Coaching contracts can have all sorts of weird, or creative, clauses. Consider Dabo Swinney’s Clemson contract.

Like most football coaches, Swinney has a significant buyout ($5 million) should he leave for another school. But that buyout gets $2.5 million bigger if he leaves for Alabama, his alma mater. If Swinney had gone to Tuscaloosa in January after legendary coach Nick Saban announced his retirement, it would have cost him $7.5 million.

So while it’s common for major football and men’s basketball coaches’ contracts to have substantial buyouts — Texas A&M paying Jimbo Fisher a staggering $75 million to leave last fall is another example — that’s usually not the case with women’s coaches’ contracts.

It’s why the buyout portion of Teri Moren’s Indiana contract is particularly unusual. 

If Moren resigned April 1, 2024, she would owe just $550,000, even though her contract, which pays her $1.25 million annually and makes her the eighth-highest paid women’s coach this season, runs through March 2029. 

WOMEN’S BRACKET MADNESS: Enter USA TODAY’s women’s tournament bracket contest for a chance at $1 million prize.

But it’s a different story if she leaves to coach at Purdue, her alma mater and a Big Ten rival just 115 miles northwest of Bloomington. 

In that case, Moren must pay Indiana a whopping $10 million. Seriously.

“When (former athletics director) Fred Glass hired me (in 2014), he put an obnoxious amount of money in my contract for me to not be able to leave for Purdue,” she said, laughing. “I had no idea that kind of stuff could exist. I thought it was funny when he said it and then I saw my contract and was like, ‘Holy cow, that’s in writing!’ ”

It’s likely the only time Moren has felt on equal footing with men’s coaches — at least in salary.

Email Lindsay Schnell at lschnell@usatoday.com or follow her on social media @Lindsay_Schnell

It wasn’t shocking that UFC fighter Sean Strickland, yet again, said something deeply homophobic and awful. He is, after all, a deeply homophobic and awful person. This isn’t opinion or hyperbole. This is a fact.

What would you call a person who went on X, formerly Twitter, to spew hatred towards the LGBTQ community? Not once, but at least twice? We won’t get into all of what Strickland recently said because much of it is vile stuff. One part was this: ‘I just look at gays like a form of (intellectual disability) but I fully accept them. Could you imagine if we seen any species on this planet wake up one day and all chose to be gay. We would all think ‘wow there is clearly something wrong with that species.’ Why are humans exempt? Come on.’

Strickland isn’t exactly a mental giant.

The bigotry from Strickland was so bad it caught the attention of former NFL player Carl Nassib, who in 2021 became the first active player in NFL history to come out while on a team. Nassib said on Instagram: ‘This guy is the absolute scum of humanity. Insane the UFC continues to give this guy a paycheck.’

Nassib shared a DM he sent to Strickland before this latest attack:

‘What’s up Sean. I really don’t appreciate all the hate and negativity you have towards the gay community. You’re constantly talking about killing influencers and how much hate you have for people like me. I’ve never watched UFC or seen you compete but I’ve been hearing about you lately and it’s (expletive) up. I’m asking you as a man and fellow competitor to please lay off my community moving forward. You’ll inspire people who are influenced by you to hurt people like me and nobody wants that.’

Nassib makes an important point. This type of hatred is viral and rabid. It can potentially get people hurt or worse. Strickland has a huge platform as a UFC fighter and his words can do damage far beyond his solitary ignorance.

So, no, Strickland’s hate isn’t a surprise. The UFC’s continued inaction when it comes to Strickland is.

The UFC, which didn’t respond to a request for comment from USA TODAY Sports, has been repeatedly small and flaccid when it comes to Strickland. For a league based on fighting, when it comes to confronting LGBTQ hate, the UFC doesn’t seem to have the stomach for it.

Other sports leagues, far from perfect, do seem to understand that there has to be some type of pushback against people like Strickland. For all of its faults, if an NFL player twice said what Strickland did, there’d be massive repercussions. After Michael Sam, in 2014, became the first openly gay player drafted by an NFL team, Dolphins defensive back Don Jones tweeted ‘OMG’ and ‘horrible.’ He deleted the post but it was too late. The team fined him an undisclosed amount and suspended him. Jones wasn’t allowed to return until he finished sensitivity training which the team said Jones did and he was reinstated.

‘I want to apologize to Michael Sam for the inappropriate comments that I made last night on social media,’ Jones said in a statement then. ‘I take full responsibility for them, and I regret that these tweets took away from his draft moment. I remember last year when I was drafted in the seventh round and all of the emotions and happiness I felt when I received the call that gave me an opportunity to play for an NFL team, and I wish him all the best in his NFL career.

