After months of speculation regarding where Tee Higgins would play in the 2024 NFL season, the star wide receiver will officially remain with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Higgins will sign his franchise tag with the Bengals on Saturday, and is expected to be present when the team begins training camp next month.

The signing was first reported by Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer, and later confirmed by NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport.

Higgins had the franchise tag placed on him by the Bengals on February 26, and then asked to be traded a few weeks later.

In early April, however, he then said he intended to play for Cincinnati in 2024.

By signing the tag, which will pay him $21.8million in salary for the upcoming season, Higgins and the Bengals have until July 15 to work out a multi-year deal.

Higgins is coming off an injury-marred 2023 season, as he was limited to just 12 games due to ailments to his hamstring and ribs.

He finished the year with 42 catches for 256 yards and five touchdowns after back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2021 and 2022.

The Bengals reached the AFC conference championship game in those two seasons before finishing last in the AFC South in 2023 with a 9-8 record.

A second-round pick by Cincinnati in 2020, the 25-year-old Higgins has 257 career receptions for 3,684 yards and 24 touchdowns in 58 games in his first four pro seasons.

The Bengals are scheduled to open training camp on July 26.

Quarterback Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville Jaguars have agreed to a five-year, $275 million extension that includes $200 million guaranteed, according to a person familiar with the negotiations.

With a $55 million average salary, Lawrence ties Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow for the most in NFL history.

Detroit’s Jared Goff, Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson, Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts and Justin Herbert of the Los Angeles Chargers are the other quarterbacks making at least $50 million per year.

Lawrence’s deal is surpassed in total guaranteed and fully guaranteed money only by Burrow and Cleveland’s Deshaun Watson.

The 24-year-old Lawrence is entering the fourth season of his rookie deal and the Jaguars exercised his fifth-year option earlier this offseason.

The first overall pick in the 2021 draft, Lawrence has completed 63.8 percent of his passes in 50 regular season starts for 11,770 yards with 58 touchdowns and 39 interceptions. He has compiled a 21-31 record as a starter in three seasons, including 1-1 in the playoffs. He led the Jaguars to an AFC South title and a playoff win in 2022, earning a Pro Bowl selection.

Jacksonville and Lawrence got off to an 8-3 start last season and appeared to be legitimate contenders in the AFC, but the Jaguars lost five of their final six games and failed to reach the playoffs after spending three months atop the AFC South.

Lawrence missed the first game of his career against Carolina on December 31 due to a shoulder injury, a 26-0 victory for the Jaguars.

He also missed significant practice time because of other injuries: a sprained left knee in Week 6, a sprained right ankle in Week 13 and a concussion in Week 15.

The New England Patriots will retire the number 12 shirt and build a statue in honour of iconic quarterback Tom Brady.

Brady was inducted into the Patriots' Hall of Fame on Wednesday, having led them to six Super Bowl titles during his 20-year stint with the franchise.

The three-time MVP is the all-time regular-season leader in pass attempts (12,050), completions (7,753), passing yards (89,214) and touchdown passes (649) in the NFL.

Patriots owner Robert Kraft said the statue would be placed outside the franchise's Hall of Fame to recognise Brady "not as the greatest in franchise history, but as the greatest in all of NFL history".

"I am eternally grateful. I am Tom Brady. And I am a Patriot," Brady said at the ceremony at the Gilette Stadium.

Former Patriots coach Bill Belichick added: "Thank you for all that you've done for us. Thank you for all you've done for me. And thank you for the example and motto you've been for all of us on a daily basis for 20 years."

Travis Kelce has no intentions of making this upcoming NFL season his last, though acknowledged the end is nearer than the beginning of his illustrious career.

The Kansas City Chiefs star is a three-time Super Bowl champion, defeating the San Francisco 49ers for his most recent crown last season.

With preparations already underway for the 2024 campaign, the 34-year-old – a nine-time Pro Bowler – understandably has the future on his mind.

