A lawsuit was filed accusing a woman of making a false sexual assault accusation against Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott in an effort to extort $100 million from him.

According to documents obtained by USA TODAY Sports, the lawsuit was filed in Collin County, Texas, and details the alleged extortion attempt by Victoria Baileigh Shores and her lawyers, Bethel T. Zehaie and Yoel T. Zehaie.

The demand letter from Shores’ lawyers was sent Jan. 16.

‘Ms. Shores has had to live with this pain and trauma for 7 years. It affected her relationship with her fiancé and her everyday existence so much that she had to attend therapy and counseling and will require future therapy and counseling,’ the letter says. ‘She has suffered mental anguish that is unimaginable dealing with the trauma of being a sexual assault of victim. Despite the tragic events, she is willing to forego pursuing criminal charges, along with disclosing this information to the public, in exchange for compensating her for the mental anguish she has suffered. Ms. Shores’s damages are valued at the sum of $100,000,000.00. You have until February 16, 2024, to respond to this demand letter.’

Prescott filed the lawsuit under his legal name Rayne Dakota Prescott.

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‘Mr. Prescott – a new father to a baby girl – has great empathy for survivors of sexual assault. He fervently believes that all perpetrators of such crimes should be punished to the fullest extent of the law,’ Prescott’s lawyer Levi McCathern said in a statement. ‘To be clear, Mr. Prescott has never engaged in any nonconsensual, sexual conduct with anyone. Lies hurt. Especially, malicious lies. We will not allow the Defendant and her legal team to profit from this attempt to extort millions from Mr. Prescott.’

The statement also said that Prescott has reported the attempted extortion to the appropriate authorities and will continue to cooperate fully in their investigation.

According to the lawsuit, Prescott’s representative received correspondence from Shores and her lawyers Feb. 13 saying that Prescott sexually assaulted her and demanded the Pro Bowl quarterback pay $100 million in exchange for not going to the authorities and pressing charges.

Shores claims the assault happened around February 2, 2017, at the end of Prescott’s rookie season.

‘At the time of the alleged assault, Mr. Prescott was single, and in fact, the timeline of events and Defendant Shores’s actions in the seven years since the alleged assault are consistent with being involved with only consensual actions with Mr. Prescott,’ the lawsuit says.

Prescott, 30, who led the NFL in touchdown passes in 2023 and was second in the MVP voting, is a three-time Pro Bowl selection and is in the final season of a four-year, $160 million deal. He also won the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year in 2022.

NFL free agency started Monday with a flurry of deals – even if nothing is set to become official until Wednesday, which marks the start of the new league year.

But Monday at noon marked the opening of the negotiating period or ‘legal tampering window, during which impending free agents are allowed to contact and enter into negotiations with teams. And if history is any indicator, it won’t take long for deals to start flying, as some of the biggest names set to hit the market won’t last long before they come to terms with their new team.

Vikings set to sign QB Sam Darnold

The Minnesota Vikings appear to have their contingency plan after losing Kirk Cousins to the Atlanta Falcons.

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Sam Darnold is set to join the team on a one-year deal worth $10 million, according to multiple reports.

The move could mark Darnold’s possible return to starting status after the former New York Jets and Carolina Panthers quarterback spent last season as a backup for the San Francisco 49ers. With the Vikings potentially in the market for a rookie signal-caller, Darnold could serve as a bridge starter.

Jets add backup QB

Woody Johnson got his wish.

The New York Jets have their backup quarterback to serve as insurance behind Aaron Rodgers, as the team reached a two-year deal worth up to $18 million with veteran signal-caller Tyrod Taylor, according to multiple reports.

Johnson had made clear that his team needed to bring on a stable No. 2 after the Jets’ season was undone by poor quarterback play. The team has also given Zach Wilson permission to seek a trade.

Taylor stepped in to start five games for the New York Giants last season, throwing for 1,341 yards and five touchdowns.

Panthers continue to overhaul interior offensive line

Many assumed that the Carolina Panthers’ focus this offseason would be at wide receiver as the team tries to boost the supporting cast for No. 1 pick Bryce Young. Instead, the team has made it clear that the interior line needed to be upgraded.

Hours after the team reached a five-year, $100 million deal with offensive guard Robert Hunt, the Panthers also came to an agreement on a four-year, $53 million contract with Carolina.

The moves give some semblance of consistency to a front that used 11 different combinations of starting offensive linemen last season. Young had the second-most sacks of any quarterback (62) last season, and the additions of Hunt and Lewis – along with a potential move to center for Austin Corbett – could help provide a more stable pocket for the signal-caller.

Jets add more help for Aaron Rodgers

The New York Jets are still formulating a full-fledged protection plan for Aaron Rodgers, but the team added a key piece to its front.

Former Baltimore Ravens offensive guard John Simpson agreed to a two-year deal with the Jets worth $18 million, according to multiple reports.

Simpson, 26, was a fourth-round pick out of Clemson by the Raiders in 2020 but was waived by the team in 2022. He latched on with the Ravens and managed to secure a starting spot last season, helping pave the way for the league’s top-ranked rushing attack.

Bengals releasing RB Joe Mixon, to sign RB Zack Moss

The Cincinnati Bengals shook up their running back room on the first day of free agency.

On Monday night, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo reported that the franchise released Pro Bowler Joe Mixon.

The running back spent seven seasons with the Bengals after they picked him up in the second round of the 2017 NFL draft. He had four 1,000-yard seasons, including last year when he racked up 1,034 yards and nine touchdowns. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2021 after having a 1,205-yard season with 13 touchdowns.

Seahawks re-sign DL Leonard Williams

After surrendering a second-round pick for versatile D-lineman Leonard Williams at last year’s trade deadline, the Seattle Seahawks are making him more than a half-season rental.

Williams, a nine-year veteran comfortable in even and odd fronts who is adept both as a run stuffer and pass rusher, gets a three-year deal worth $64.5 million (per multiple reports) to stay in the Pacific Northwest with new coach Mike Macdonald. Williams played 18 games, split between the Giants and Seahawks, in 2023, finishing with 5½ sacks and 23 pressures.

Patriots add a quarterback

A day after agreeing to trade Mac Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars, the New England Patriots are backfilling their quarterback room with a familiar face.

Jacoby Brissett, who launched his itinerant NFL career in Foxborough in 2016, will return on a one-year, $8 million deal, per NFL Network. He’ll join a roster where Bailey Zappe and Nathan Rourke are currently the only other QBs. Of course, New England owns the third overall pick of the 2024 draft, and Jones’ departure could be a major signal that new personnel boss Eliot Wolf intends to pick a passer.