‘I sincerely apologize to (owner) Mr. (Stephen) Ross, my teammates, coaches, staff and fans for these tweets. I am committed to represent the values of the Miami Dolphins organization and appreciate the opportunity I have been given to do so going forward.’

See how that works?

The NBA would also take action. How do I know this? Because they did when Nets guard Cam Thomas last year made an inappropriate comment during a live television interview. He was fined $40,000.

‘I want to apologize for the insensitive word I used in the postgame interview,’ he wrote on X. ‘I was excited about the win and was being playful. I definitely didn’t intend to offend anyone, but realize that I probably did. My apologies again. Much love.’

The previous year the NBA fined Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards $40,000 for homophobic remarks he made on social media.

‘What I said was immature, hurtful, and disrespectful, and I’m incredibly sorry. It’s unacceptable for me or anyone to use that language in such a hurtful way,’ Edwards posted. ‘There’s no excuse for it, at all. I was raised better than that!’

See how that works.

Even the NHL, which has massively bungled LGBTQ issues, penalized a player for anti-gay language. Anaheim’s Ryan Getzlaf was fined $10,000 in 2017 for using a homophobic slur.

‘A situation like that, where I’m on the bench by myself, frustration set in,’ Getzlaf said. ‘There was obviously some words said, not necessarily directed at anyone in particular. It was just kind of a comment. I’ve got to be a little bit more responsible for the words I choose. … I understand that it’s my responsibility to not use vulgar language, period, whether it’s a swear word or whatever it is. We’ve got to be a little bit more respectful of the game, and that’s up to me.’

‘Getzlaf’s comment in Thursday’s game, particularly as directed to another individual on the ice, was inappropriately demeaning and disrespectful, and crossed the line into behavior that we deem unacceptable,’ NHL executive Colin Campbell said at the time. ‘The type of language chosen and utilized in this instance will not be tolerated in the National Hockey League.’

See how that works?

Again, all leagues have faults and get things wrong but when it comes to Strickland, for whatever reason, the UFC doesn’t seem interested in responding with the forceful rebuttal to his hate that’s required.

Hopefully, that will come. Hopefully, we’ll see the UFC take a stand. Not sure it will happen.

I’d love to be wrong.

Wide receiver Mike Williams is entering free agency.

The Los Angeles Chargers released Williams just hours before the start of the new league year on Wednesday, the team announced.

Williams’ release saves the Chargers $20 million against their salary cap. The Chargers entered Wednesday roughly $25 million over the salary cap, per Over The Cap.

The 6-foot-4 wide receiver is likely to draw significant interest on the open market as one of the top free agents now available despite him coming off a torn ACL that cut his 2023 season short. USA TODAY Sports explores possible landing spots for the 29-year-old wideout.

New England Patriots

The Patriots have a massive void at wide receiver. New England didn’t have a wideout top 50 catches last season, and the team had the NFL’s 28th ranked pass offense in 2023.

NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.

New England’s best wideouts entering the season are Kendrick Bourne and JuJu Smith-Schuster.

Williams is a better receiver than both. He would bring the Patriots a wideout with a big catch radius and somebody who thrives on making contested catches.

However, New England’s hole at quarterback could be a deterrent. Journeyman Jacoby Brissett is the top QB on the Patriots’ roster, but the team could select a signal-caller with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

Chicago Bears

Chicago already has been active in free agency because of their abundance of cap space. According to Over The Cap, the Bears entered Wednesday with more than $56 million in salary cap space.

Williams’ addition in the Windy City would give the Bears a dynamic combination on the outside with DJ Moore.

Williams has averaged nearly 10 yards a reception the past two seasons. Moore averaged 10 yards a catch last year. Plus, the Bears have tight ends Cole Kmet and recently acquired former Charger Gerald Everett.

The Bears do have some questions at quarterback. A person with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports that the Bears are considering trading Justin Fields. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.

Chicago has the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft and many around the NFL expect the franchise to select USC QB Caleb Williams.

Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings are an interesting option, especially with the uncertain future of wide receiver Justin Jefferson. Jefferson, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract, wants the Vikings or any other interested team to back up the Brinks truck for his services.

Minnesota last season drafted receiver Jordan Addison, who put up a fine rookie campaign. But with Jefferson’s long-term future in doubt, Williams could be added as insurance.

The Vikings also have questions at quarterback, which might discourage Williams from signing in Minnesota. The Vikings replaced Kirk Cousins with Sam Darnold. But Darnold figures to be more of a bridge quarterback at this point of his career.

Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs know all too well about Williams. While playing for the division rival Chargers, Williams customarily torched Kansas City.

Williams compiled 43 catches, 692 receiving yards and six touchdown receptions in 11 career games against the Chiefs. It’s the most catches, receiving yards and touchdown grabs he’s had against any NFL opponent.