Yet Kelce has no doubts over his ambitions this year, signalling that there is still life in his ageing career with the Chiefs.

"I love coming to work every single day and doing this, so I am going to do it until the wheels fall off and hopefully that doesn't happen anytime soon," Kelce said after the Chiefs' practice on Tuesday.

"I can't put a time frame on it, man. I know that there are opportunities outside of football for me and I think you've got to keep in perspective that I'm still a little kid when I come into this building.

"I know I'm 34 years old, about to be 35, but I have a love to do this right here in the middle of the heat in June."

Kelce's relationship with global superstar singer Taylor Swift has drawn unprecedented media attention off the field, while he has shown interest in acting after his career ends.

Hosting a podcast with his brother Jason, another former NFL star, Kelce has multiple options when he chooses to call time on his playing days.

"I do take the offseason to get away and kind of recharge, but at the same time, I'm a football player," Kelce added.

"I love playing in the NFL and this will always be my main focus, but outside of that, football ends for everybody, so kind of dipping your toes in the water and seeing what you like in different areas in different career fields, I think the offseason is the best chance you can get."

As for on the field, the Chiefs added two tight ends this year with veteran Irv Smith Jr. and draft pick Jared Wiley. 

Noah Gray, their fourth-leading receiver last season, is also back, suggesting Kansas coach Andy Reid is keen to manage Kelce's workload.

"It's my job to make sure that Coach Reid has full confidence in me whenever he needs me out on that field or whenever I'm out on that field," Kelce said.

"As much as I want to be out there every single play, I understand that it's for the better of the team when I'm not.

"I'm more comfortable with that right now because of the guys that we have in the room. We've got a lot of great tight ends in the building and it's fun seeing them have success as well."

The New York Jets opened mandatory mini-camp on Tuesday, but neither quarterback Aaron Rodgers nor edge rusher Haason Reddick were present.

Coach Robert Saleh said neither player was excused, meaning both are subject to fines.

Players who miss camp without an excused absence can be fined $16,953 for missing the first day, and $33,908 for the second day for a total of $50,861.

Saleh told reporters Rodgers' absence for the first day of camp is because he's attending something that is "very important to him."

Reddick is seeking a new contract, but after he skipped last week's voluntary workouts, Saleh said he expected him to be present for the start of the team's mandatory camp.

Rodgers, however, attended last week's workouts, as well as organised team activities throughout the off-season.

"Aaron and I spoke before OTAs started," Saleh said. "He's been very good with communication. He's been here the entire time. It's inexcused, but he had an event that was very important to him - which he communicated."

The four-time league MVP also told Saleh he would not attend Wednesday's work-out.

Rodgers is returning from a torn left Achilles tendon that was sustained in the 2023 opener, ending his season just four snaps into his Jets tenure.

Reddick was acquired by the Jets in a March trade with the Philadelphia Eagles. A two-time Pro Bowler, he had 11 sacks last season and 58 in his seven-year pro career.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have extended the contract of long-serving head coach Mike Tomlin to run through the 2027 season, the team announced on Monday.

Tomlin, who is set to enter his 18th season in charge of the Steelers, had seen his future become a subject of debate during an up-and-down 2023 campaign.

Pittsburgh appeared as though they might miss the playoffs when a three-game losing streak saw them slump to 7-7 by mid-December, but they bounced back with three straight victories to finish 10-7 and make the wild-card round.

They were then eliminated by the Buffalo Bills after benching 2022 first-round quarterback Kenny Pickett in favour of Mason Rudolph.

Nevertheless, Tomlin maintained his record of having never endured a losing season with Pittsburgh, who he led to glory at Super Bowl XLIII to cap the 2008 season, also losing to the Green Bay Packers at Super Bowl XLV two years later.

Tomlin's worst seasons with the Steelers came in 2012, 2013 and 2019, all of which saw them finish with an even 8-8 record.