In 48 career starts, Brissett is 18-30, though he didn’t start for Washington in 2023. He has 10,574 career passing yards and 51 touchdowns. The Patriots traded him to the Indianapolis Colts before the start of the 2017 season.

Seahawks re-sign TE Noah Fant

Amid what has been an expectedly quiet start to free agency for the Seattle Seahawks, general manager John Schneider and Co. have made their first significant move.

Tight end Noah Fant is re-signing with the team on a two-year, $21 million contract, according to multiple reports.

Fant, 26, was one of the pieces the Seahawks received in the Russell Wilson trade with the Denver Broncos. He has not reached 500 receiving yards in either of his seasons in Seattle, but he could be in for a more significant role under first-year head coach Mike Macdonald after Will Dissly was cut and Colby Parkinson departed for the Los Angeles Rams in free agency.

Texans poach former Titans LB

Linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair will not be coming back for a second season with the Tennessee Titans but, like one of his former Titans teammates, he isn’t going far.

Al-Shaair is expected to sign with the Houston Texans in NFL free agency, per NFL Network and The Athletic. Al-Shaair led the Titans and finished fifth in the NFL with 163 combined tackles in 2023, his first season with the franchise. Al-Shaair came to Nashville after spending his first four professional seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, but Al-Shaair made nearly as many tackles in his first season with the Titans as he did in his previous four combined. In addition to his 163 tackles, Al-Shaair also logged two sacks, nine tackles for loss and four pass breakups.

Al-Shaair is the second Titans defender who’s reportedly defected to the division rival Texans on Monday. Defensive lineman Denico Autry has also reportedly agreed to terms with Houston. Al-Shaair played for Texans coach DeMeco Ryans when Ryans was the defensive coordinator in San Francisco.

– Nick Suss, The Tennessean

Michael Onwenu re-ups with Patriots

The New England Patriots are keeping one of their offensive staples in place.

Offensive lineman Michael Onwenu is re-signing with the team on a three-year, $57 million contract, according to NFL Network.

Onwenu has proven to be a versatile and reliable piece along the Patriots’ front, seeing time both at guard and offensive tackle. At 26, he was expected to be one of the most highly sought-after blockers in free agency.

Austin Ekeler finds landing spot with Commanders

Last offseason, Austin Ekeler organized a Zoom meeting among the NFL’s best running backs to discuss their sunken market in recent years. 

So it was fitting Ekeler signed his new deal on a day several other notable backs found new homes. 

The Washington Commanders and Ekeler agreed to a two-year deal, according to multiple reports. Per NFL Network, it is worth up to $11.43 million. 

In Washington, Ekeler will once again play for his former head coach with the Los Angeles Chargers, Anthony Lynn, who is the team’s running backs coach. He’ll also join a backfield that includes Brian Robinson Jr.

Ekeler, 28, has never eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark but scored 25 touchdowns between the 2021 and 2022 regular seasons before injuries, a career-worst 3.5 yards per carry and overall Chargers dysfunction marred the 2023 campaign. 

The Commanders are quickly spending their way through the $96 million in cap space they had entering free agency. 

Giants land star pass rusher Brian Burns in trade

On a day when the New York Giants lost one star player in Saquon Barkley, the team now is set to welcome another.

The Giants agreed to a trade with the Carolina Panthers for Brian Burns, according to multiple reports. The Panthers will receive second- and fifth-round picks in the deal, per reports. Meanwhile, Burns landed a five-year, $150 million extension as part of the swap. That deal leaves him behind only the San Francisco 49ers’ Nick Bosa for the title of highest-paid edge rusher.

Burns, who turns 26 next month, had been seeking a long-term deal but had not received one, instead getting the franchise tag from the Panthers earlier in March.

A two-time Pro Bowl selection, Burns has recorded 46 sacks in five seasons. In New York, he joins a defensive front that includes two-time Pro Bowler Dexter Lawrence and edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux, who notched 11½ sacks last season.

Lions trade for CB Carlton Davis in deal with Bucs

To address a problem area at cornerback, the Detroit Lions looked to the trade market rather than free agency or the draft.

The Lions are acquiring Carlton Davis from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to multiple reports. The Buccaneers will receive the Lions’ 2024 third-round pick while the Lions will also get two sixth-round picks as part of the deal.

Davis, 27, has been a staple of the Buccaneers’ defense since he was selected in the second round out of Auburn in the 2018 NFL draft. He is in the final year of his contract and due a base salary of $14 million.

The move serves as the first major personnel loss for the Buccaneers after the team re-signed Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans and franchise-tagged Antoine Winfield Jr.

Gardner Minshew on the move

The Las Vegas Raiders have added another quarterback to the mix, agreeing to a two-year, $25 million deal, per multiple reports, with Pro Bowler Gardner Minshew II.

Minshew went 7-6 in 13 starts last season for the Indianapolis Colts, passing for 3,305 yards and 15 TDs in an offense that skewed run-heavy.

At the moment, it appears he’ll compete with Aidan O’Connell and Jimmy Garoppolo in Sin City, though it appears the latter is likely on his way out of town. The Silver and Black are also currently slotted 13th in the draft and could target a younger, longer-term passer.

Geno Stone joins Ravens’ AFC North rival

Geno Stone’s breakout season has led him to one of the Baltimore Ravens’ rivals.

The safety agreed to a two-year, $15 million contract with the Cincinnati Bengals, according to multiple reports.

A seventh-round pick in 2020, Stone seized on his opportunity this season by recording seven interceptions.

Ex-Ravens RB Gus Edwards teams up with Jim Harbaugh

The “Gus Bus” route evidently runs from Harbaugh to Harbaugh. 

Former Baltimore Ravens running back Gus Edwards reached an agreement with the Los Angeles Chargers on a two-year deal, according to ESPN. 

With the Chargers, Edwards will be reunited with offensive coordinator Greg Roman and will play for head coach Jim Harbaugh after playing for John Harbaugh in Baltimore from 2018-2023. 

Edwards, who will be 29 next month, saw the most action of his professional career last season as the Ravens did not have a primary back once J.K. Dobbins went down with a season-ending injury. 

Edwards missed the entire 2021 season with a torn ACL he suffered in practice.

Giants fill running back void with a veteran

The New York Giants are moving on after Saquon Barkley’s departure to the rival Philadelphia Eagles.

The team agreed to a three-year, $16.5 million with Devin Singletary, according to multiple reports.

Singletary, 26, had career highs in both rushing yards (898) and carries (216) after taking over the lead back role from Dameon Pierce.

Packers get their big-name safety in Xavier McKinney

The Green Bay Packers have made another significant foray into free agency with a major name.