The Chiefs led the NFL with 44 drops in 2023. Williams has sure hands and would supply Patrick Mahomes with a legitimate X-receiver on the outside.

Kansas City released Marquez Valdes-Scantling and are rumored to be in the wide receiver market this offseason.

Los Angeles Chargers

Yes, there’s a chance Williams returns to Los Angeles, a person close to the situation told USA TODAY Sports. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.

Since the Chargers drafted Williams No. 7 overall in the 2017 NFL draft, he has blossomed into one of the league’s premier deep threats. Williams produced 309 catches, 4,806 yards and 31 touchdowns in seven seasons with the Chargers. He averaged 15.6 yards per catch as a Charger and was a popular figure in the team’s locker room.

Williams suffered a season-ending ACL injury in Week 3 of the 2023 season, but is expected to be ready to go in 2024.

He would have to accept a team-friendly deal to return to the Chargers.

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Inter Miami star Lionel Messi is unlikely to play in Saturday’s road game against D.C. United due to a right hamstring strain, coach Tata Martino said after a 3-1 win over Nashville SC on Wednesday night.

Messi left Inter Miami’s Concacaf Champions Cup second leg match with what is translated from Spanish as “muscle overload.” Martino said Messi would undergo imaging to see the extent of the injury.

Messi attempted to play in the second half of the game against Nashville, but walked off as a surprise substitute five minutes into the half.

“We didn’t want to run a risk,” Martino said about Messi after he scored a goal and assisted another to help Inter Miami advance to the quarterfinal of the Champions Cup.

“We tried to see if he could go a little longer, but we preferred for him to get out of the game.”

Inter Miami has a training session scheduled Friday before traveling to Washington D.C. for Saturday’s 2 p.m. ET match against D.C. United.

Following the match, Messi is expected to join the Argentina national team for two friendlies that will serve as warmups for this summer’s Copa America.

Argentina will play against El Salvador in Philadelphia on March 22, and Costa Rica in Los Angeles on March 26.

Messi could miss two Inter Miami games: Inter Miami vs. New York Red Bulls on March 23, and Inter Miami vs. New York City FC on March 30 for rest purposes.

“I don’t want to risk it, but I would imagine for Saturday’s match he will not be available,” Martino said. “Looking ahead, we’ll evaluate. He’ll get some imaging done. And we’ll see how it develops.”

Inter Miami beat Nashville SC 5-3 on aggregate in their Champions Cup Round-of-16 matchup. The club is also tied with four other teams atop the MLS Eastern Conference with seven points after a 2-1-1 (win-draw-loss) start to the season.

As strategic and adaptable as Nick Saban was while racking up one national title after another at Alabama, his attempt Tuesday to convince lawmakers how tough coaches have it right now was like trying to run the football against a nine-man front. 

“It’s whoever wants to pay the most money, raise the most money, buy the most players is going to have the best opportunity to win,” he said during a round table on Capitol Hill hosted by Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas. “I don’t think that’s the spirit of college athletics. I don’t think it’s ever been the spirit of what we want college athletics to be, so that’s my major concern; the combination of pay-for-play, free agency and how that impacts development.”

Even if Saban is right about some of the problems that the new world of college sports has brought, it’s hard to stomach a former football coach with a private jet waiting to fly them back to a $17.5 million oceanfront mansion talking about the corrupting influence of money. 

A 72-year old man who no longer liked his $11 million-a-year job enough to keep doing it is the wrong messenger delivering the wrong message. 

But there is a more compelling story going on in college sports right now about the need for some order and how financial inequities are pulling the game in a direction that a lot of people — not just highly paid coaches and administrators — have some legitimate concerns about. 

Kane Wommack gave up a promising tenure at South Alabama to become Alabama’s defensive coordinator. 
Maurice Linguist left Buffalo to become Alabama’s co-DC and cornerbacks coach. 
Shawn Elliott walked away from Georgia State at the start of spring practice to become South Carolina’s tight ends coach and running game coordinator. 
Jerry Kill stepped down at New Mexico State and immediately joined the Vanderbilt staff as chief consultant to head coach Clark Lea.

Taken individually, each circumstance can be rationalized through a series of unique personal and professional factors.

But on a macro level, this is an almost completely new trend in a business where FBS head coaching jobs — even at the smaller programs — were viewed either as the pinnacle of a career or a launching pad to the big-time. And what it says about college sports right now is far more nuanced and important than Saban pining for the good old days when players didn’t ask about money. 

“I always said the only more exclusive club than being an FBS head coach was being in the U.S. Senate,” New Mexico State athletics director Mario Moccia told USA TODAY Sports. “What’s happening has really floored me. It’s a recalibration of thinking.”

