Four available free agents who fit 49ers’ biggest roster needs originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area The free-agent signing period has slowed, but the 49ers’ work may not be completed. One spot where San Francisco could look to bring in a player capable of starting is safety. And the market appears to be on their side, too, as there …

Oklahoma’s Konnor Near speaks during a media day for the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) football team in Norman, Okla., Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023. NORMAN — OU linebacker Konnor Near is reportedly jumping ship. The redshirt senior are set to enter the transfer portal, On3 reported Monday. The report came a week after the Sooners opened spring camp ahead of …

Leighton Vander Esch has announced his retirement from the NFL. The 28-year-old played his entire career with the Dallas Cowboys, having recorded 469 tackles (269 solo), 13 tackles for a loss and 3.5 sacks. He also defended 13 passes and forced three fumbles.  “Playing for the Jones family [and the coaching staff] have been the best days of my life. …

The Buffalo Bills have locked down one of their best defensive players for the future. On Monday, ESPN reported that Buffalo had signed All-Pro cornerback Taron Johnson to a three-year extension. The extension reportedly makes him the NFL’s highest-paid nickel corner.  Johnson had one more year remaining on his deal, so this new extension carries him through 2027. The Bills …

The University of Memphis’ renovations of Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium will be split into three phases and are expected to be completed before the start of the 2026 football season, university officials announced Monday. Officials unveiled new renderings and specific plans for the project, which is expected to cost $220 million. Among the new features unveiled Monday were a party …

USATSI The Pittsburgh Steelers made an abrupt change at quarterback this weekend, trading 2022 first-round draft pick Kenny Pickett before acquiring Justin Fields. Days after the initial move, Pickett has addressed his sudden move to the Philadelphia Eagles, telling reporters Monday “it was time” for a split from Pittsburgh, all but acknowledging discord with Steelers decision-makers. “I just thought it …

Ralph Vacchiano NFC East Reporter The New York Giants met with Russell Wilson last week. Then they signed Drew Lock. They have also heavily scouted all the top quarterbacks in this year’s draft, and they’ve spoken to teams about the possibility of trading up, presumably to take one. And all of this comes one year after they gave a four-year, …

The Dolphins have added another piece to their offensive line. The team announced the signing of former Eagle Jack Driscoll. No terms of the deal were disclosed. Driscoll was a 2020 fourth-round pick and he appeared in 58 regular season and playoff games while with the NFC East club. Driscoll started 17 of those games and saw time at both …

The Michigan football program kicked off spring practice on Monday and already there’s a departure. Eamonn Dennis, a senior wide receiver who mostly played special teams, posted on social media that he has entered the transfer portal. The 5-foot-10, 188-pound wide receiver from Worcester, Massachusetts, shared in his post that he graduated early after 3½ years of school and that …

Former Dallas Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch is calling it a career. After six years in Dallas, Vander Esch will announce on Monday that he is retiring from the NFL, according to ESPN. The Cowboys released the 28-year-old Vander Esch last week as part of a series of cap-clearing moves, but it was widely expected that he would announce his …

Getty Images The Cleveland Browns found a way to re-sign pass rusher Za’Darius Smith this offseason, but they also may be prepared to take a flier on a veteran who hasn’t played since the 2020 season. According to NFL Media, Aaron Lynch was in Cleveland this week, and participated in a “positive” workout for the Browns Monday. Lynch, who turned 31 …

Four-star defensive back recruit Tae Harris decommitted from the Georgia Bulldogs on Jan. 21, 2024. Now, Harris has committed to the Clemson Tigers. The 5-foot-11, 200-pound athlete is the No. 193 recruit and No. 15 safety in the rising senior class, per 247Sports. Harris is ranked as the No. 26 player in Georgia. Tae Harris plays high school football for …

Getty Images Less than a week after getting spurned by a kicker in free agency, the Jaguars have finally signed one. The team has agreed to terms on a one-year deal with Joey Slye.  The Jaguars went into free agency looking for a kicker and they thought they had one last week when they agreed to terms with Wil Lutz. …

Linebacker Leighton Vander Esch will be calling it a career. Per multiple reports, the former Cowboy will be retiring today. A first-round pick in 2018, he made it to the Pro Bowl as a rookie. Last year, injuries limited him to only five games. He has had neck issues dating back to college. The Cowboys released him last week, after …

Coach Josh Heupel answered nine questions before quarterback Nico Iamaleava was even mentioned in his opening press conference of Tennessee spring football practice. Eight transfers, 14 freshmen and two new assistant coaches were the hotter topics on Monday. So was edge rusher James Pearce, who’s projected as a potential NFL first-round pick. And freshman quarterback Jake Merklinger, who will compete …