Robbie Anderson’s time with the Arizona Cardinals turned out to be very unproductive and extremely short.

The Cardinals released the wide receiver on Wednesday after he appeared in just 10 games following his acquisition from the Carolina Panthers in October.

By cutting the seven-year pro, Arizona will save $12 million in salary cap space for 2023. Anderson was due $8.8 million in salary, $200,000 in workout bonuses and a roster bonus of $3 million.

The Cardinals traded a 2024 sixth-round draft pick and a 2025 seventh-round pick to Carolina in exchange for Anderson, who had been sent to the locker room mid-game by Panthers interim coach Steve Wilks in his final game with the team.

In need of a healthy receiver after an injury to Marquise Brown, the Cardinals took a chance on Anderson, but he was slow to pick up the offense and finished with just seven catches for 76 yards in 10 games.

Anderson, who recently changed his legal name to Chosen Robbie Anderson, spent his first four seasons with the New York Jets. He set career highs with 95 receptions for 1,096 yards in 2020 in his first season with the Panthers but dropped to 53 catches and 519 yards the following season.

The New York Giants have committed to Daniel Jones as their future at quarterback, signing him to a $160million extension while franchise tagging running back Saquon Barkley.

Negotiations between the Giants and Jones went right down to the wire as they looked to get a deal done before Tuesday's franchise tag deadline.

Jones and his representation had been said to be demanding as much as $45m a year following a 2022 season in which he helped the Giants reach the playoffs for the first time since the 2016 season.

New York's Wild Card round win over the Minnesota Vikings was the Giants' first in the postseason since they defeated the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI at the end of the 2011 campaign.

Instead, Jones will receive an average of $40m over the course of a four-year deal, which contains $35m in incentives and will see him get $82m over the first two years.

Jones, a previously maligned sixth overall pick in 2019, enjoyed the best season of his career in 2022 under first-year head coach Brian Daboll, completing 67.2 per cent of his passes for 3,205 yards, 15 touchdowns and just five interceptions. He added 708 yards and seven touchdowns as a runner.

The Giants finished 9-7-1 in a turnaround few expected, but their decision to make Jones the seventh-highest-paid quarterback in the NFL by annual salary after one season of production that was still a long way from the league's elite will raise eyebrows.

Barkley will remain with the Giants at a much cheaper price, with the franchise tag set to pay him $10.1m for 2023.

The second overall pick in 2018, Barkley had seen his career hindered by injuries in recent years but bounced back last season to rack up 1,312 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns.

New York used the non-exclusive tag on Barkley, meaning teams can still negotiate with him.

The Giants would have the chance to match any deal he may make with a rival team, who would have to give two first-round picks to New York if they chose not to match.

The Baltimore Ravens have placed a franchise tag on Lamar Jackson, but there is no guarantee he will be their quarterback in 2023.

The Ravens gave Jackson the non-exclusive franchise tag on Tuesday, meaning he is free to negotiate with other teams.

If he signs an offer sheet with another NFL team, the Ravens have the option of matching it to keep Jackson or decline it and receive the other team's 2023 and 2024 first-round draft picks as compensation.

Had the Ravens placed the exclusive franchise tag on Jackson, he would have been locked up for the 2023 season by Baltimore and received a guaranteed salary of $45million.

The 26-year-old, who represents himself without an agent and just completed the final year of his rookie contract, also has the option of signing a one-year franchise tender to play for the Ravens in 2023 for a guaranteed salary of $32.4m.

The decision for the Ravens to place the non-exclusive franchise tag on Jackson and not work out a long-term deal differs greatly from what the team was indicating less than two months ago.

Just days after the Ravens' 2022 season ended with a 24-17 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in the Wild Card round, both general manager Eric DeCosta and coach John Harbaugh told reporters that they were determined to keep Jackson.

"Lamar Jackson is our quarterback," Harbaugh said on January 19. "He's been our quarterback. Everything we've done in terms of building our offense and our team, putting people around him, is based around this young man, his talent, his ability and his competitiveness.

"I'll have my fingers crossed and my toes crossed, I'll be saying prayers, I've every faith it's going to get done. Eric wants him here, I want him here, [owner] Steve [Bisciotti] wants him here and Lamar wants to be here. It's going to work out."

When asked if Jackson would be Baltimore's Week 1 starting QB next season, DeCosta added: "I don’t see any reason why he won't be."

Now that the Ravens have given him the opportunity to hit the open market, there is a distinct possibility he has played his final game for Baltimore.

The 32nd overall pick of the 2018 draft, Jackson ranks second in Ravens' franchise history in passing yards (12,209) and passing touchdowns (101) and was the league MVP in 2019.