McKinney, 24, was viewed by many as the top free-agent safety available in a crowded market at the position. Despite the ample supply, McKinney was able to net a deal near the top of the market, as only Derwin James, Minkah Fitzpatrick and franchise-tagged Antoine Winfield Jr. are set to have higher annual average values at the position.

McKinney adds instant stability to the back end of a defense that is in transition under new coordinator Jeff Hafley. Darnell Savage Jr. agreed to a deal earlier Monday with the Jacksonville Jaguars, and Jonathan Owens and Rudy Ford are both free agents.

Patriots to release WR DeVante Parker

The expected overhaul of the Patriots’ receiving corps is underway.

The team will release veteran wideout DeVante Parker, according to multiple reports.

Parker, 31, agreed to a three-year extension with the team last June. But he recorded just 33 catches for 394 yards as he struggled to gain consistent separation.

Robert Hunt reels in five-year, $100 million contract from Panthers

Robert Hunt wasn’t widely considered a candidate to land a nine-figure contract.

But amid a booming market for offensive guards, the former Miami Dolphins standout secured a five-year, $100 million contract from the Carolina Panthers, according to multiple reports.

His addition serves as a substantial investment by new general manager Dan Morgan in protecting No. 1 pick Bryce Young, whose 62 sacks trailed only the Washington Commanders’ Sam Howell for most in the league.

Vikings keep adding to defense with LB homecoming

The Vikings continue to add to their defense on the first day of free agency, this time bringing aboard former Houston Texans linebacker Blake Cashman on a three-year, $25.5 million contract, according to multiple reports.

Cashman, who turns 28 in May, is a native of Eden Prairie, Minnesota. He recorded 106 tackles last season.

He stands as the latest defensive imports after the team also reached deals with Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel earlier in the day.

Vikings land another pass rusher in Andrew Van Ginkel

Edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel, one of the most productive late-round picks in recent memory for the Miami Dolphins, is finally cashing in, accepting a two-year deal Monday to join the Minnesota Vikings.

ESPN reported that Van Ginkel’s deal is worth $20 million, with $14 million guaranteed.

Van Ginkel was drafted in the fifth round in 2019, 151st overall, but is coming off a final season in Miami in which he graded as the NFL’s seventh-best edge defender, according to Pro Football Focus.

Van Ginkel proved to be a bargain for the Dolphins, not only in the low draft pick they spent on him, but in paying him $7.9 million over his five seasons. All the while, he earned respect as the personification of a lunchpail-type player.

He joins a new-look Vikings edge rush led by Jonathan Greenard, who agreed to terms with Minnesota earlier in the day.

– Hal Habib, Palm Beach Post

Saquon Barkley leaves Giants to link up with Eagles

Since the New York Giants took him with the No. 2 overall pick of the 2018 NFL draft, Saquon Barkley maintained a public position that he wanted to spend his entire career with the team.

He’ll see them on the opposing sideline twice a year now instead.

Barkley and the Philadelphia Eagles agreed to a three-year, $37.75 million contract that could be worth up to $46.75M and includes $26M fully guaranteed, a person with knowledge of the deal told USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to disclose terms of the deal.

ESPN was first to report the agreement.

The two-time Pro Bowl back will remain in the NFC East and will go closer to where he played collegiately at Penn State.

Barkley joins Philadelphia as a rare big-money running back for a franchise that has typically avoided them under executive vice president and general manager Howie Roseman’s watch.

Earlier Monday, former Eagles running back D’Andre Swift signed a three-year deal with the Chicago Bears.

Josh Jacobs in, Aaron Jones out for Packers

Josh Jacobs’ payday did not come in Sin City. Instead, he’ll head to the Green Bay Packers to cash out.

The former Las Vegas Raiders running back agreed to an undisclosed deal with the team, according to multiple reports.

As a result of the move, lead back Aaron Jones will be released, according to multiple reports. His former backfield partner AJ Dillon became a free agent this offseason.

Jacobs led the league in rushing in 2022 and racked up 393 touches in the process while earning first-team All-Pro honors. After that season, the Raiders placed the franchise tag on Jacobs, who held out until close to the start of the season; the two sides eventually agreed on a one-year deal worth almost $12 million.

Kirk Cousins chooses Falcons over Vikings

Kirk Cousins is leaving the Minnesota Vikings for the Atlanta Falcons, bringing an end to his six-year run with the franchise and drastically altering the short-term outlook for two NFC playoff hopefuls.

The veteran quarterback agreed to terms on a four-year deal with the Falcons, his agent Mike McCartney confirmed Monday.

With Cousins not re-signing with the Vikings prior to the expiration of his contract on March 13, the Vikings will now incur a $28.5 million dead cap hit for 2024.

The four-time Pro Bowl selection steps in as the long-awaited answer for a franchise that has been dogged by poor play behind center ever since trading organizational mainstay Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts two years ago. In 2022, Marcus Mariota was benched late in the season for rookie Desmond Ridder. Rather than pursue Lamar Jackson or another established veteran passer, the Falcons opted to stand behind Ridder as their starter for 2023. But his spate of turnovers and red zone woes led to a late-season benching, and coach Arthur Smith was fired after a third consecutive 7-10 season.

Said new coach Raheem Morris at the NFL scouting combine: ‘If we had better quarterback play, I’m probably not standing here at this podium.’

Eagles add intrigue to pass-rush group with Bryce Huff

One pass rusher in, another out?

That could be the eventual upshot for the Philadelphia Eagles after they agreed Monday on a three-year, $51.1 million contract with Bryce Huff.

An undrafted free agent out of Memphis in 2020, Huff latched on with the Jets and broke out last season as a designated pass rusher, tallying 10 sacks despite playing in just 42% of the team’s defensive snaps. Huff proved to be a remarkably efficient threat, ranking eighth in pass-rush win rate among all edge rushers, according to ESPN. But he also benefited from being kept fresh with little work on run downs.

He joins a deep pass-rushing group that includes Haason Reddick, Josh Sweat, Brandon Graham and 2023 first-round pick Nolan Smith. His arrival could signal a possible trade for either Reddick or Sweat.

Rams bolster line with Jonah Jackson 

The interior of the offensive line was clearly a priority for the Los Angeles Rams.

After re-signing guard Kevin Dotson last week, the Rams signed guard Jonah Jackson to a three-year, $51 million deal with $34 million guaranteed. 

Jackson, 27, was with the Detroit Lions for the first four seasons of his career. He made the Pro Bowl in 2021.

Dan Quinn brings over two former Cowboys player to Commanders

The Dallas Cowboys to Washington Commanders pipeline expanded during the first hours of free agency. 