Confirming Tomlin's three-year extension, franchise president Art Rooney II said: "Mike Tomlin's leadership and commitment to the Steelers have been pivotal to our success during his first 17 years as head coach.

"Extending his contract for three more years reflects our confidence in his ability to guide the team back to winning playoff games and championships, while continuing our tradition of success."

Tomlin told the team's website: "I am appreciative for this contract extension and thankful for Art Rooney II for his support during my first 17 years in Pittsburgh.

"We are continuing to work diligently to get back to where we belong – sustained playoff success with the ultimate goal of winning the franchise's seventh Lombardi Trophy.

"I am very excited to get the 2024 season under way and provide our fans with a memorable year."

The Steelers have undergone a major rebuild this offseason, revamping their QB room by bringing in Russell Wilson from the Denver Broncos and Justin Fields from the Chicago Bears, with Pickett being traded to the Philadelphia Eagles.

The arrival of former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen in free agency also bolstered the team's defense, which ranked sixth in the league for fewest points allowed per game (18.5) in 2023.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice has vowed to mature after a tumultuous offseason that saw him arrested for allegedly causing a six-vehicle crash.

Rice faces charges including aggravated assault after he and another driver of a speeding car allegedly caused a pile-up on a Dallas highway in April.

He was also investigated in connection with an alleged assault in a Dallas nightclub, but police said no charges would be brought against him over that incident last month.

The second-year receiver – who caught six passes for 39 yards as the Chiefs beat the San Francisco 49ers to win Super Bowl LVIII in February – says he has learned from those incidents and is determined to put them behind him. 

"I've learned so much from that," he said. "All I can do is mature and continue to grow from that. This is a step in a better direction for me.

"Accidents and stuff like that happen, but all you can do is move forward and walk around being the same person, try to be positive so that everybody can feel your love and your great energy."

Rice's 26 passes caught throughout last season's playoffs represented a new record for any rookie, beating Ja'Marr Chase's total of 25 from two years earlier. 

Throughout his first regular season in the league, the former SMU Mustangs man caught 79 passes for 938 yards and seven touchdowns in 16 games.

Christian McCaffrey has reset the running back market in the NFL.

McCaffrey agreed to a two-year, $38million extension with the San Francisco 49ers on Tuesday, making him the league's highest-paid running back.

The new deal keeps McCaffrey, who turns 28 on Friday, under contract for the next four years after he signed a four-year, $64million extension in 2020 following his third season with the Carolina Panthers.

The 49ers acquired McCaffrey from the Panthers via a trade during the 2022 season, and he won the AP Offensive Player of the Year award in his first full season in San Francisco in 2023 after leading the NFL in rushing with 1,459 yards with 14 touchdowns.

He added another 564 receiving yards and seven TD receptions to help the 49ers secure the top seed in the NFC.

In 27 games with the 49ers, he has 2,205 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns to go with 1,028 receiving yards and 11 receiving TDs.

Since his 2017 rookie season, he leads all players with 10,505 scrimmage yards, while his 81 scrimmage touchdowns trail only Derrick Henry's 88.

Known for his bruising running style, McCaffrey also leads all players with 72 runs of at least 10 yards over the last two seasons.

McCaffrey attended the first day of San Francisco's mandatory mini-camp on Tuesday after skipping voluntary work-outs over the last two weeks.

Justin Jefferson has put up record-setting numbers on the football field.

He now has a record-setting contract to go with it.

Jefferson and the Minnesota Vikings agreed Monday to a four-year extension that will reportedly make him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.

The deal includes $88million at signing, $110million in guaranteed money and is worth as much as $140million.

"Justin is an exceptionally talented player and an incredible person that I am honored to coach and have as a team captain," Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell said in a statement. "His positive energy and love for the game shows up every single day as he works to be the best at his craft. As coaches, we will do our part in helping him maximize his ability."

Since being drafted 22nd overall in the 2020 draft, Jefferson has been the NFL's most productive receiver.

