BOSTON (AP) — Strong special teams play has been one of the staples of the Patriots under Bill Belichick. Few players know that more than longtime special teams captain Matt Slater, one of the most recognized leaders in New England’s locker room. The unit has already undergone big …

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The New York Giants have reached a one-year contract agreement with tight end Eric Tomlinson. Tomlinson confirmed the signing on his Instagram account. The Giants posted the news on their website and Twitter account, citing reports, but they will not confirm it …

Besides the draft, the other big event on April's NFL calendar is the release of the regular-season schedule. Teams have known their opponents since late December, but Howard Katz and his scheduling department continue to parse through over 50,000 scenarios pumped out by nearly 1,500 computers …

BOSTON (AP) — Don't minimize the Patriots. Devin McCourty warns the NFL that in the post-Tom Brady era, forgetting about New England is not a wise move. The safety, defensive captain and three-time Super Bowl champion is entering his 11th season in New England after recently agreeing to …

Lovie Smith's coaching tenure in Chicago might not have ended had the Bears made the playoffs his final three seasons instead of missing out by one spot his last two years. Playoff droughts in Cleveland and Tampa Bay wouldn't be nearly as long or painful had the Browns and Bucs sneaked their …

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Tom Brady says one day he’ll have time to reflect on a historic 20-year stint with the New England Patriots. Right now, the six-time Super Bowl champion and newest member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is focused on his next challenge. It's a big one. “I don’t want …

BOSTON (AP) — The Patriots said goodbye Monday to another longtime staple of their two-decade run of championships, releasing kicker and franchise leading scorer Stephen Gostkowski. The three-time Super Bowl champion has spent his entire 14-year career in New England. Drafted in 2006, …

BOSTON (AP) — Brian Hoyer is returning to the Patriots for a third time. The veteran quarterback has agreed to a one-year deal worth $1.05 million. Hoyer was released by Indianapolis on Saturday. In Hoyer, the Patriots add a veteran quarterback who is familiar with their system. …

The Latest on NFL free agency. The NFL's spending in free agency continues Friday: ___ 10:20 p.m. The Carolina Panthers have signed free agent wide receiver Pharoh Cooper to a one-year contract and safety Juston Burris to a two-year deal. Cooper was an All-Pro returner for the Los …

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — A new look for the NFL: Tom Brady in Tampa Bay pewter and red rather than Patriots red, white and blue. The six-time Super Bowl champion quarterback signed a two-year contract in free agency on Friday, embarking on a “new football journey” with the Buccaneers. The …

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers enter free agency with expectations of signing Tom Brady and bolstering a defense that will be one of the keys to helping the six-time Super Bowl champion quarterback be successful with his new team. There’s been no official announcement on …

The Latest on NFL free agency. Teams can negotiate with representatives of free agents for the second day Tuesday but cannot finalize any agreements until Wednesday (all times EDT): 9:45 p.m. The Seattle Seahawks have bolstered its offensive line by agreeing to a two-year deal with B.J. …

DETROIT (AP) — Add a couple more names to the parade of ex-Patriots joining the Detroit Lions. And one of the top players on Detroit's current roster is apparently ready to leave. The Lions agreed to a two-year, $8 million deal with defensive tackle Danny Shelton. Agent Drew Rosenhaus …

The Latest on NFL free agency. Teams can begin making agreements with free agents official as the league's business season begins Wednesday. All times EDT: ___ 8:40 p.m. The Giants sent, or are in the process of sending, a letter to their season ticket holders regarding payment for …

Tom Brady preparing to trade the red, white and blue threads of this century's most successful franchise for one of the NFL's bottom feeders served as the highlight of a topsy-turvy start to the league's new year Wednesday. Brady, 42, will take his six rings from his unparalleled 20-year …

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Gronk is going to WrestleMania. Rob Gronkowski, the retired New England Patriots tight end, is set to host WrestleMania in April from WWE's performance center. The WWE's annual wrestling extravaganza — often called the Super Bowl of wrestling — was originally …

A day after Tom Brady announced he was leaving New England, the Patriots spent the first day of free agency in cost-cutting mode. Finding a new quarterback will be the top priority for coach Bill Belichick as he begins the task of reconstructing his roster in the post-Brady era. But other …

The NFL is considering delaying the approval of free agent deals being made the last two days because of a lack of signed contracts. A person familiar with the discussions on Tuesday night tells The Associated Press that due to free agents not being able to travel and actually sign …

For two decades, Tom Brady was the face of the Patriots, and even of the NFL. When he turns 43 in August, his home address no longer will be in New England. The six-time Super Bowl champion plans to keep playing. But the centerpiece of the Patriots’ dynasty, the most successful quarterback …

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (12-5) UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: WR Phillip Dorsett, FS/ST Nate Ebner, DT Danny Shelton, RT Marshall Newhouse, C Ted Karras, LB Elandon Roberts, K Nick Folk, LB Shilique Calhoun, C James Ferentz. RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: G Jermaine Eluemunor, DT Adam Butler. NEEDS: …