP formats to begin 2026.

The Giants signed Patrick to a one-year contract on Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Patrick is heading into his age-33 season and has significant NFL experience under his belt, having started a total of 65 career games. He'll provide New York with depth along the interior O-line.

Tampa Bay signed Skule to a contract on Monday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Skule previously played for the Buccaneers for three years from 2022-24, though he spent the 2025 campaign with the Vikings. He now returns to Tampa Bay to provide the team with added depth at offensive tackle.

Houston is hosting Emerson (Achilles) for a visit on Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Emerson missed the entire 2025 campaign in Cleveland due to an Achilles tear suffered last July, but it appears he's now ready to pass a physical and sign with a new team. The 2022 third-round pick started 27 games across his tenure with the Browns.

Lawrence has requested a trade and will not participate in the start of the Giants' voluntary offseason activities Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Lawrence broke out with a career-high 9.0 sacks in 12 regular-season appearances in 2024, but despite playing in all 17 regular-season games in 2025 he finished with just a half-sack, by far the lowest mark of his career. He remains under contract with New York for two more years, but it appears the 28-year-old defensive lineman is prioritizing a fresh start elsewhere. Per Schefter and Dianna Russini of The Athletic, it appears the three-time Pro Bowler intends to hold out from mandatory offseason activities as well if he is not traded.

Tampa Bay signed Nunez-Roches (ankle) to a one-year contract Friday, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Nunez-Roches previously played for the Buccaneers from 2018 to 2022 before signing a three-year contract with the Giants ahead of the 2023 campaign. The veteran defensive lineman ended last year on IR due to an ankle issue and played in just nine games overall -- his fewest since 2018 -- but is presumably past the injury. Nunez-Roches could compete for a starting role next season following the departure of Logan Hall and with Greg Gaines, who is a free agent, uncertain to return.