At the end of New Mexico State’s season, Moccia wasn’t particularly surprised when Kill revealed that he was done after just two years. Kill has suffered from multiple health issues, including struggles with epilepsy that forced him to retire from Minnesota in 2015. 

But the cruel irony of his success last season — New Mexico State went 10-5, beat Auburn and made the Conference USA championship game — only meant that the Aggies’ roster would be more susceptible to getting ransacked by programs with big name, image and likeness budgets. 

At a time when he should have been celebrating a breakthrough season, Kill was fretting about fundraising and how New Mexico State was going to keep its team together — a legitimate concern given that 11 players ultimately transferred to power conference schools. 

“He was worn down,” Moccia said. “It became a big pain in the (rear).” 

The point here is not to deny players the opportunity to make money or transfer to a program on a bigger stage if that’s their goal. That’s how the NCAA operated for decades, and when people began to mount legal challenges to those rules, the house caved in as if its roof was made of tissue paper.

But the current free-for-all has created a different reality for programs like New Mexico State and others in the so-called Group of Five conferences.

For those schools, the resource gap is nothing new. And they understood if their coach had success, they’d probably get poached by biggers schools offering to double or triple their salary.  

What administrators always banked on, though, was that a coach leaving for a more lucrative job only created a better candidate pool for the next search. It was a self-perpetuating incentive structure: Up-and-coming coaches saw the opportunity to win and get on the radar of the power conferences, it gave fans a reason to stay emotionally invested and it forced schools to invest as much as possible in football if they wanted to stay relevant. 

Within leagues like the Sun Belt and Mid-American Conference, which have a long track record of developing the game’s top coaches, some administrators can sense the ground shifting. Would a 38-year-old Nick Saban take the Toledo job in 2024, or would he be worried about getting stuck there like current coach Jason Candle, who is 43-19 in the MAC but hasn’t landed the power conference gig? 

Would a 36-year-old Urban Meyer have gone to Bowling Green if he had the chance today, or would he have stayed at Notre Dame rather than deal with the possibility that his roster would get decimated every year and ruin his chance of career advancement? 

We’ll never know. But the pool of coaches who want to learn and grow at that level seems to be shrinking. 

“The link between being able to be successful and people being able to tolerate the stress, the social media and the dynamics of alumni, donors and everything else you have to deal with, that has shrunk,” Troy athletics director Brent Jones said. “Then you remove transfer restrictions and add NIL on top of that, I think it has become untenable for some people to manage all those things.”

Again, there’s nuance and context to all of this. Linguist was 14-23 as the head coach at Buffalo and likely would have been on the hot seat next year. Getting a spot on new Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer’s staff was a career lifeline.

For Elliott, who had taken Georgia State to five bowl games in seven years, there were personal considerations in returning to South Carolina where he’d previously been an assistant. Even while coaching in Atlanta, his family remained three hours away in Columbia. But it’s also true that his $750,000 salary at South Carolina to be the tight ends coach is nearly identical to the $811,000 he made as Georgia State’s head coach. 

And Wommack, who previously made $810,000, not only got a huge raise to be Alabama’s coordinator (reportedly in the $2 million range) but is almost assuredly in better position to eventually become an SEC head coach than he was no matter how many games he won at South Alabama. And he was well on his way to building one of the best programs in the Sun Belt.

“It’s a watershed moment because here’s a guy winning 10, 11 games and saying, ‘You know what I’m out,’” said Northern Illinois athletics director Sean Frazier. “The reality is every coach wants to see an upward trajectory in their career, so if they’re in a situation where they win their conference and don’t get courted they may feel like they’re stuck.

“That’s probably the most powerful indictment about the Group of Five right now. If you’re a coordinator at Alabama or Florida or LSU it’s probably a better gig for you to be able to get that next big-time job. It’s an interesting debate. I’m coming to grips with it.”

As with every other major issue facing college athletics right now, the smaller conferences are mostly just along for the ride. Whatever system forms around paying athletes in a more organized way than what’s going on now, they’ll have to adapt if they want to remain under the same umbrella as the SEC and Big Ten. 

But for people like Saban, the frustrations of NIL and the transfer portal are inconvenient. For schools at the lower levels, it’s an existential test of their value in the ecosystem. 

Shortly after Kill’s departure from New Mexico State, as Moccia was reorganizing the program around new head coach Tony Sanchez, they promoted 33-year-old Ghaali Muhammad-Lankford to offensive coordinator. Moccia thought calling plays would put Muhammad-Lankford a huge step closer toward becoming a head coach himself. 

Three weeks later, he followed Kill to Vanderbilt as the running backs coach for more money but a lesser title at a program that is 9-27 under Lea. Moccia was floored.