In addition to new head coach Dan Quinn, most recently the defensive coordinator for his former NFC East rival, the Commanders agreed to terms on deals with center Tyler Biadasz and defensive end Dorance Armstrong Jr. 

Armstrong enjoyed the most productive seasons of his career in 2022 and 2023 with a combined 16 sacks. 

Biadasz made the Pro Bowl in 2022 and was a three-year starter for Dallas. 

Washington entered free agency with by far the most cap space in the league at $96 million, giving first-year general manager Adam Peters the capacity to rebuild the roster. 

Raiders shake up NFL free agency with Christian Wilkins deal

The Las Vegas Raiders announced themselves as a major player in free agency on Monday by agreeing to terms on a four-year, $110 million contract with former Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Christian Wilkins.

The deal also includes $84.75 million guaranteed.

That payout puts Wilkins behind only the Kansas City Chiefs’ Chris Jones and the Los Angeles Rams’ Aaron Donald in a booming defensive tackle market. Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, for example, never hit free agency but last week agreed to a four-year, $98 million contract after receiving the franchise tag.

In Las Vegas, Wilkins will make for a formidable inside-outside tandem with three-time Pro Bowl defensive end Maxx Crosby. Tyree Wilson, the No. 7 overall pick in 2023, is also looking to make a leap after recorded 3 ½ sacks as a rookie.

Jaguars add a target in WR Gabe Davis

The Jacksonville Jaguars and wide receiver Gabe Davis have agreed to terms on a three-year deal worth $39 million, according to multiple reports.

Davis spent the first four seasons of his career with the Buffalo Bills, the team that drafted him in the fourth round in 2020. He had 27 touchdowns in the regular season during that time and became the de facto No. 2 wide receiver behind Stefon Diggs for quarterback Josh Allen. While he delivered splash plays as a downfield target, averaging 16.7 yards per catch, he struggled with consistency and was held without a catch in five games last season.

The Jaguars still face an uncertain future with top wide receiver Calvin Ridley, who is set to become a free agent after leading the team with 1,016 receiving yards after his first season back from a one-year gambling ban. The Athletic’s Jeff Howe reported Jacksonville still hopes to bring back Ridley, but there could be strong competition for the receiver, especially given the shortage of top-tier pass catchers on the open market.

Titans continue to build up front with Lloyd Cushenberry

Tennessee Titans general manager Ran Carthon has made it known he wants to fortify his team’s offensive line. In free agency, he took a significant step toward that goal.

Lloyd Cushenberry, widely considered the top center available, agreed to a deal with the team on Monday, according to multiple reports.

Cushenberry should step in alongside 2023 first-round pick Peter Skoronski to help stabilize the interior for second-year quarterback Will Levis. With the No. 7 pick in this year’s draft, the Titans still could be in the market for their left tackle of the future.

David Bakhtiari out in Green Bay

It was a move that appeared inevitable for some time, but David Bahktiari’s time with the Packers finally appears to be over.

The 32-year-old left tackle posted his farewell on social media amid his expected release.

A two-time All-Pro, Bakhtiari has played just 13 games in the last three seasons – including one last year – while dealing with lingering knee issues. His $40 million cap hit for 2024 was set to be the largest of any non-quarterback.

Now, could a reunion with Aaron Rodgers be in the cards given the Jets’ need for a blind-side protector?

Tony Pollard to Titans

The running back market is quickly coming into focus, Tony Pollard set to join the Tennessee Titans shortly after the Chicago Bears and D’Andre Swift struck a deal. Pollard’s move to Nashville all but officially brings an end to Derrick Henry’s momentous tenure – his 9,502 rushing yards the most ever by a Titan (though ex-Oiler/Titan Eddie George is the franchise’s all-time leading rusher by 507 yards).

Pollard, whose move was first reported by KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson, had more than 1,300 yards from scrimmage each of the past two seasons for the Dallas Cowboys. However his yards per touch dipped by 1.6 in 2023, when he played on the franchise tag as the lead back following the departure of Ezekiel Elliott. Pollard will now team with Tyjae Spears (838 yards in 2023) in Tennessee.

Jonathan Greenard links up with Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings faced a potential exodus from an already suspect pass rush. Now, they have wrapped up one of the top edge threats on the market.

Jonathan Greenard agreed to a four-year, $76 million deal with the team Monday, his agent told ESPN.

Greenard, who turns 27 in May, had a breakout season last year for the Houston Texans, racking up 12 ½ sacks opposite Defensive Rookie of the Year Will Anderson Jr.

In Minnesota, he’ll play a vital role in Brian Flores’ blitz-happy defense, which looks set to lose standout edge rusher Danielle Hunter. Marcus Davenport and D.J. Wonnum are also on track to be free agents.

D’Andre Swift bolts to Bears on three-year contract

The first big domino of NFL free agency has fallen.

Former Philadelphia Eagles running back D’Andre Swift agreed to a three-year, $24.5 million deal with the Chicago Bears, according to NFL Network.

Swift, 25, should take on a leading role in a Bears backfield that also returns Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson. After being acquired by the Eagles via trade last offseason, Swift tallied career highs of 229 carries and 1,049 rushing yards.

Chicago could be in for a nearly full-scale skill-position overhaul outside of wide receiver DJ Moore, as the team is expected to select Caleb Williams No. 1 overall in the NFL draft and could be in the market for another wideout with the No. 9 pick.

Swift’s departure creates more uncertainty for the Eagles, who could be involved in the market for Saquon Barkley.

Michael Pittman Jr. gets a long-term deal with Colts

Add Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. to the growing list of franchise-tagged players who won’t be playing on the one-year tender in 2024 after getting a long-term deal completed.

Pittman and the Colts agreed to a three-year, $70 million contract, according to multiple reports.

The agreement keeps in place the top target for Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson. Pittman recorded 109 catches for 1,152 receiving yards last season.

Kickers not getting the boot

A couple of specialists are staying home rather than test the free agent market.

Per NFL Network, the New York Jets are re-signing K Greg Zuerlein, arguably their most valuable player in 2023, to a  two-year contract worth $8.4 million. The veteran connected on 35 of 38 field-goal tries in 2023, one of the best seasons of his 12-year career.

Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers remain in run-it-back mode, reaching a three-year agreement to retain K Chase McLaughlin a day after keeping QB Baker Mayfield in the building. McLaughlin was 29-of-31 in the FG department for the 2023 NFC South champs and hit all 33 of his extra-point tries.

Eagles extend Landon Dickerson

The Philadelphia Eagles’ offensive line will look different next season without Jason Kelce, but the organization is bringing back a key part of the interior. 

Left guard Landon Dickerson agreed to a four-year extension, the Eagles announced Monday. 