His last two seasons, however, have been mired by injuries, as he missed five games in 2021 and the final five of 2022 due to a knee injury.

Sauce Gardner promised to "burn the cheesehead" in a cheeky sales pitch to Aaron Rodgers amid reports the veteran quarterback is in talks with the New York Jets.

Rodgers has not committed to the Green Bay Packers for the 2023 season and the Jets are said to have been given permission to speak to the four-time NFL MVP.

The Jets previously held discussions with free agent Derek Carr, but he elected to join the New Orleans Saints.

Should Rodgers join the Jets, he would likely link up with cornerback Gardner, who riled up the Packers following New York's 27-10 win in Green Bay in October.

Gardner was gifted a 'cheesehead' that has become synonymous with Green Bay fans, as a reference to the nickname given to them owing to Wisconsin's association with cheese production.

This was seen as a mockery of the Packers, and the hat was knocked off Gardner's head by Green Bay wide receiver Allen Lazard, who subsequently said he had no real issues with the celebration.

That moment went viral on social media, but Gardner vowed he would burn it in a tweet to Rodgers.

"Aye @AaronRodgers12 I promise if you become a Jet, I won't pick you off in practice and I’ll burn the cheesehead," Gardner posted.

Jets running back Breece Hall also tweeted in the wake of the reports, writing: "Don’t mind me…Just Manifesting @AaronRodgers12".

Whether their pitches work remains to be seen, though 39-year-old Rodgers leaving the Packers after 18 years would certainly provide a shake-up ahead of the new season.

Aaron Rodgers has been given permission to speak to the New York Jets about a possible trade.

The Green Bay Packers quarterback is yet to make an announcement on his future, with retirement rumoured since the end of the NFL season.

However, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Rodgers has received permission to speak with the Jets.

Rodgers is still under contract in Green Bay, which suggests the Packers are open to the idea of him moving on should he decide against retirement.

The 39-year-old threw 26 touchdowns for the Packers last season, with one rushing touchdown, while his 12 interceptions thrown was the most since he threw 13 in the 2008 season.

The Packers ended the season with a record of 8-9, finishing third in the NFC North, while the Jets finished bottom of the AFC East with a 7-10 record.

Two running backs coming off career seasons were designated as franchise players by their respective teams on Monday, as the Las Vegas Raiders applied the tag to Josh Jacobs and the Dallas Cowboys did the same with Tony Pollard.

The move enables both teams to negotiate with their respective players, both of whom would have been unrestricted free agents, towards long-term contracts up until July 15. Jacobs and Pollard would earn $10.1million in 2023 if a deal is not reached and they play under the tender offer.

Jacobs became the first Raider to lead the NFL in rushing yards since Hall of Famer Marcus Allen in 1985 when he compiled 1,653 this past season. The 25-year-old added 12 touchdowns and 400 receiving yards on 53 catches to earn first team All-Pro honours.

The four-year veteran has publicly stated his desire to re-sign with the Raiders, though he told The Athletic during the week of the Pro Bowl he has no interest in playing under the tag.

"Oooh, hero turned villain, man," he said when asked what his response would be to receiving the franchise tender.

"This is where I want to be. I feel like I've left my mark on this organisation. With the guys in the locker room – obviously, it's going to be shaken up next year – but I feel like this is home. For me, this is where I want to be, but I'm not going to discredit myself trying to be here, either. So, it's just got to make sense."

Pollard emerged as the Cowboys’ best running back and earned his first Pro Bowl nod with an outstanding 2022 campaign in which he rushed for 1,007 yards and scored 12 total touchdowns. His 5.22 yards per rush attempt ranked second in the NFL among players with at least 175 carries.

The 25-year-old is recovering from a broken left leg and high-ankle sprain he sustained in Dallas’ playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers in January, but is expected to be recovered in time for the start of next season.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones told reporters at the recent scouting combine in Indianapolis that the team was planning on using the tag on Pollard in hopes of working out a multi-year agreement.

"I really don’t want to say it’s a done thing because as these things come and go, you don’t know where you are until the deadline comes and goes," Jones said Friday. "But right now, certainly Tony is a big part of our plans."

A long-term deal with Pollard could impact the future of Cowboys longtime running back Ezekiel Elliott, who is scheduled to count $16.72m against the salary cap this season. The three-time Pro Bowler could be asked to take a pay cut to remain with the team or may be a candidate to be released.

Jacobs and Pollard are two of four players who have received the franchise tag ahead of Tuesday's deadline, along with Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram and Washington Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne.