His 5,899 receiving yards are the most in league history through a player's first four seasons, and his average of 98.3 receiving yards per game are the most in the NFL since 2020.

Over the last four seasons, his 66 receptions of 25 or more yards are nine more than Tyreek Hill for the most in the NFL, and he also has 30 touchdown receptions.

The 2022 AP NFL Offensive Player of the year managed to compile these impressive stats despite missing seven games last season because of a hamstring injury.

Although he sat out nearly half of the 2023 season, he still reached 1,074 receiving yards.

"Over the first four seasons of his career, Justin entrenched himself as the best wide receiver and one of the most electric players in the NFL," Vikings owners Mark and Zygi Wilf said in a statement. "He is a special talent, a committed teammate and an excellent representative of the Vikings. Justin has earned this contract, and we are thrilled he will remain a Minnesota Viking for a very long time."

A three-time Pro Bowler, the 25-year-old Jefferson will now be paired with a new quarterback after Kirk Cousins signed with the Atlanta Falcons in the off-season.

The Vikings drafted J.J. McCarthy 10th overall in this year's draft and also signed former No. 3 pick Sam Darnold in March.

Jaylen Waddle has become the latest star wide receiver to receive a big new contract this offseason, as the Miami Dolphins standout has agreed to a three-year, $84.75 million extension according to multiple reports.

NFL.com reported Thursday that Waddle will receive a minimum of $76 million on his new deal, which begins in 2026 and will run through the 2028 season. That amount is the third-largest sum of guaranteed money to a wide receiver in league history, trailing only Philadelphia Eagles star A.J. Brown's $84 million and Detroit Lions playmaker Amon-Ra St. Brown's $77 million.

The $28.25 average annual value of Waddle's extension is the fourth-highest among wide receivers behind Brown ($32 million), St. Brown and Dolphins teammate Tyreek Hill (both $30 million).

Both Brown and St. Brown signed their extensions this offseason as well. Three other receivers, Philadephia's DeVonta Smith ($75 million), Nico Collins of the Houston Texans ($72.75 million) and Michael Pittman Jr. of the Indianapolis Colts ($70 million), recently agreed to new three-year deals. 

Taken by Miami with the sixth overall pick in the 2021 draft, Waddle is one of only five players in NFL history to begin his career with three consecutive seasons with at least 70 catches and 1,000 receiving yards. That list includes another current Dolphins player in Odell Beckham Jr., who did so with the New York Giants from 2014-16, as well as Michael Thomas (four straight from 2016-19), Justin Jefferson (2020-22) and Ja'Marr Chase (2021-23).

Waddle set an NFL rookie record with 104 receptions in 2021, a mark that was surpassed this past season by the Los Angeles' Rams Puka Nacua (105). In 47 career regular-season games, the 25-year-old has compiled 251 catches for 3,385 yards and 18 touchdowns.

The former University of Alabama star was a key part of a Miami offence that led the NFL with 4,514 net passing yards in 2023, with Waddle contributing 1,014 yards and four touchdowns on 72 receptions in 14 games.

Waddle has two seasons remaining on his rookie contract after the Dolphins exercised his fifth-year option in April. 

Wide receiver Nico Collins took a major step forward last season with C.J. Stroud.

The Houston Texans rewarded him for his production.

The Texans and Collins agreed to a three-year extension worth $72.5million on Tuesday.

The deal, which was reported by NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, includes $52million guaranteed, and holds a maximum value of $75million.

Collins, who was entering the fourth and final year of his rookie contract, is coming off his best season in the NFL, leading the Texans with 80 receptions for 1,297 yards with eight touchdowns.

In three pro seasons, he has 150 catches for 2,224 yards and 11 TDs.

Teamed with the rookie Stroud at quarterback in 2023, the Texans emerged as having one of the top passing offences in the NFL.

Houston surprisingly won the AFC South and reached the divisional round - the franchise's first trip to the play-offs since 2019.

