NFL OFF-SEASON NEWS

DOLPHINS RELEASING QB TUA TAGOVAILOA, RESULTING IN A $99 MILLION DEAD CAP HIT. MALIK WILLIS TO SIGN

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Tua Tagovailoa is out. Malik Willis is in. Just like that, the Miami Dolphins are starting anew at quarterback.

Tagovailoa — the team’s primary starter for the last 5 1/2 seasons — will be released, the Dolphins said Monday, a move that will result in an NFL-record $99 million dead cap hit.

In his place: Willis, according to a person familiar with the negotiations who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because no deal has been completed. Willis has dazzling numbers, albeit in a very small sample size.

“I recently informed Tua and his representation that we are going to move in a new direction at the quarterback position and will be releasing him after the start of the new league year,” Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan said in remarks released through the team.

Willis will be reuniting with Sullivan and new Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley. The trio were all together in Green Bay, a team with whom Willis — widely considered among the top quarterbacks in this free agent class — completed 70 of 89 passes in three games over the last two seasons, throwing for 972 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions.

The league year starts Wednesday afternoon. If the Tagovailoa move is designated as a post-June 1 release, the $99 million is split over two years, with about two-thirds on this year’s cap and the remaining third in 2027.

Tagovailoa went 44-32 as Miami’s starter, dealt with concussions on multiple occasions and at times was a lightning rod for critics. Over the last five seasons — not counting his first year when he wasn’t the full-time starter yet — Tagovailoa completed 68.6% of his passes, second only to Joe Burrow over that span, while ranking 11th leaguewide in passing yards and passing touchdowns.

At times, it was good. In the end, it just wasn’t always good enough. Tagovailoa reacted to Monday’s announcement on social media, thanking the Dolphins “for six unbelievable years.”

“From the moment I arrived, you believed in me, supported me, and embraced my family as your own,” Tagovailoa wrote. “I was able to marry my wife and welcome both my kids to this world. … Wearing this jersey and representing this city has been one of the greatest joys of my life.”

He also expressed disappointment that he couldn’t deliver that long-awaited playoff breakthrough for the team and its fans.

“I also carry deep regret that I couldn’t get the job done and bring a championship home to this city,” Tagovailoa said. “Miami deserves that, and I’ll always wish I could have delivered it for you.”

It’s the latest, and certainly one of the most significant, moves in this offseason of rebuilding and change for the Dolphins. Big names like receiver Tyreek Hill and pass rusher Bradley Chubb aren’t being brought back. Another move came Monday when the Dolphins agreed to trade safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to the New York Jets for a seventh-round pick, according to a person familiar with the negotiations.

The biggest question left was the one at quarterback, and if Tagovailoa would get another shot.

It was finally answered Monday.

A trade or release had been somewhat expected after Tagovailoa, drafted fifth overall in 2020, was benched by former Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel toward the end of last season because of poor play. Tagovailoa at the time said he wasn’t happy with the decision and wasn’t sure what his future with the team would look like.

Tagovailoa was demoted for rookie Quinn Ewers with three games remaining last season, a clear signal that his six-year run with the Dolphins might be coming to an end. Tagovailoa, who turned 28 earlier this month, led the league in passing yards in 2023 with a career-best 29 passing touchdowns, but he never quite replicated that form.

He threw a career-high 15 interceptions last season.

“I would say the biggest thing, and it’s being honest with myself as well, had been my performance,” Tagovailoa said after being benched. “I haven’t been performing up to the level and the capabilities that I have in the past.”

The dead cap hit tops the previous record of $85 million that the Denver Broncos took for releasing Russell Wilson in 2024.

Willis figures to become the franchise’s 28th different starter since Dan Marino’s final season in 1999. Tagovailoa made 76 starts with Miami, second-most in that span behind Ryan Tannehill’s 88.

Tagovailoa was drafted by the Dolphins to be their franchise quarterback after winning a national championship during a successful college career at Alabama.

But the quarterback struggled on the field his first two seasons under former Miami coach Brian Flores and was benched several times as a rookie, resulting in a constant cycle of rumors on whether the Dolphins — who have the NFL’s longest playoff win drought, at a quarter-century and counting — would stick with Tagovailoa.

The Dolphins fired Flores and replaced him with McDaniel for the 2022 season, and McDaniel developed and outwardly supported Tagovailoa during the coach’s four years in Miami.

But with McDaniel gone, and a new regime in, the time was evidently right for Miami to start over at quarterback yet again.

And the Willis era will soon be underway.