“I’m not here to tell somebody not to take another $150,000 a year, but people used to make decisions more based on their career than the payday,” he said. “But it could be, ‘Hey I’m going to the SEC and that’s the big leagues and you guys are in the minors.’ But I’d argue, hey, Jim Harbaugh came from San Diego. All these coaches came from somewhere.”

None of this is going to go back to the way it was. If anything, all the changes on the horizon — College Football Playoff expansion, athlete employment, etc. — will stack the deck even higher in favor of the rich, powerful schools. 

But the idea of Group of Five programs as a proving ground to learn, make mistakes outside the spotlight and establish a coaching identity had real value. It wasn’t just a fun part of the sport to see a Western Michigan go on a magical run to the Cotton Bowl in 2016, it gave P.J. Fleck a platform to build his brand and let potential power conference employers like Minnesota see what kind of program he wanted to run. 

If Fleck got the Western Michigan job now, that 13-0 season may have never happened because a third of the team might have left two years earlier when they first began to have some success. 

That’s probably not a healthy development for anyone. 

“I think everybody looks at industry trends and says ‘OK, does this make me more hireable?’” said Jared Benko, who was second in command to the Mississippi State athletic director before taking the top job at Georgia Southern in 2020. “And there’s no right or wrong answer. I look at it as a continuum. When you think about our careers, I have a growth mindset. I know I could have stayed at Mississippi State, but I’ve grown exponentially over the last four years. When the buck stops with you, it’s different.”

It’s natural to look at what happened this offseason, though, and wonder if the challenges are becoming too great to overcome — and, by extension, to wonder if the SEC and Big Ten’s ability to offer coaches better money and fewer headaches will eventually crush conferences like the MAC and Sun Belt that have always offered entertaining, high-quality football.

If Congress is going to intervene somehow on behalf of college sports, that should be the focus — not whether a coach making $11 million a year is disheartened by players asking for more money. 

“We’re in a weird dynamic where colleges have to figure out what the future is going to look like, but we have to get our arms around this,” Jones said. “It’s unsustainable the way it is now, and people are going to eventually say ‘This is crazy. It makes zero sense so let me go make as much money as I can with better quality of life.’” 

The Indianapolis Colts have found Anthony Richardson’s next backup quarterback.

Indianapolis is signing Joe Flacco, the 2023 NFL Comeback Player of the Year, to a one-year deal, a league source told IndyStar on Wednesday night, reuniting Flacco with Shane Steichen after the two men spent the 2021 season together in Philadelphia. 

Flacco, 39, was a sensation in Cleveland last year, joining the Browns in the middle of the season and righting the ship for a team floundering after a season-ending injury to starter Deshaun Watson, leading the Browns to a 4-1 record and a playoff berth down the stretch. 

Gardner Minshew, who started 13 games last season for the Colts after Richardson opted for season-ending shoulder surgery, will join the Las Vegas Raiders as a free agent.

All things Colts: Latest Indianapolis Colts news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

PHOENIX – Milwaukee Brewers All-Star closer Devin Williams will miss significant time with a back injury. 

Williams was diagnosed with two stress fractures in his back during a trip to see a spine specialist in California on Tuesday and is expected to miss at least three months, a person with knowledge of the situation told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, part of the USA TODAY Network. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the situation publicly.

Williams pitched through back pain last September on his way to winning National League reliever of the year for the second time, and it flared up this spring, including during a rough outing last week. 

Williams traveled to California, where he saw Dr. Robert Watkins and was diagnosed with the stress fractures on Tuesday. 

All things Brewers: Latest Milwaukee Brewers news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

Williams was told by team doctors that there was no major injury, but with the discomfort Williams was in he sought a second opinion. Watkins saw the imaging initially and informed Williams it was likely a stress fracture but needed the right-hander to see him in California to confirm. 

What Watkins, a leading spine specialist, saw Tuesday when Williams came in was a pair of stress fractures.

The loss is a big blow to the Brewers, who saw Williams save 36 games with a 1.53 ERA last season. Williams, who also was named 2020 NL rookie of the year, earned the league’s top reliever award.

He pitched through discomfort late last season as the Brewers made a playoff push and ultimately won the National League Central Division before being eliminated in the wild card round. With rest in the offseason, the pain subsided but it began to flare back up as Williams ramped up this spring.

Regardless of the timeline of the injury, the Brewers will be left scrambling for a ninth-inning replacement. Joel Payamps and Abner Uribe are among the most obvious early candidates.

While there isn’t anyone with significant closing experience in the Milwaukee bullpen, the unit is considered a team strength heading into the year. Payamps, Uribe, Hoby Milner, Elvis Peguero, Bryse Wilson and Trevor Megill are all among the key returners from a bullpen that was second in earned run average in 2023.