According to NFL Media, the deal is worth $84 million in base salary with $50 million guaranteed and a $20 million signing bonus. The $21 million annual average value is the highest for a guard in NFL history. The Atlanta Falcons’ Chris Lindstrom previously held the title.

Dickerson, 25, has been the Eagles’ starter at left guard since Week 3 of the 2021 season, his rookie year. He is a back-to-back Pro Bowl selection and one of the key pieces behind the efficiency and success of the Eagles’ patented “Tush Push” short-yardage run play. 

The Eagles selected Dickerson, who started his college career at Florida State before transferring to Alabama, in the second round (37th overall) of the 2021 draft. 

Jaguars add Pro Bowler to offensive line

After a season in which QB Trevor Lawrence was consistently beaten up physically, the Jacksonville Jaguars have already made a move to upgrade their O-line. Per NFL Network, C Mitch Morse – another ‘street free agent’ after getting released by the Buffalo Bills last week – has agreed to a two-year, $10.5 million deal ($7 million guaranteed). The 2022 Pro Bowler will likely displace Luke Fortner, the Jags’ starting center the past two seasons.

Tee Higgins landing spots: Which teams could be interested in Bengals WR?

Maybe the Bengals won’t be running back their receiving corps after all.

Franchise-tagged wide receiver Tee Higgins is requesting a trade amid frustration with the team regarding the lack of progress toward a long-term contract, a person with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon. The person spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation.

ESPN was first to report the news.

Higgins, 25, would immediately become the best wide receiver that could be within teams’ reach – although at a potentially significant cost. Beyond what a team would have to give up in compensation in order to sway the Bengals to part with arguably the league’s top No. 2 receiver, a franchise would need to cough up a significant contract amid a booming receiver market.

Still, several teams could be potential buyers. Among them:

Carolina Panthers: Their interest in finding top-tier pass-catching help is well-established, and there’s likely no bigger instant-impact contributor available than the Clemson product. Strong chance that the Panthers are looking for a receiver when they’re first up with the initial pick of the second round.
Tennessee Titans: Homecoming time for the Oak Ridge, Tennessee, native? Outside of 31-year-old DeAndre Hopkins, the receiving corps behind Will Levis is severely underwhelming. Higgins could form a dynamic downfield connection with Levis, and the Titans have ample cap space to swing such a move.
New England Patriots: Eliot Wolf spoke of the need to ‘weaponize the offense.’ Well, here you go. No better quick fix for a team that has been woefully lacking in support for its quarterback, and Higgins would be a major asset to any young passer who takes the reins behind center. And a big-money deal isn’t a problem for a team that enters Monday with the second-most cap space (more than $82 million) at its disposal.

Why are some free agents already signing deals?

The tampering window doesn’t open until noon ET, however some players have already switched teams. Why?

In the case of S Kevin Byard, who’s already reportedly agreed to a two-year deal with the Chicago Bears, 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.

Colts bring back LB Zaire Franklin

INDIANAPOLIS — The first move the Colts made in free agency this offseason was one they did not have to make.

But it was a chance to reward a player who has outplayed the last deal he signed by leaps and bounds.

Indianapolis signed middle linebacker Zaire Franklin to a three-year extension, a person with knowledge of the situation told IndyStar and the USA TODAY Network on Monday morning. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they had not been authorized to disclose the deal, which is worth up to $31.3 million.

Franklin signed a three-year, $10 million deal in free agency two years ago, a deal that reflected his place at the time as a critical special teamer and rotational linebacker, and he was headed into the final year of that deal in 2024, a deal that would have paid him more than $3 million this season.

He has been a tackling machine the past two seasons, breaking the Indianapolis record with 167 tackles in his first season as a full-time starter, then setting a new bar again in 2023 by piling up 179 tackles. Franklin also has 4.5 sacks and 12 passes defended over the past two seasons.

– Joel A. Erickson, Indianapolis Star

Lions solidify interior line with Graham Glasgow

The Detroit Lions will keep at least one of their starting guards in 2024.

The Lions and veteran offensive lineman Graham Glasgow agreed to a new three-year contract worth a maximum of $20 million before the start of the free agent negotiating period Monday. The deal, which is still being finalized, includes $9.5 million guaranteed.

Originally a third-round pick by the Lions in 2016, Glasgow returned to the team on a one-year deal last spring after spending the previous three seasons with the Denver Broncos. He started games at both guard spots and center last year and was one of the Lions’ most consistent linemen.

Glasgow ranked second in the NFL in run block win rate among interior lineman in 2023, according to ESPN, and allowed four sacks last season according to the Free Press’ charting of plays.

Russell Wilson to sign with Steelers

Six days proved to be enough for Russell Wilson to find his landing spot.

After the Denver Broncos revealed last Monday their intention to cut Wilson after the start of the new league year on Wednesday, the nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback met with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday. By Sunday night, reports emerged that Wilson was planning to sign with the Steelers, with the signal-caller seemingly confirming the news on social media.

Wilson’s addition adds immediate intrigue for a Steelers offense already undergoing changes with the arrival of new coordinator Arthur Smith. While both coach Mike Tomlin and general manager Omar Khan have backed incumbent starter Kenny Pickett, each stated their desire to bring in competition ahead of the former first-round draft pick’s third season.

The move comes at little cost to the Steelers, as Wilson was due $39 million guaranteed from the Broncos.

While starting is hardly a given for Wilson, the opportunity seemingly stands out as the 12-year veteran’s best chance to push for playing time – and on a team that has never had a losing season in Tomlin’s 17 years at the helm.

Arik Armstead set to hit NFL free agency as a cut

In an offseason in which the San Francisco 49ers look to be bringing back a sizable number of their key contributors from last year’s Super Bowl team, at least one piece will be headed elsewhere.

Defensive lineman Arik Armstead was unable to agree to a restructured contract with the team and is now expected to be released, according to multiple reports.

Armstead, 30, played in 12 games last season, missing time after suffering a torn meniscus in December. He has spent all nine years of his career with the 49ers and signed a five-year, $85 million contract with the team in 2020 after a 10-sack season.

This season, Armstead was set to have a massive $28.3 million cap hit. If designated as a post-June 1 cut, the move could save San Francisco $18 million against the cap.

More changes could be coming to the 49ers’ offensive line this week in free agency, as midseason trade acquisition Chase Young could depart.

Kendrick Bourne re-signs with Patriots on three-year deal

It might not be the kind of move Eliot Wolf envisioned when the Patriots’ new personnel honcho spoke at the NFL scouting combine of the need to ‘weaponize the offense,’ but New England is keeping a key piece in place.

Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne is re-signing with the team on a three-year deal worth up to $33 million, his agent said.