The Texans will enter this season with lofty expectations after adding another star wide receiver in Stefon Diggs to a roster that already includes Tank Dell.

The entire 2024 NFL schedule is now set.

While all the matchups have been known since the conclusion of the 2023 regular season, and some games were revealed in the last few days, the league released the remainder of the schedule on Wednesday.

The latest schedule update included the American Thanksgiving triple-header featuring the Chicago Bears visiting the Detroit Lions, followed by the New York Giants at the Dallas Cowboys and wrapping up with the Miami Dolphins travelling to Green Bay to face the Packers.

The following day on Black Friday, the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs will host the Las Vegas Raiders.

Earlier in the day, the NFL announced the five international games and the Christmas Day doubleheader.

Christmas, which falls on a Wednesday, will see the Chiefs visiting the Pittsburgh Steelers, followed by the Houston Texans hosting the Baltimore Ravens.

On Boxing Day, the Chicago Bears will host the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday Night Football.

The Chiefs and Ravens will kick off the season in Kansas City on September 5 in a rematch of last season's AFC Championship Game.

The following night, the NFL will play its first game in South America with the Philadelphia Eagles and Packers squaring off in São Paulo, Brazil.

The first Sunday Night game of the season features the Detroit Lions hosting the Los Angeles Rams in a rematch of their thrilling wild-card game.

The first Monday Night Football game will see Aaron Rodgers make his return after rupturing his Achilles tendon just four snaps into his Jets career with New York visiting the defending NFC champion San Francisco 49ers.

Other Week 1 highlights include Russell Wilson appearing in his first game for the Steelers, as Pittsburgh visits the Atlanta Falcons, and No. 1 pick Caleb Williams making his NFL debut with the Chicago Bears hosting the Tennessee Titans.

Other rookie quarterbacks likely to take the field in Week 1 include No. 2 pick Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders visiting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, No. 3 pick Drake Maye and the New England Patriots visiting the Cincinnati Bengals, and J.J. McCarthy, the 10th overall pick, of the Minnesota Vikings visiting the Giants.

The Jim Harbaugh era in Los Angeles begins with the Chargers hosting the Raiders.

Aaron Rodgers will meet an old rival in a new uniform as one of five International Games matchups announced by the NFL on Wednesday. 

Rodgers' New York Jets will take on the Minnesota Vikings at London's Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Oct. 6, one of three games that will take place in the United Kingdom capital in 2024.

The International Series will kick off on the league's opening weekend with a clash between Rodgers' former team, the Green Bay Packers, and the Philadelphia Eagles in São Paulo, Brazil on Friday, Sept. 6. That game will be the first of any kind held by the NFL in South America, as well as the first to take place on a Friday during Week 1 in more than 50 years.

The Jacksonville Jaguars will take part in the other two games held in London, and could face a rookie quarterback in each. Jacksonville will host the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Stadium on Oct. 13 and will meet the New England Patriots at Wembley Stadium one week later on Oct. 20.

Chicago selected 2022 Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams with the first overall pick in this year's draft, while the Patriots chose North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye with the third overall pick.

The Jaguars have been involved in more international games than any NFL team, as this season's matchups will be the 12th and 13th played in London in franchise history.

Munich, Germany will host the final 2024 international game when the New York Giants and Carolina Panthers square off at Allianz Arena on Nov. 10.

"We are delighted to announce these exciting matchups across London and Munich, in addition to the historic first game in São Paulo, Brazil, to complete the 2024 International Games slate," NFL executive vice president of club business, major events & international Peter O'Reilly said in a league press release. “As the league and its 32 teams continue to prioritise international growth, we look forward to building on the incredible fan experiences seen in Europe while taking the game to new fans in South America."

The Giants-Panthers contest will be the second to take place in Munich during the regular season, with the Seattle Seahawks and Tampa Bay Buccaneers having met at Allianz Arena in 2022. The NFL staged two games in Frankfurt last season, including a 21-14 victory by the eventual Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs over the Miami Dolphins. 