Wednesday marks a significant point on the NFL calendar as the first official day of the new league year. All of those free-agent deals agreed to on the first and second day of the legal tampering period are set to become official at 4 p.m. ET – when trades can also be executed and all 32 teams must be in compliance with the $255.4 million salary cap for 2024.

Cowboys adding linebacker help

The Dallas Cowboys plan to sign ILB Eric Kendricks, whom ESPN previously reported was headed to the San Francisco 49ers, in what should be the defending NFC East champs’ first significant move of free agency. Kendricks, who was recently released by the Los Angeles Chargers, gets a one-year contract. A nine-year veteran who played the balance of his career with the Minnesota Vikings, for whom he was an All-Pro once, Kendricks has played in 132 NFL games and made more than 1,000 tackles.

NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.

Notoriously light at the second level last season, Dallas drops Kendricks into a defense that ranked 16th against the run in 2023 but was run over by the Green Bay Packers in a 48-32 wild-card walkover in January.

Colts signing QB Joe Flacco

Joe Flacco is returning to a backup role.

The 2023 NFL Comeback Player of the Year, who led the Cleveland Browns to the playoffs after belatedly taking over for injured starter Deshaun Watson, will join the Indianapolis Colts. Per ESPN, Flacco is set to sign a one-year deal worth up to $8.7 million, with $4.5 million guaranteed.

Flacco effectively replaces Gardner Minshew II, who signed with the Las Vegas Raiders after providing a Pro Bowl performance in Indy as the replacement for injured rookie Anthony Richardson. Now Flacco will provide insurance and wisdom to Richardson, the fourth overall pick of the 2023 draft who played in just four games before suffering a season-ending injury to his throwing shoulder.

Flacco, the Super Bowl 47 MVP for the Baltimore Ravens, has thrown for 43,936 yards and 245 TDs since entering the NFL in 2008. He passed for 1,616 yards and 13 touchdowns for Cleveland in five regular-season starts last season, winning four of them before the team was blown out in a wild-card loss at Houston.

Cardinals release D.J. Humphries, add Jonah Williams

The Arizona Cardinals are making a switch at left tackle.

The team announced the release of D.J. Humphries on Wednesday evening, a move that will save the club about $9 million in cap space. He has been the club’s primary left tackle since 2019 and could find a nice market for his services with teams like the New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs needing help at his position.

Meanwhile, per ESPN, Arizona is signing former Cincinnati Bengals OT Jonah Williams to a two-year, $30 million pact ($19 million guaranteed). He played on both the left and right side for Cincy. The Cards could also move Paris Johnson Jr., the sixth overall pick of the 2023 draft, to the left side – he played there at Ohio State – after he lined up as Arizona’s right tackle during his rookie campaign.

Bobby Wagner goes to Washington, reunites with Dan Quinn

Bobby Wagner is leaving Seattle again, agreeing to join the Washington Commanders on a one-year deal worth $6 million guaranteed that could kick up to $8.5 million, per NFL Network.

A six-time All-Pro and likely first-ballot Hall of Famer, Wagner reunites with new Washington coach Dan Quinn, previously his defensive coordinator during the Seattle Seahawks’ ‘Legion of Boom’ days. Wagner spent his first 10 seasons in the Pacific Northwest as a defensive linchpin who helped the franchise to two Super Bowls and its first Lombardi Trophy.

Wagner, who has never had fewer than 100 tackles in a season – he had a league-best 183 in 2023 – is still near the top of his game even as he approaches his 34th birthday. The Commanders will be his third team in three seasons after he played for the Los Angeles Rams in 2021 before returning to Seattle last year. His leadership should also be a key for a franchise in full-blown transition.

Raiders make several releases official

The Las Vegas Raiders on Wednesday officially parted with several former notable figures.

The Raiders announced the official release of quarterbacks Jimmy Garoppolo and Brian Hoyer, wide receiver Hunter Renfrow and defensive tackle Jerry Tillery.

Garoppolo’s release had been expected since he was suspended two games for violating the NFL’s PED policy, per multiple reports. The punishment voided the guaranteed money on Garoppolo’s deal.

Calvin Ridley surprises by going to Titans

Throughout the initial run of free agency, reports indicated that Calvin Ridley was likely to either stay with the Jacksonville Jaguars or join the New England Patriots.

Instead, the receiver had a surprise up his sleeve.

Ridley agreed on Wednesday agreed to a four-year, $92 million contract with the Tennessee Titans, according to multiple reports. The deal includes $50 million guaranteed.

With the agreement, Ridley becomes the ninth highest-paid receiver in the NFL at $23 million per season.