Reigning NFL Comeback Player of the Year Geno Smith has reportedly signed a three-year extension to remain the starting quarterback of the Seattle Seahawks.

According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport, Smith's new deal is worth $105million.

The 32-year-old took the starting role this season after Russell Wilson was traded to the Denver Broncos for a haul of draft picks.

It was meant to be a rebuilding season in Seattle, with the veteran acting as a bridge to their next franchise signal-caller, but eight years after his last season as a full-time starter Smith blew all expectations out of the water.

He led the Seahawks to a 6-3 start, finishing above .500 at 9-8, all while leading the NFL in completion percentage (69.8 per cent).

By all statistical indicators, Smith was a top-10 quarterback in the league this past season.

His 30 touchdown passes were the fourth-most, he finished eighth in passing yards (4,282), and his QBR of 60.8 had him tied for sixth. It was not all simple, short passes either, ranking ninth in yards per attempt (7.5).

After spending time with the New York Jets, New York Giants and Los Angeles Chargers, Smith has found a home in Seattle the past three years, and was one of 15 players to receive an MVP vote for the 2022 season.

Having made a grand total of $17.55m in his nine-year career, Smith is set to make up to $52m in the first calendar year of his new deal

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Calvin Ridley has been reinstated by the NFL after a year-long suspension.

The 28-year-old was handed an indefinite suspension in March 2022 for betting in games during the previous season, including his own team, while with the Atlanta Falcons.

Despite that suspension, the Falcons traded Ridley to the Jaguars in November 2022 for a conditional 2023 sixth-round and 2024 fourth-round picks in the NFL Draft.

Ridley applied for reinstatement last month, on the first day he was eligible to do so, and the league has now confirmed his return.

In a statement, the NFL said: "Calvin Ridley of the Jacksonville Jaguars has been fully reinstated... Ridley, who had been suspended indefinitely since March 2022 for violating the NFL's gambling policy, is eligible to participate in all team's activities, effective immediately."

In his four active seasons with the Falcons, Ridley amassed 3,342 receiving yards and 28 touchdowns.

Quarterback Derek Carr is signing for the New Orleans Saints after nine years with the Las Vegas Raiders.

The 31-year-old Carr was released by the Raiders on February 14 – just hours before a deadline that would have paid him $40.4million in guaranteed money – and had met with the Saints, New York Jets and Carolina Panthers as possible landing spots for 2023.

With the Saints, Carr will be reunited with coach Dennis Allen, who was Carr’s first NFL coach with the Raiders and was part of the evaluation process of him leading up to the 2014 draft.

The Raiders selected Carr in the second round of the draft and Allen choose to make him the starter immediately as a rookie.

Carr is the franchise's all-time leader in passing yards (35,222) and passing touchdowns (217) but left the team in rocky circumstances after a subpar 2022 season and was ultimately benched.

In 2022, he averaged 234.8 passing yards a game while his completion percentage (60.8) and QB rating (86.3) were both his lowest since his rookie year.

He made four Pro Bowls with the Raiders but one of his biggest areas of criticism is that he never led the team to a playoff win. He lost his lone postseason start and among quarterbacks in the Super Bowl era, he has the third-most starts for one team without a playoff victory.

The Saints went 7-10 last season and have missed the playoffs each of the last two years following the retirement of Drew Brees.

New Orleans was unsettled at quarterback after Jameis Winston and Andy Dalton played the position in 2022. The unproven Winston was injured in the first month of the season and the veteran Dalton performed well as his replacement but is now a free agent.

Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks has been released ahead of 2023 NFL free agency, the team announced on Monday.

A mainstay in the Vikings' defense for the past eight seasons, Kendricks is now free to sign with a new team before the start of the new league year on March 15.

In a statement, Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said: "As a Pro Bowler and team captain, a Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee and a leader of the Vikings social justice efforts, Eric leaves a powerful, permanent legacy within our organisation and the Minnesota community.

"While he is best known as a playmaker and respected linebacker across the league, Eric's contributions to the Vikings extend far beyond the field because of his selfless and unwavering commitment to improving societal issues.

"I have the utmost respect for Eric and wish him and Ally, along with their growing family, continued success in their next chapter."

Kendricks led Minnesota in tackles in seven of his eight seasons, with his total of 919 for the Vikings second among NFL players since 2015, behind only Bobby Wagner.

Highlights in 2022 included a goal-line recovery of a Josh Allen fumble for a touchdown against Buffalo Bills, helping the Vikings clinch the NFC North and finish the season 13-4, with his 137 total tackles ranking 14th in the NFL.

Bryce Young understands the questions that are being asked about his size ahead of the NFL Draft but remains confident in his ability.