“As I prepare for the next chapter, I move forward with gratitude, faith, and memories I’ll cherish for a lifetime,” Tagovailoa wrote. “South Florida will always hold a special place in my heart.”

CHIEFS LAND SUPER BOWL MVP KENNETH WALKER ON A 3-YEAR DEAL WORTH UP TO $45M, AP SOURCE SAYS

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs and Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker have agreed to a three-year deal worth up to $45 million to bring the former Seattle running back to Kansas City, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Monday.

The deal includes $28.7 million guaranteed and $43.05 million in base value, said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because contracts cannot become official until the new league year begins Wednesday.

Walker fills perhaps the biggest need for the Chiefs as they try to bounce back from a disastrous 6-11 season. Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco, their top two running backs, are both free agents, leaving only second-year pro Brashard Smith under contract.

The deal came as the Chiefs were nearing an agreement to bring back four-time All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce for his 14th season, a person familiar with those negotiations told AP. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because that contract was not yet final.

Walker, a second-round pick in the 2022 draft, ran for 3,555 yards and 29 touchdowns over four seasons with the Seahawks. He had 1,027 yards and five scores last season, and he was even better in the playoffs, running for 116 yards and three TDs against the 49ers, another touchdown against the Rams, and 135 yards in a 29-13 win over the Patriots in the Super Bowl.

He is the fourth Super Bowl MVP to change teams the following season: Larry Brown went from the Cowboys to the Raiders, Desmond Howard from the Packers to the Raiders, and Dexter Jackson from the Buccaneers to the Cardinals.

The Chiefs have long survived at running back behind a patchwork of late-round draft picks and bargain free agents. But they were desperate to improve the position after ranking 25th in the NFL in rushing last season with just 106.6 yards per game.

Hunt finished with 661 yards rushing and Pacheco with 462 yards. The Chiefs’ third-leading rusher was quarterback Patrick Mahomes with 422 yards and five touchdowns, and he missed the final three games of the season with a torn knee ligament.

The Chiefs had been linked to Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love in the upcoming NFL draft, but his strong scouting combine may have pushed him so far up draft boards that he will be unavailable when Kansas City is due to pick at No. 9 overall.

The Chiefs also have the No. 29 pick in the first round as part of their deal to send cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Rams. And by signing Walker in free agency, they have more flexibility in the draft to address some of their other pressing needs, including a weak pass rush, the interior of their defensive line, their offensive line depth and wide receiver.

COWBOYS GET EDGE RUSHER RASHAN GARY IN TRADE WITH PACKERS AS FREE AGENCY OPENS, AP SOURCE SAYS

The Dallas Cowboys are acquiring edge rusher Rashan Gary from the Green Bay Packers in a trade just as NFL free agency opens, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Monday.

Dallas will send a 2027 late-round pick to the Packers, the person said.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal was still being finalized.

The Cowboys and Packers reached the deal just as free agents were being allowed to talk to teams and reach agreements on contracts that can’t be signed until the league year begins Wednesday.

The Miami Dolphins announced they are releasing Tua Tagovailoa, adding another big name at quarterback to a list of free agents that will include Kyler Murray, who is being let go by Arizona.

The Dophins made another move by agreeing to trade safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to the New York Jets for a seventh-round pick, according to a person familiar with the negotiations.

The Cowboys and Green Bay have agreed on a trade involving an edge rusher for the second year in a row.

A week before the season started last year, the Cowboys traded young star Micah Parsons, who immediately signed a $188 million, four-year contract with $136 million guaranteed. It was the richest contract for a non-QB in league history. The Cowboys also got defensive tackle Kenny Clark from Green Bay in the Parsons trade.

Gary was the No. 12 overall pick in 2019, two years before Parsons went to the Cowboys in the same draft spot. Gary had 7 1/2 sacks last season, but none in the final 10 games of an up-and-down year when the Packers were hoping the addition of Parsons would be a boost for Gary.

Parsons missed the final three games and a wild-card loss to the Chicago Bears after tearing the ACL in his left knee.

The 28-year-old Gary spent his first seven seasons with the Packers and had at least 7 1/2 sacks in four of the past five years. Gary, T.J. Watt and Myles Garrett are the only NFL players with at least 40 sacks, 100 quarterback hits, five forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries since 2020.

This trade caps an eventful few days for Gary. He had posted a farewell to Green Bay on Instagram in Friday — an indication the Packers were about to move on from him — but he deleted the post later that day.

The New York Giants are re-signing veteran tight end Chris Manhertz, keeping him and running back Devin Singletary among the offensive holdovers under new coach John Harbaugh.

