Matt Hasselbeck cut, The Titans released veteran quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, a move buying the team more cap space after they couldn’t work out an agreement to trim his $5.5 million salary for 2013.
The team moved quickly to replace Hasselbeck, signing ex-Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick to a two-year deal.
Hasselbeck, 37, spent the past two seasons with Tennessee, leading the Titans to a 9-7 record and just missing the playoffs on a tiebreaker in 2011 in coach Mike Munchak’s debut season coming off the NFL lockout.
But the Titans used the No. 8 draft selection overall in 2011 on Jake Locker, and they named him their starter for 2012. Hasselbeck, a former standout at Xaverian and Boston College who led the Seahawks to an appearance in Super Bowl XL, was due to count $7.5 million against the salary cap made him too pricey to keep.
According to USA Today, Hasselbeck won’t be unemployed long. The paper is reporting Hasselbeck is close to signing with the Colts to back up Andrew Luck.
Settlement reached
The NFL has agreed to pay $42 million as part of a settlement with a group of retired players who challenged the league over using their names and images without their consent. The league will use the money to fund a ‘‘common good’’ trust over the next eight years that will help retired players with an array of issues including medical expenses, housing, and career transition . . . The Atlanta City Council voted to approve a financing plan to build a new stadium for the NFL’s Falcons, removing one of the last hurdles for the downtown project that will replace the 20-year-old Georgia Dome.
Bengals ink Maualuga
The Bengals signed middle linebacker Rey Maualuga to a new contract — reportedly for two years and $6.5 million — another move to keep the league’s sixth-ranked defense virtually intact . . . The Steelers signed free agent tight end Matt Spaeth, who spent his first four seasons in Pittsburgh before signing with the Bears. No terms were available . . . The Vikings finalized a three-year deal worth up to $7.5 million with Pro Bowl fullback Jerome Felton. He will receive a $2 million signing bonus . . . The Rams and free agent offensive tackle Jake Long agreed to terms on a deal late Sunday night. Long, the first overall pick of the 2008 draft by the Dolphins, spent a few days in St. Louis last week and passed a physical, but left without a deal. Kevin Demoff, the Rams’ chief operating officer, confirmed the signing, which, according to ESPN, is for four years and up to $36 million . . . The Jets signed linebacker Antwan Barnes to a three-year contract and long snapper Tanner Purdum to a two-year pact . . . The Cowboys re-signed linebacker Ernie Sims to a one-year deal worth a reported $715,000.
The team moved quickly to replace Hasselbeck, signing ex-Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick to a two-year deal.
Hasselbeck, 37, spent the past two seasons with Tennessee, leading the Titans to a 9-7 record and just missing the playoffs on a tiebreaker in 2011 in coach Mike Munchak’s debut season coming off the NFL lockout.
But the Titans used the No. 8 draft selection overall in 2011 on Jake Locker, and they named him their starter for 2012. Hasselbeck, a former standout at Xaverian and Boston College who led the Seahawks to an appearance in Super Bowl XL, was due to count $7.5 million against the salary cap made him too pricey to keep.
According to USA Today, Hasselbeck won’t be unemployed long. The paper is reporting Hasselbeck is close to signing with the Colts to back up Andrew Luck.
Settlement reached
The NFL has agreed to pay $42 million as part of a settlement with a group of retired players who challenged the league over using their names and images without their consent. The league will use the money to fund a ‘‘common good’’ trust over the next eight years that will help retired players with an array of issues including medical expenses, housing, and career transition . . . The Atlanta City Council voted to approve a financing plan to build a new stadium for the NFL’s Falcons, removing one of the last hurdles for the downtown project that will replace the 20-year-old Georgia Dome.
Bengals ink Maualuga
The Bengals signed middle linebacker Rey Maualuga to a new contract — reportedly for two years and $6.5 million — another move to keep the league’s sixth-ranked defense virtually intact . . . The Steelers signed free agent tight end Matt Spaeth, who spent his first four seasons in Pittsburgh before signing with the Bears. No terms were available . . . The Vikings finalized a three-year deal worth up to $7.5 million with Pro Bowl fullback Jerome Felton. He will receive a $2 million signing bonus . . . The Rams and free agent offensive tackle Jake Long agreed to terms on a deal late Sunday night. Long, the first overall pick of the 2008 draft by the Dolphins, spent a few days in St. Louis last week and passed a physical, but left without a deal. Kevin Demoff, the Rams’ chief operating officer, confirmed the signing, which, according to ESPN, is for four years and up to $36 million . . . The Jets signed linebacker Antwan Barnes to a three-year contract and long snapper Tanner Purdum to a two-year pact . . . The Cowboys re-signed linebacker Ernie Sims to a one-year deal worth a reported $715,000.