The NFL also announced on Wednesday that the Giants will be the featured team for its popular Hard Knocks television documentary series to be broadcast in July. This season's episodes will chronicle the team's day-to-day operations during this offseason.

Additionally, the league announced that its two Christmas Day games of the 2024 season will be broadcast by streaming service giant Netflix. 

The participants of those two games will be announced when the NFL reveals its full 2024 schedule at 8 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday. 

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed safety Antoine Winfield Jr. to a four-year, $84.1million contract extension, Winfield’s agent announced Monday.

The contract makes Winfield the NFL’s highest-paid defensive back and the first safety to ever hold that distinction.

Winfield’s contract includes $45m in guaranteed money. He had been scheduled to make about $17m next season under the franchise tag.

Winfield’s agent David Mulugheta posted the news on social media with a screen capture of the moment he informed Winfield that the deal was done.

"Couldn't be happier to make this call and let Antoine know he just made HISTORY! The first time that a safety is the highest-paid defensive back in the NFL," Mulugheta wrote.

"In a year where the value of safeties has been questioned, the Buccaneer Organization, the Glazer Family and GM Jason Licht have stepped up and taken care of one of their most valuable family members.

"Congratulations Antoine, you have accomplished something that has never been done before. You will forever be etched in history as the first. I appreciate your trust and cannot wait to see you back on the field."

Winfield, 25, is the son of retired defensive back Antoine Winfield Sr. and was drafted by the Buccaneers in the second round in 2020.

The 2023 All-Pro has become one of the best and most versatile defensive backs in the league and is coming off his best season.

In 17 games last season, Winfield set career bests with six sacks, three interceptions, 12 pass deflections, six forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries.

Winfield is the latest key contributor to be signed to an extension by the Buccaneers this offseason. Quarterback Baker Mayfield, wide receiver Mike Evans and linebacker Lavonte David all signed deals this spring to remain with Tampa Bay.

The Detroit Lions and quarterback Jared Goff have agreed to a four-year, $212 million extension that will make him the NFL's second-highest-paid player, multiple outlets reported Monday.

According to NFL.com, Goff's new deal will begin in 2025 and includes an option for the 2028 season. The Associated Press reports that the three-time Pro Bowler will receive $170 million in guaranteed money.

Goff's average annual value of $53 million per year during the extension is surpassed only by Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow for the highest in the NFL. Burrow will earn $55 million per year on a five-year, $275 million extension that begins this season.

The Lions have now locked up three core offensive players from a team that reached the 2023 NFC Championship game this offseason. Detroit previously signed top wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown to a four-year, $120 million extension and All-Pro right tackle Penei Sewell to a four-year, $112 million deal last month.

Goff was entering the final season of a four-year, $134 million contract he signed with the Los Angeles Rams in 2019. The Lions acquired the 29-year-old from the Rams in March 2021 as part of the blockbuster trade that sent long-time Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford to Los Angeles.

The trade has worked out very well for both teams. While the Rams won a Super Bowl in Stafford's first season, the Lions have gone 21-13 with Goff at quarterback over the past two years and reached the play-offs for the first time since 2016 after going 12-5 and winning the NFC's North Division in 2023.

Detroit then recorded post-season wins over the Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers to earn the franchise's first appearance in the conference title game since 1991.

Goff's 4,575 passing yards in 2023 ranked second in the NFL and his 30 touchdown passes were the fourth-highest total in the league. Over his three seasons in Detroit, the 2016 No. 1 overall pick has compiled 12,258 passing yards with 78 touchdown passes and just 27 interceptions for a passer rating of 96.5.

Prior to his arrival with the Lions, Goff spent his first five seasons with the Rams. The best of those campaigns came in 2018, when he set career highs in passing yards (4,688) and touchdown passes (32) while leading the Rams to an appearance in Super Bowl LIII.