The team last week also re-signed receiver/returner Gunner Olszewski, and 25-year-old Wan’Dale Robinson may depart in free agency after becoming just the third player since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger 5-foot-8 or shorter to eclipse 1,000 yards receiving in a season.

The Vikings kept one of their unrestricted free agents off the market by agreeing to terms on a new contract with 10th-year veteran linebacker Eric Wilson, a three-year deal valued at $22.5 million with $12.5 million guaranteed, according to the NFL Network.

Wilson, who returned to his original team last season, had career highs in tackles for loss (17), sacks (6 1/2), quarterback hits (10) and forced fumbles (four).

CHIEFS AND TIGHT END TRAVIS KELCE NEARING A DEAL FOR HIS 14TH SEASON, AP SOURCE SAYS

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs and Travis Kelce are nearing a deal to bring the four-time All-Pro tight end back for a 14th season, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Monday.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because a contract had yet to be finalized.

The 36-year-old Kelce said late last season that he would make a decision on whether to retire by early March, which would give the Chiefs some certainty as they attempt to rebuild their roster. The negotiating window for free agents opened Monday and the league year begins Wednesday, at which point trades and contracts can be finalized.

The Chiefs also are trying to plan for next month’s NFL draft. They have two first-round picks following their trade of cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Rams last week, their original at No. 9 and the No. 29 selection that they picked up from Los Angeles.

“I think we’ve kind of taken a different approach with Travis in the sense that we’ve prepared for either scenario,” Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said during last month’s scouting combine. “Coach (Andy Reid) had mentioned on Friday he’s had great dialogue with Travis. On our end, myself, (assistant general manager) Chris Shea and Travis’ crew, we’ve had some good dialogue there.

“Travis is the best, he’s an icon and hopefully he comes back and we’ll just let that process play out.”

Kelce has myriad interests besides football, whether it be his “New Heights” podcast with his brother and retired Eagles center Jason Kelce, or his roles in film and TV. He also is engaged to pop star Taylor Swift with a wedding expected to take place soon.

But Kelce also has been adamant about the important role that football continues to play in his life.

He first began contemplating retirement two years ago, but he was drawn back to Kansas City last season in large part because he did not want his career to end with a humbling loss to Philadelphia in the Super Bowl. The same feeling of disappointment almost certainly played a role in his return again with the Chiefs now coming off a 6-11 season — their worst since 2012.

Then there is the desire to play one more season with Patrick Mahomes.

One of Kelce’s best friends, Mahomes missed the final three games of last season after tearing his ACL in the final minutes of a loss to the Chargers that eliminated Kansas City from playoff contention. The two-time MVP quarterback underwent surgery the next day and made it clear to reporters a few weeks later that he intended to be ready for Week 1 of the upcoming season.

Kelce returned last season in his best shape in years. And while he only caught 76 passes, his fewest since the 2015 season, Kelce still had 851 yards and five touchdowns — numbers that once again ranked him among the leading tight ends in the NFL.

Kelce, who will turn 37 in October, has 1,080 catches for 13,002 yards and 82 touchdowns in 192 regular-season games, putting him fourth among tight ends in receptions and third in yards in NFL history. He also has 178 catches for 2,078 yards and 20 TDs during the postseason, which have helped him win five AFC championship rings and three Super Bowl rings.

COMMANDERS RE-SIGN LEFT TACKLE LAREMY TUNSIL TO A 2-YEAR CONTRACT, AP SOURCE SAYS

The Washington Commanders have re-signed starting left tackle Laremy Tunsil to a two-year deal, putting him under contract through the 2028 season, according to a person familiar with the move.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Monday because the signing had not yet been announced.

Tunsil, who turns 32 this summer, was one of the highest-performing players at the position last season. He ranked second in pass blocking, according to Pro Football Focus, and allowed just two sacks and 15 quarterback pressures in 14 games.

He is a five-time Pro Bowl selection. His new contract is reportedly worth $60.2 million with a $32.5 million signing bonus, the largest for an offensive lineman.

Bringing back Tunsil solidifies the offensive line to protect franchise quarterback Jayden Daniels, with versatile Nick Allegretti and Andrew Wylie also re-signing. Allegretti could move to center, with Wylie or Brandon Coleman at left guard, Sam Cosmi at right guard and 2025 first-round pick Josh Conerly at right tackle.

Washington paid a significant price to acquire Tunsil a year ago in a trade with Houston: a third- and a seventh-rounder last year and a second- and a fourth-rounder this year.