Bourne was averaging a career-high 50.8 yards per game in 2023 before a torn ACL suffered in Week 8 prematurely ended his season.

As New England prepares for perhaps more sizable moves to reshape its offense – the team also dealt quarterback Mac Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday – Bourne gives the new regime a steady target alongside tight end Hunter Henry, who also re-upped last week on a three-year deal worth up to $30 million.

Still, with the Patriots flush with cap space (more than $82 million, according to Over The Cap), New England could be a major player to remake its collection of skill-position talent.

When does 2024 NFL free agency start?

Free agency does not officially begin until 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 13, which marks the start of the new league year. At noon on Monday, March 11, however, players who are impending free agents are permitted to contact and reach agreements with teams on contracts.

The 71st edition of the ACC men’s basketball tournament heads to the nation’s capital – not exactly the event’s traditional home but not its first rodeo in Washington either.

In all, this will be the third time the event will be staged in D.C. at the venue currently known as Capital One Arena. Moving the spectacle to the District, however, has not prevented the league’s usual Tobacco Road powers from claiming the championship, as Duke won it in 2005 and North Carolina cut down the nets in 2016.

That will likely be the case again, as you’ll see below, but then March is rarely predictable.

ACC tournament schedule, bracket, scores

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First round

Tuesday March 12

Notre Dame vs. Georgia Tech, 2 p.m.

North Carolina State vs. Louisville, 4:30 p.m.

Boston College vs. Miami (Fla.), 7 p.m.

Second round

Wednesday March 13

Virginia Tech vs. Florida State, noon

Wake Forest vs. Notre Dame-Georgia Tech winner, 2:30 p.m.

Syracuse vs. North Carolina State-Louisville winner, 7 p.m.

Clemson vs. Boston College-Miami (Fla.) winner, 9:30 p.m.

Quarterfinals

Thursday, March 14

North Carolina vs. Virginia Tech-Florida State winner, noon

Pittsburgh vs. Wake Forest-Notre Dame Georgia Tech winner, 2:30 p.m.

Duke vs. Syracuse-North Carolina State-Louisville winner, 7 p.m.

Virginia vs. Clemson-Boston College-Miami (Fla.) winner, 9:30 p.m.

Semifinals

Friday, March 15

North Carolina-Virginia Tech-Florida State winner vs. Pittsburgh-Wake Forest-Notre Dame Georgia Tech winner, 7 p.m.

Duke-Syracuse-North Carolina State-Louisville winner vs. Virginia-Clemson-Boston College-Miami (Fla.) winner, 9:30 p.m.

Championship

Saturday, March 16

Semifinal winners, 8:30 p.m.

The ACC tournament favorites

The Tar Heels secured the top seed with a head-to-head sweep of the Blue Devils, but those two pulled well clear of the field and will be seen as the two big contenders. They are the only two teams that can feel assured of moving on to the NCAA as a top seed, and as such both will wear the big target once they take the floor. Clemson narrowly lost at Duke and won at North Carolina, making the Tigers the best bet to disrupt the rivals from meeting for a third time.

ACC tournament top players

► R.J. Davis, G, North Carolina – The ACC’s leading scorer (21.1 ppg) and likely player of the year shot a blistering 41.6% from three-point range during the regular season, and he always has a green light thanks to the rebounding prowess of his friends.

►Kyle Filipowski, C, Duke – The team’s top scorer (16.7) and rebounder (8.0) for a second consecutive year is the latest in a long line of Blue Devils whose occasionally questionable style of play earns him the wrath of opposing fans.

► Blake Hinson, G, Pittsburgh – The Panthers’ veteran marksman put up 18.8 points a game while connecting at a 42.4% clip from distance

►Hunter Sallis, G, Wake Forest – The former Gonzaga transfer quickly became the Demon Deacons’ go-to scorer (18.3 ppg), shooting just a shade under 50% from the field.

►P.J. Hall, C, Clemson – The senior mainstay in the Tigers’ frontcourt (18.8 ppg, 6.8 rpg) has worked to improve his shooting range, entering the tournament with 47 made three-pointers along with his 49 blocked shots.

NCAA tournament bubble storylines in ACC

Ironically, the same metrics that kept Clemson out of the Big Dance a year ago will likely get the Tigers in this time despite a less favorable seed. Nonetheless, their likely quarterfinal encounter with Virginia looms large for all bubble watchers, as the Cavaliers might also need another win. Likewise, Pitt and Wake might be in a virtual elimination game assuming the Demon Deacons avoid a Wednesday stumble.

The first and only Big 12 men’s basketball tournament with 14 teams will take place this season with the conference welcoming four new teams to Kansas City, Missouri, and seeing two other members compete for the last time.

Leading the first-timers is Houston, which is No. 1 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll and won the regular-season title by two games. Brigham Young also acquitted itself well with 10 league wins that have the Cougars comfortably in the field. Texas and Oklahoma both finished in the middle of the pack in their final seasons in the league they co-founded in 1996. Could they create some final fireworks before joining the SEC?

And what about Kansas? The perennial tournament contenders enter as a No. 6 seed after their worst conference finish in the Big 12. Depth and injury issues have derailed the Jayhawks, who will be without their top two players − Hunter Dickinson and Kevin McCullar Jr.

Big 12 tournament schedule, bracket, scores

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First round

Tuesday March 12

Central Florida vs. Oklahoma State, 12:30 p.m.

Cincinnati vs. West Virginia, 3 p.m.

Second round

Wednesday March 12

Brigham Young vs. Central Florida-Oklahoma State winner, 12:30 p.m.

TCU vs. Oklahoma, 3 p.m.

Texas vs. Kansas State, 7 p.m.

Kansas vs. Cincinnati-West Virginia winner, 9:30 p.m.

Quarterfinals

Thursday, March 14

Texas Tech vs. Brigham Young-Central Florida-Oklahoma State winner, 12:30 p.m.

Houston vs. TCU-Oklahoma winner, 3 p.m.

Iowa State vs. Texas-Kansas State winner, 7 p.m.

Baylor vs. Kansas-Cincinnati-West Virginia winner, 9:30 p.m.

Semifinals

Friday, March 15

Houston-TCU-Oklahoma winner vs. Texas Tech-Brigham Young-Central Florida-Oklahoma State winner, 7 p.m.

Iowa State-Texas-Kansas State winner vs. Baylor-Kansas-Cincinnati-West Virginia winner, 9:30 p.m.

Championship

Saturday, March 16

Semifinal winners, 6 p.m.