The former Alabama quarterback is one of the most highly rated prospects heading into April's draft and is one of the most decorated players available.

Winner of the Heisman Trophy and SEC Offensive Player of the Year in 2021, Young threw 79 touchdowns and had just 12 interceptions in his two seasons as a starter for the Crimson Tide.

His stellar performances include 321 yards and five TD's in his final game for Alabama, a 45-20 victory over Kansas State in December's Sugar Bowl.

Despite those impressive numbers, questions have been asked about Young's frame heading into the NFL, having been listed at six-foot and 194 pounds at Alabama.

While Young is aware of those potential concerns, it is not something that fazes him.

"I've been this size, respectfully, my whole life. I know who I am, I know what I can do," he said on Friday at the NFL Combine.

"For me, it's fair, everyone can speculate, ask me every question. I'm going to continue to control what I can control, continue to keep working my hardest. I'm confident in myself. I know what I can do.

"To be honest, I don't really know too much about what's said about me. I'm grateful for everyone's opinion, I respect everyone's opinion, but I focus on what I can control.

"I take the advice and the direction of the people that I trust."

Young also confirmed that he had met formally with the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans at the combine, who hold the first two picks of April's draft.

A potential trade for the Bears' number one pick is widely reported to be on the cards.

Carolina Panthers founder Jerry Richardson has died aged 86.

Richardson brought the Panthers to Carolina and the NFL in 1995, reaching Super Bowls in the 2003 and 2015 campaigns.

He left the franchise in 2018 after allegations of sexual and racial workplace misconduct.

Panthers owners David and Nicole Tepper paid tribute to Richardson after his death was announced on Thursday, saying: "Jerry Richardson's contributions to professional football in the Carolinas are historic.

"With the arrival of the Panthers in 1995, he changed the landscape of sports in the region and gave the NFL fans here a team to call their own.

"He was incredibly gracious to me [David Tepper] when I purchased the team, and for that I am thankful.''

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell also saluted Richardson, saying in a statement: "The NFL community is deeply saddened by the passing of Jerry Richardson.

"The Carolina Panthers are a testament to his extraordinary and tireless dedication to the community. But his league-first attitude as seen through his leadership of numerous NFL committees... helped pave the way for a series of public-private stadium partnerships throughout the country, and collective bargaining agreements that continue to support the growth of the game.

"As a former player himself, Jerry cared deeply about the welfare of players and the labour agreements he helped negotiate have led to improved pay and benefits for generations of players. From a personal perspective, he was a wise and caring advisor to me, his fellow owners, and many Panthers players and coaches over the years."

New Panthers head coach Frank Reich was the franchise's first quarterback under Richardson, and said: "I will always be thankful to Mr Richardson for the Panthers. Being a part of the inaugural [season] is something that I will never forget.

"It was truly a special experience to play a part in the culmination of his efforts to bring football to the Carolinas."

The Indianapolis Colts appear ready to improve their fourth overall pick in this year's NFL Draft with general manager Chris Ballard leaving that idea wide open.

The Colts have endured four difficult years in the quarterback spot since Andrew Luck's departure in 2019, finishing the 2022 campaign with a 4-12-1 record.

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young looms large as an early pick prospect, but the Colts would likely need to trade up from their No.4 pick to get access to him.

"I know all the speculation out there," Ballard told reporters at the NFL scouting combine. "To move up, there's got to be a guy worthy of it.

"Everybody has just automatically stamped that you've got to move up to one to get it right. I don't know if I agree with that. But that's going to be the narrative, and that's OK.

"If, when we meet as a staff and we say, 'OK, this is what we need to do. This is the guy for the next 10 to 15 years and we think he's the right guy,' we'll do it. But who's to say we won't get one at four?"

Ballard was clear when asked what it would take for the Colts to take an aggressive approach to acquire a QB like Young, replying: "That we were just convicted that this is no freaking doubt the guy."

During the post-Luck era, the Colts have never been better positioned to acquire a QB to solve their dilemma with the role.

Jacoby Brissett, Philip Rivers, Carson Wentz and veteran Matt Ryan have been their most used starting QBs over the past four seasons respectively.

"It took a lot of freaking pain to get there," Ballard said in reference to earning the No.4 pick. "But when you're there, you need to take advantage of it."

The Colts will be led by new head coach Shane Steichen in the 2023 season, coming in from the Philadelphia Eagles where he was offensive coordinator to replace interim boss Jeff Saturday.

The Baltimore Ravens are "fervently hopeful" that a deal with Lamar Jackson will get done.

Jackson's future with the Ravens remains uncertain ahead of Tuesday's franchise tag deadline, with the quarterback yet to sign a long-term contract.