Ridley’s departure is a major hit for a Jaguars team that was pushing for his return. Jacksonville signed Gabe Davis to a three-year, $39 million in free agency, but Ridley led the team with 1,016 receiving yards last season. Davis, Christian Kirk and Evan Engram will now have to shoulder a heavier load to help Trevor Lawrence.

New England, meanwhile, also lost out on its top option to ‘weaponize the offense,’ a top goal of personnel chief Eliot Wolf. While the team re-signed tight end Hunter Henry and wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, it now has limited options for upgrading its receiving corps in free agency.

The Titans, however, used their sizable cap space to land a go-to target for second-year quarterback Will Levis. With the move, Tennessee could be more inclined to address its offensive line at the No. 7 overall pick in the draft.

Titans add ex-Steelers QB Mason Rudolph

With Russell Wilson joining the Pittsburgh Steelers, Mason Rudolph was left to evaluate other options in free agency.

The quarterback on Wednesday agreed to a one-year deal with the Tennessee Titans, according to multiple reports.

Rudolph, 28, started and won the final three games of the regular season for the Steelers, helping push the team to the playoffs. He remained in the role even after Kenny Pickett was healthy enough to return to the lineup.

In Tennessee, he will serve as the backup to second-year signal-caller. His arrival is another road block for Malik Willis, the 2022 third-round pick who has been buried on the depth chart.

Saints WR Michael Thomas now officially a free agent

The New Orleans Saints’ expected split with Michael Thomas is now official.

Thomas was released with a post-June 1 cut designation, according to multiple reports. The move allows the Saints to spread out a dead cap hit of $18 million.

Thomas, 31, has struggled to recapture anything close to his early-career form, when he was a three-time Pro Bowl selection and set the NFL record for receptions in a single season (149 in 2019). He had just 39 catches for 448 yards in 2023, posting a career-low 44.8 yards per game.

Chargers make anticipated cap cut by dropping Mike Williams

The Los Angeles Chargers finally made their long-awaited cost-saving move.

The team is releasing wide receiver Mike Williams, a person with knowledge of the deal told USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the move was not yet official.

Williams, who will turn 30 in October, is recovering from a torn ACL suffered in September. He was set to carry a $32.5 million salary cap hit in 2024, second only among wide receivers to teammate Keenan Allen.

Williams signed a three-year, $60 million contract two years ago after a career season in which he recorded 76 catches for 1,146 yards and nine touchdowns. But the cap-strapped Chargers had difficult decisions to make in order to become financially compliant by the 4 p.m. ET deadline, as Williams, Allen, Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa all were set to carry cap hits of more than $30 million for next season. Mack, however, agreed to a restructured deal with the team, according to Adam Schefter.

Eagles reward kicker Jake Elliott

The Philadelphia Eagles are making plenty of changes this offseason, but the team is keeping kicker Jake Elliott in place for the foreseeable future.

Elliott agreed to a four-year extension with the Eagles, the team announced. Per multiple reports, the deal is worth $24 million, which would put Elliott into a tie with the Baltimore Ravens’ Justin Tucker for the NFL’s highest-paid kicker.

Elliott, 29, converted a career-high 93.8% of his field goal attempts last season and missed just one of his 46 extra-point tries.

Niners boost defensive front, trade for DT Maliek Collins

The San Francisco 49ers continue to reshuffle their defensive front.

With the team expected to make official its impending release of defensive tackle Arik Armstead, San Francisco also on Wednesday agreed to acquire defensive tackle Maliek Collins from the Houston Texans in a trade, per reprorts. The Texans will receive a seventh-rounder back in the deal.

Collins, 28, started 16 games for the Texans last year and recorded five sacks. The Texans, however, have been active in reshaping their defensive front, bringing in Danielle Hunter, Folorunso Fatukasi and Denico Autry while losing edge rusher Jonathan Greenard to the Minnesota Vikings.

The 49ers are also facing change up front, too, with former Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Jordan Elliott agreeing to a two-year, $10 million deal. San Francisco also could lose defensive end Chase Young, who is expected to visit the New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers and Tennessee Titans, per multiple reports.

More help up front for Aaron Rodgers as Jets swing trade

The New York Jets are instituting a protection plan for Aaron Rodgers.

Two days after reaching a deal with former Baltimore Ravens offensive guard John Simpson, the Jets again looked to Baltimore’s line by swinging a trade for right tackle Morgan Moses, according to multiple reports.

Moses returns to the Jets after starting 16 games for the team in 2021.

Why hasn’t Calvin Ridley been signed yet?

The Jacksonville Jaguars wideout is one of the free agent outliers who hasn’t agreed to a new deal during the free agency tampering period, and maybe Ridley hasn’t received the offer he’s looking for yet.