Big 12 tournament favorite

It’s hard to look past the No. 1 team in the country. Houston leads the country in scoring defense (57.3) and is third in field-goal percentage defense (38.5%) and that will keep them in games. A 30-point destruction of Kansas in the regular-season finale did nothing to diminish their position. Iowa State does have the defensive might to stick with them and Baylor has the scoring firepower to making things close. That pair could meet in the semifinals with the winner likely getting a shot at the Cougars.

Big 12 tournament top players

► Jamal Shead, G, Houston – It says everything about Shead that he was a named Big 12 player of the year and the league’s defensive player of the year. The straw the stirs the drink on both ends of the court for the Cougars is why they dominated the conference.

► Dylan Disu, F, Texas – The Vanderbilt transfer won Big 12 most improved player after scoring 16.1 points per game. The big man and Max Abmas provide most of the firepower for the Longhorns.

► RayJ Dennis, G, Baylor – Dennis led the conference in assists (7.0 apg) in league play and sets the pace for the Bears offense that averages 81.5 points per game.

► Tamin Lipsey, G, Iowa State – The key cog in driving the Cyclones to a surprise, second-place finish, Lipsey made the all-Big 12 first team as a sophomore. He does a little bit of everything, including leading the league with 2.8 steals per game.

► Emmanuel Miller, F, TCU – The team leader in scoring (16.0 ppg) and rebounding (5.8) has the ability to carry the Horned Frogs as he did in defeat of Baylor and Houston. It was his last-second shot that dealt the Cougars one of their three losses.

NCAA tournament bubble storylines for the Big 12

The Big 12 should lead all conferences with at least nine berths in the field. A majority of those should be top seeds with Houston, Baylor, Kansas and Iowa State leading the way. The lowest seeds look to be Oklahoma and TCU, but the Sooners and Horned Frogs are seemingly comfortable with 20 wins apiece. Those two play each other in the second rounds, so the losing team might have some sleepless nights before Selection Sunday. Kansas State and Cincinnati are the closest teams outside the bubble. A run to the conference tournament final probably wouldn’t be enough and winning the whole thing seems unlikely.

Matt Rempe, the New York Rangers rookie noted for his fights with veteran NHL tough guys, was ejected for the second time in his brief career Monday night.

The ejection occurred against the New Jersey Devils, the same opponent as when he was kicked out of a game earlier this season.

The first time was against Nathan Bastian, and this time, the recipient was Jonas Siegenthaler. Rempe, the 6-foot-7, 241-pound forward, received a five-minute major and game misconduct for elbowing the Devils defenseman in the head with 30 seconds left in the second period.

Siegenthaler didn’t play in the third period.

‘He’s not doing great, obviously,’ interim Devils coach Travis Green said. ‘He didn’t come back. You never want to see a player get hit like that.’

Rugged Kurtis MacDermid, recently acquired by New Jersey, tried to challenge Rempe, but on-ice officials kept them apart.

‘I wish I could have gotten to him quicker and taught him a lesson,’ said MacDermid, who received a 10-minute misconduct.

Rempe waved at Devils players before being led off the ice.

‘He’s a young kid in this league. He has a lot to learn still,’ MacDermid said. ‘You don’t do things like that in your first year in the league. I lost quite a bit of respect for him tonight.’

Rempe had been ejected after 13 seconds of ice time in his third NHL game for bloodying Bastian with a big hit. He avoided supplemental discipline then, but the NHL’s Department of Player Safety could look at the latest hit.

‘I think there’s some intent there to injure the player,’ Green said.

Rempe gained notice for his fights with Matt Martin, Nicolas Deslauriers, Mathieu Olivier and Ryan Reaves in his first seven games.

Though 10 games, he has 54 penalty minutes and two points, including a game-winning goal.

Though he didn’t pick up a point, he played a role in the Rangers’ second goal of their 3-1 victory, winning a faceoff and screening Devils goalie Kaapo Kahkonen on Erik Gustafsson’s score.

‘I hope Siegenthaler’s OK and I thought Rempe had a strong game up until that point,’ Rangers coach Peter Laviolette said.

The mother of the child injured when Britt Reid was driving intoxicated believes Missouri’s governor showed a double standard by commuting the sentence of the former Kansas City Chiefs coach.

Felicia Miller gave her first public interview since Reid, who is the son of Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, was freed from prison earlier this month.

‘I was really pissed about it. That’s why I needed this whole week to take some time just to calm down about the whole situation,’ she told ESPN in a story published Monday. ‘I was angry and then I was like, dang, this man didn’t even do a whole two years and he’s already out. If it was reversed, oh, it would be a complete different situation… because look who we’re talking about. We’re talking about Britt Reid, he was the assistant coach of the Kansas City Chiefs and we’re in Kansas City.

‘If it was just me, just somebody driving down the road, especially if I was drunk and slammed into his car, he had his child in the car and his child was injured, it would have been over for me, my whole life would have been over.’

Miller’s daughter, Ariel Young, was five years old in 2021 when she was in one of two cars that Reid hit while he was driving drunk at a speed of 83 miles per hour. She was one of six people injured and suffered severe brain damage. She spent two months in the hospital and was in a coma for 11 days.

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Governor Mike Parson commuted Reid’s sentence on March 1. The coach served less than half of his sentence in prison and will remain on house arrest through October 31 of next year.

Reid, who has previous criminal charges on his record, was an assistant linebackers coach at the time and struck a plea deal for a felony count of driving while intoxicated resulting in serious physical injury. The maximum sentence for his charges was seven years. He was sentenced to three.

The family’s attorney, Tom Porto, also spoke with ESPN and suggested that Parson let his bias toward the Super Bowl champions get in the way of justice.

‘I’m not talking about somebody that casually watches them on TV,’ Porto said. ‘He’s a guy that’s a season ticket holder. He goes to games. He went to the Super Bowl. He went to Super Bowl after parties. He went to the Super Bowl parade, the rally, all of the stuff.’

‘The Governor did not contact anyone who handled this case, or those directly impacted, including Ariel’s family. There simply can be no response that explains away the failure to notify victims of the offender,’ she said in a statement.

‘I simply say I am saddened by the self-serving political actions of the Governor and the resulting harm that it brings to the system of justice. But my office will fight for just outcomes regardless of social status, privilege or one’s connections. This system of justice still stands and will prevail over any fleeting political knock.’

Miller said that she hasn’t forgiven Reid for his actions and further expressed her frustration at his release.

‘I know they say sometimes you have to forgive and forget to move on,’ she said. ‘… Looking at my baby every day, seeing my daughter how she has to live and then seeing how he could be back at home comfortable, no I don’t.’