The Baltimore signal-caller, who represents himself rather than employing an agent, reportedly wants a fully guaranteed deal, but the Ravens are reluctant to offer that, meaning talks have been deadlocked.

"You can't win in this league without a strong quarterback. I mean, that's been proven," Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said.

"We want Lamar here. We think he's one of the best quarterbacks in the league. He's certainly one of our best players, and we want him back.

"We understand that living in a world without a quarterback is a bad world to live in."

DeCosta voluntarily said that few teams have made more trades than the Ravens since he became GM four years ago but had no plans to offload Jackson.

"I covet great players. I covet quarterbacks. And I love Lamar," DeCosta said. "That has not factored in one time with me. We want to do what's best for the club. We try to do what we can for Lamar. We want to make everybody happy."

The Ravens can place the franchise tag on Jackson before Tuesday's deadline, but would have to create more room in their salary cap to fit the QB's tag under the cap.

The exclusive tag is projected to cost Baltimore $45.2million, while a non-exclusive tag would be around $32m, but the latter opens him up to offer sheets from rival clubs.

"Both understand the urgency of the situation," added DeCosta, before reiterating he remains "positive" on agreeing a new deal.

"I've seen a lot of deals happen when things look bleak, or I haven't seen deals when I would've thought it was a slam dunk," he said. "It takes two people to do it. I remain positive. I have no reason not to remain positive."

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said he was "200 per cent" that 2019 MVP Jackson wanted to remain with Baltimore.

"He's my quarterback, he's my guy," Harbaugh said. "I love him. As a coach, I'm looking forward to seeing it get done but it's not easy. It's the business part of it but I'm fervently hopeful and excited.

"We've been texting back and forth here and there ever since the season was over. I feel like 'Mar is doing really well. It's just part of the business, it's what you expect when you have a great quarterback."

Jackson threw 17 touchdown passes with a 62.3 per cent completion rate across 12 starts in the 2022 regular season, which was cut short due to a knee injury. His 2021 campaign was also impacted by an ankle injury, Jackson again making only 12 starts.

Jalen Carter is confident he will be "fully exonerated" of criminal wrongdoing after warrants for the 2023 NFL Draft prospect's arrest were issued on Wednesday.

The Georgia defensive tackle is considered by many to be the best player in this year's draft and was due to speak with the media at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.

But he is instead heading back to Athens, Georgia after warrants for his arrest were issued on the basis of a charge of reckless driving and racing amid an investigation into the January 15 road accident that killed a player and recruiting staffer from the University of Georgia.

Carter was allegedly street racing with Georgia staffer Chandler LeCroy, who died along with Bulldogs offensive lineman Devin Willock when the car they were travelling in left the road and hit nearby power poles and trees.

In a statement posted to his Twitter account, Carter wrote: "This morning I received a telephone call from the Athens Georgia Police Department informing me that two misdemeanour warrants have been issued against me for reckless driving and racing.

"Numerous media reports have also circulated this morning containing inaccurate information concerning the tragic events of January 15, 2023.

"It is my intention to return to Athens to answer the misdemeanour charges against me and to make certain that the complete and accurate truth is presented.

"There is no question in my mind that when all of the facts are known that I will be fully exonerated of any criminal wrongdoing."

Earlier, the Athens-Clarke County Police Department released a statement that read: "As a result of the ongoing investigation into the January 15, 2023, fatal crash that occurred in the 900 block of Barnett Shoals Road, the Athens-Clarke County Police Department has secured arrest warrants for Jalen Carter, 21, for Reckless Driving and Racing.

"The investigation found that Chandler LeCroy, driver of the 2021 Ford Expedition, and Jalen Carter, driver of a 2021 Jeep Trackhawk, were operating their vehicles in a manner consistent with racing shortly after leaving the downtown Athens area at about 2:30 AM.

"The evidence demonstrated that both vehicles switched between lanes, drove in the center turn lane, drove in opposite lanes of travel, overtook other motorists and drove at high rates of speed in an apparent attempt to outdistance each other. Evidence indicated that shortly before the crash the Expedition was travelling at about 104 miles per hour.

"The toxicology report indicated that LeCroy's blood alcohol concentration was .197 at the time of the crash. Investigators determined that alcohol impairment, racing, reckless driving and speed were significant contributing factors to the crash.

"The case will be given to the Solicitor General's Office."

A unanimous All-American last season, Carter helped Georgia to successive National Championships during his college career. He is considered a candidate to be the first overall pick, though the apparently increasing probability of the Chicago Bears trading that selection means it is more likely a quarterback will come off the board first next month in Kansas City.