However it must be noted there’s probably a good reason he hasn’t re-signed with the Jags, who would like to have him back. If Jacksonville re-signs Ridley before 4 p.m. ET today, the Jaguars would owe the Atlanta Falcons a second-round draft pick as a condition of the teams’ deal at the 2022 CQ trade deadline. If Ridley technically hits the open market after 4 p.m. and then re-ups with the Jags, they would only owe Atlanta a third-round selection.

Stay tuned on the status of a 29-year-old who’s arguably the best free agent available at this point of the process on the heels of a 76-catch, 1,016-yard, eight-TD season in 2023.

Ravens part with OLB Tyus Bowser

The Baltimore Ravens are parting with another notable figure on defense.

The team cut outside linebacker Tyus Bowser in a move that will save the team about $5.5 million in cap space.

Bowser was a second-round pick in 2017 and started 17 games in 2021, when he notched seven sacks. But he missed all of last season with a knee injury and played in just nine games the previous year.

The Ravens have already lost linebacker Patrick Queen to the Pittsburgh Steelers and safety Geno Stone to the Cincinnati Bengals, while outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney remains a free agent.

Bills fill a hole at WR

The Buffalo Bills have added to their receiving corps after losing Gabe Davis to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The team agreed to a one-year, $3 million deal with former Atlanta Falcons receiver Mack Hollins, according to multiple reports.

Hollins, 30, had just 18 catches for 251 yards last season in a run-heavy Falcons offense.

But the 6-4, 221-pounder gives Josh Allen a big-bodied red-zone target who will pair with Stefon Diggs on the outside while allowing Khalil Shakir to stay in the slot. And at $3 million, he comes at a far lower price for the cap-strapped Bills than Davis, who agreed to a three-year, $39 million deal with the Jaguars.

Which prominent free agents remain on the market?

Former Dallas Cowboys LT Tyron Smith, Jacksonville Jaguars WR Calvin Ridley and Denver Broncos FS Justin Simmons are among the top players who have not agreed to new deals. Simmons, who was recently released, is eligible to sign anywhere immediately.

Raiders to cut former Pro Bowler, save money

Per NFL Network, the Las Vegas Raiders will cut WR Hunter Renfrow on Wednesday, a move that will save them about $8.2 million against the cap. Used sparingly in the offense since being a Pro Bowler in 2021 (103 catches for 1,038 yards and 9 TDs), Renfrow has just 61 receptions since and did not find the end zone once in 2023.

It is also expected that QB Jimmy Garoppolo will be released if no one takes him in a trade. He signed a three-year, $72.8 million deal a year ago. Parting with him now will save the Raiders $11.3 million this year.

Which teams are still having cap issues?

Per Over The Cap, as of early Wednesday morning, only three teams are not yet in compliance with this year’s $255.4 million salary cap. The Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills only need to make minor adjustments before the 4 p.m. ET deadline.

However the Los Angeles Chargers still need to clear approximately $25 million. They currently have four players – WRs Keenan Allen and Mike Williams and OLBs Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa – with 2024 cap hits in excess of $30 million, all of them but Bosa headed into the final season of their current contracts. QB Justin Herbert and SS Derwin James both approach $20 million for 2024 and could be candidates for restructures.

What’s going on with the Dallas Cowboys?

‘America’s Team’ has been among the quietest during the early part of free agency, losing several starters (RB Tony Pollard, C Tyler Biadasz, DE Dorance Armstrong) who have yet to be replaced in a meaningful way.

The major issue is QB Dak Prescott, who has a $59 million cap hit heading into the final year of his contract, which also stipulates he cannot be franchised next year and carries a no-trade clause. Prescott is owed a $5 million roster bonus next week and a $29 million base salary in 2024.

Elsewhere, All-Pro WR CeeDee Lamb is headed into the final year of his rookie contract, and All-Pro LB Micah Parsons is eligible for an extension for the first time. A lot of in-house business for Jerry Jones and Co. to consider in addition to eyeing new players for the roster.

Why are some free agents already signing deals?

The tampering window is open, however some players have already switched teams. Why?

In the case of S Kevin Byard, who reportedly agreed to a two-year deal with the Chicago Bears prior to Monday, for example, the Philadelphia Eagles terminated his contract early. That made Byard a ‘street free agent’ and thus eligible to sign elsewhere immediately as opposed to waiting for Wednesday. Former Denver Broncos Pro Bowl FS Justin Simmons is in a similar situation, already eligible to join another club.

Early termination of contracts not only kickstarts the process of clearing cap space, but it’s often a sign of good faith as clubs give veterans a head start on the free agent process.

In the case of QB Russell Wilson, he can’t officially sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers until later this week as the Broncos have only announced his impending release, but it’s not yet official.