The Commanders are looking to bounce back after going 5-12, a significant drop-off from their 2024 run to the NFC championship game. Coach Dan Quinn’s staff will have two new coordinators, including David Blough getting promoted to run the offense.

RAIDERS AGREE TO A 3-YEAR, $30M CONTRACT TO RETAIN CB ERIC STOKES, AP SOURCE SAYS

HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — The Las Vegas Raiders agreed to a three-year, $30 million contract on Monday to retain cornerback Eric Stokes, a person with knowledge of deal told The Associated Press.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the contract has not been finalized.

Stokes’ deal includes $20 million in guaranteed money.

He signed a one-year contract with the Raiders last season after spending his first four years in Green Bay. Stokes started 16 games to give Las Vegas some stability at an otherwise shaky position, finishing with five pass breakups and 53 tackles. Both were his second-best career totals, behind his rookie-season numbers of 14 pass breakups and 55 tackles.

Pro Football Focus rated him the 18th-best cornerback among 114 at the position.

The Raiders enter free agency on Wednesday with nearly $112 million in salary cap space, according to overthecap.com, easily the most in the NFL. They also have the No. 1 overall draft pick and are widely expected to take Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, as well as the 14th selection after agreeing to trade defensive end Maxx Crosby to Baltimore on Friday.

Las Vegas also is expected to cut veteran quarterback Geno Smith.

Second-year general manager John Spytek hopes to use all those assets to help turn around a franchise that went 3-14 last season. The Raiders also enter next season with their third coach in three years with former Seattle offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak taking over.

EDGE RUSHER JAELAN PHILLIPS AND PANTHERS AGREE ON A $120 MILLION, 4-YEAR DEAL, AP SOURCE SAYS

Edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and the Carolina Panthers have agreed on a four-year, $120 million contract, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Monday.

The person, who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the contract can’t be finalized until the start of the new league year on Wednesday, said the contract includes $80 million guaranteed.

The Philadelphia Eagles were hoping to retain Phillips after trading a third-round pick for him at the trade deadline last season.

Phillips had five sacks for the Dolphins and Eagles. A first-round pick in 2021, Phillips has 28 sacks in five seasons.

The NFC South champion Panthers finished 8-9 last season and lost to the Los Angeles Rams in a wild-card game.

JETS ACQUIRING MINKAH FITZPATRICK FROM DOLPHINS AND SIGNING HIM TO $40M EXTENSION, AP SOURCE SAYS

Minkah Fitzpatrick is coming home and filling a major need for the New York Jets.

The three-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowl safety and New Jersey native is being acquired by the Jets from the Miami Dolphins, two people with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Monday. One of the people said New York will sign Fitzpatrick to a three-year, $40 million contract extension.

The Jets will send a seventh-round pick in this year’s draft to the Dolphins in the deal, according to the people who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the trade can’t become official until the start of the NFL’s new league year on Wednesday.

The deal, first reported by ESPN, should immediately help the Jets, who became the first team in NFL history to go an entire season without an interception.

The 29-year-old Fitzpatrick, who had one year left on his contract with the Dolphins worth a non-guaranteed $15.6 million, was born in Old Bridge, New Jersey, and went to high school in Jersey City — about 25 miles from the Jets’ training facility in Florham Park and less than 10 from MetLife Stadium, his new playing home.

It’s the second major trade this offseason for the Jets, who are looking to upgrade their defense in coach Aaron Glenn’s second season. New York acquired nose tackle T’Vondre Sweat from Tennessee for edge rusher Jermaine Johnson last month.

Minkah Fitzpatrick is coming home and filling a major need for the New York Jets.

The three-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowl safety and New Jersey native is being acquired by the Jets from the Miami Dolphins, two people with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Monday. One of the people said New York will sign Fitzpatrick to a three-year, $40 million contract extension.

The Jets will send a seventh-round pick in this year’s draft to the Dolphins in the deal, according to the people who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the trade can’t become official until the start of the NFL’s new league year on Wednesday.

The deal, first reported by ESPN, should immediately help the Jets, who became the first team in NFL history to go an entire season without an interception.

The 29-year-old Fitzpatrick, who had one year left on his contract with the Dolphins worth a non-guaranteed $15.6 million, was born in Old Bridge, New Jersey, and went to high school in Jersey City — about 25 miles from the Jets’ training facility in Florham Park and less than 10 from MetLife Stadium, his new playing home.

It’s the second major trade this offseason for the Jets, who are looking to upgrade their defense in coach Aaron Glenn’s second season. New York acquired nose tackle T’Vondre Sweat from Tennessee for edge rusher Jermaine Johnson last month.

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