PENSACOLA, Fla. — The NAACP urged Black student-athletes on Monday to reconsider attending Florida colleges in response to the University of Florida and other state schools recently eliminating their diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

‘Florida’s rampant anti-Black policies are a direct threat to the advancement of our young people and their ability to compete in a global economy. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are paramount ensuring equitable and effective educational outcomes,’ said Johnson in the letter, adding: ‘This imbalance of power and profit demands a response, particularly because these institutions reap considerable financial benefits from the very individuals they fail to stand by in matters of diversity, equity, and inclusion.’

A state bill passed in 2023, SB 266, effectively bars Florida schools, colleges, and universities from spending state or federal funds to promote, support, or maintain programs that ‘advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, or promote or engage in political or social activism.’

State schools like North Florida and Florida International also shut down DEI programs.

‘Already starting to see a brain drain’

How gender and race are taught on Florida campuses will be restricted under the new law. It requires university officials to review any lessons ‘based on theories that systemic racism, sexism, and privilege are inherent in the institutions of the United States and were created to maintain social, political, and economic inequities.’

Critics are concerned that the new law could dissuade students from enrolling in Florida universities.

‘We’re already starting to see a brain drain from our state institutions,’ Matthew Lata, a professor at Florida State University’s College of Music, told the Tallahassee Democrat, part of the USA TODAY Network, last year.

DEI in business and education

In education, DEI typically refers to strategies, policies, and practices that provide all students equal access to educational opportunities, regardless of their background, identity, or abilities.

When put into practice, implementing DEI strategies in education can include updating the curriculum to reflect diverse perspectives, providing teachers with training on bias, and cultural competency and making efforts to increase diversity among staff. Creating an educational environment where all students can succeed is the overall goal.

DEI-related programs in education can vary significantly from one institution to another. They can touch on everything from the hiring process to enrollment and even how curriculum is shaped.

Here are some common examples of DEI-related programs:

Diversity training for educators – Many schools and universities have started providing diversity and inclusion training for teachers, professors, and other staff, which often includes instruction on understanding bias, promoting cultural competency and teaching in a manner that respects and addresses the needs of students from diverse backgrounds.

Strategies for increasing diverse representation – The American Council on Education has outlined strategies for increasing representation in hiring practices.

Support services – Some schools provide additional support services for marginalized or disadvantaged groups, such as tutoring programs, counseling services, and resources for students with disabilities.

In higher education, the new law could affect programs that recruit and retain students and faculty from underrepresented backgrounds, and even DEI-related courses.

Kirk Cousins has struck again.

No, news that the biggest prize in free agency landed with a four-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons worth $180 million, per multiple reports, as the “legal tampering” period opened on Monday was hardly a stunner.

Cousins, after all, is a quarterback. When the deal becomes official with the opening of the NFL’s free agency market on Wednesday, Cousins will join a quarterback-needy team – remember how new Falcons coach Raheem Morris put it from the podium at the combine, “If we had better quarterback play last year in Atlanta, I might not be standing here” – that undoubtedly projects him as the missing piece toward becoming a legitimate contender.

In the NFL, such a potential equation pays big bucks.

Just ask Cousins.

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Nobody, as in not a single soul, not even Russell Wilson, has worked the NFL system better over the past decade than Cousins.

Hey, Cousins, 35, who entered the NFL in 2012 as a fourth-round pick, may have a Michigan State education. But with the juice of agent Mike McCartney, he’s executed with the equivalent of having an MBA from Wharton in playing the NFL market over the years.

The new contract, according to ESPN, averages $45 million per year and guarantees $100 million. Now get this: It’s the first time since Cousins’ rookie contract that every single penny wasn’t guaranteed. He was twice franchise-tagged by Washington (2 years, nearly $44 million), then jumped to the Minnesota Vikings in 2018 with a three-year, fully guaranteed $84 million contract. Then he re-upped for $66 million (2 years) and extended for $35 million (1 year).

Now this. If he plays out the new deal, Cousins will have earned more than $400 million since his original rookie contract averaged $643,000 for his first four years. Talk about getting to that second contract. And the third one. And so on.

Insert Cousins reaction here: You like that!

Surely, there’s no need for any shame here. If someone (as in the typical NFL owner) can afford to back up the Brink’s truck and pay Cousins and other marquee players the stunning figures that represent the going rate, then imagine how much they’re hauling in. With the salary cap expanding to a record $255.4 million in 2024, NFL revenues surely top $20 billion – seemingly on course to reach the goal that Roger Goodell established in 2010 of hitting $25 billion by 2027.

Still, it’s fair to wonder if the big money will pay off with the biggest victories.

For all of the cash that Cousins has commanded, he has won just one playoff game.

Granted, quarterbacks get too much of the credit and too much of the blame. Yet they are also the most important players on any team, the ones who essentially touch the football on every snap, can raise the level of the supporting cast, and whose ability and decisions under pressure make or break hearts.

Cousins, the starter for nine of his 12 NFL seasons, has a 1-4 playoff record that hardly suggests that the Falcons are guaranteed playoff glory.

Then again, the Falcons, loaded with talent that includes running back Bijan Robinson, receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts, have to shoot their best shot while realizing that past playoff performances and circumstances with Cousins don’t necessarily reflect the future. And if you’re Arthur Blank, with one Super Bowl heartbreak and zero titles since buying the Falcons in 2002, your patience is certainly tested.

The experiment in developing third-round pick Desmond Ridder backfired and cost coach Arthur Smith his job. Ridder was a turnover machine at the worst times last season. He’s young. Maybe he will ultimately develop into a formidable pro quarterback.

Yet Cousins, one of the NFL’s best regular-season quarterbacks over recent years, is about winning now. The Falcons might have maneuvered to land one of the top-tiered talents from a deep rookie quarterback class. But that would have been a risk. They might have also swung a deal with the Chicago Bears and traded for local product Justin Fields.

Instead, after passing on pursuit of Deshaun Watson in 2022 and last year scratching any idea to test the waters for the (unlikely) possibility of getting Lamar Jackson, the Falcons have secured their best quarterback since Matt Ryan.

Now what? Cousins is apparently on track for a full recovery from the torn Achilles tendon that he suffered during the middle of last season, which abruptly ended his hot campaign. In addition to playmakers such as Robinson, Pitts and London – the team’s last three first-round picks – the Falcons will support Cousins with a talented O-line that includes three more first-round picks. The defense, meanwhile, took a huge jump last season and is poised to get even better under Morris, who did some impressive work as the Los Angeles Rams’ defensive coordinator. And that unit might get a jolt, too, by drafting an impact player with the eighth pick in the first round in April.

Cousins, however, is the one coming to town with the huge expectations of providing major bang for the buck. As it should be.

That’s a fact of life for quarterbacks in the NFL universe. And it’s why the real value for the Falcons in landing Cousins can’t be measured until the playoffs.