Rams LB Jones seeks transfer
Kansas City, Missouri. – The Chiefs signed wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster on Monday, re-signing a veteran wide receiver who helped Kansas City win the Super Bowl two years ago, just one day before all NFL teams must reach the 53-man roster limit.
When temperatures in Kansas City were just above freezing, Smith-Schuster wore his familiar number 9 jersey for training.
Smith-Schuster was released by the Patriots earlier this month, a year into his three-year, $25 million contract. He played one season in Kansas City in 2022, catching 78 passes for 933 yards and three touchdowns. His season ended with a trip to the Super Bowl, where Smith-Schuster caught seven passes for 53 yards in a 38-35 win over the Eagles.
“(Linebacker) Nick Bolton said he was getting treated on the table today and said, ‘That voice sounds familiar,’ and looked up and said, ‘What’s up, bro!'” Chiefs linebacker Drue Tranquill said of Smith-Schuster. “I hear he’s a great player. He and Pat (Mahomes) have great chemistry. He’s going to be a big asset for us.”
The Chiefs had one of the NFL’s least productive wide receiver groups last season when they beat the 49ers to win their second straight title. They tried to change that by signing Marquise Brown as a free agent and drafting Xavier Worthy in the first round, but Brown’s availability to start the season is questionable after he dislocated his shoulder in the preseason.
The Chiefs open the regular season on September 5 with a rematch of the AFC Championship game against the Ravens.
Seahawks sign Jaguars pass rusher Gipson
Seattle signed pass rusher Trevis Gipson from Jacksonville for a late-round draft pick in 2025 on Monday, a trade that gives the Seahawks additional depth amid uncertainty over how long Uchenna Nwosu might be out.
Nwosu, the team’s top edge rusher, injured his left knee on the opening drive of Saturday’s final preseason game against Cleveland when he was blocked by offensive lineman Wyatt Teller. ESPN.com reported Monday that Nwosu has suffered a strained medial ligament that could keep him out for several weeks.
The Seahawks did not practice on Monday. Nwosu missed most of last season after suffering a torn pectoral muscle, and Seattle’s defense suffered greatly because of him. The Seahawks appear to be better prepared for Nwosu’s absence this time around, with Dre’Mont Jones expected to play more on the outside line this season, second-year outside linebacker Derick Hall developing and the addition of Gipson.
Rams linebacker Jones seeks transfer
Los Angeles Rams linebacker Ernest Jones did not participate in practice on Monday after being cleared to seek a transfer.
Jones clarified on social media on Sunday that he never asked for a transfer, posting a message on X before deleting it. Coach Sean McVay confirmed Jones’ statement and said discussions with the player’s agent and other teams are ongoing.
“You know, I think sometimes those are conversations, you know, things come to light. But in his defense, he’s right, he never asked for a trade,” McVay said. “We’ve communicated with his representative, there have been some conversations with teams, and that’s pretty much where things stand.”
Jones is entering the final year of his rookie contract after starting 26 games over the past two seasons. A third-round draft pick out of South Carolina in 2021, Jones has established himself as a team captain and defensive playmaker on the field, albeit at a position the Rams have typically not spent big money on since McVay took over in 2017.
“But those are parts of the job, and they’re not fun parts, but they’re real parts that you have to acknowledge,” he said. “And Ernest is a professional in every sense of the word, and so we just take it day by day.”
McVay said he hopes to get a better handle on the situation as soon as possible. The Rams open the season on Sunday, Sept. 8, against the Lions at Ford Field.
“There are a lot of discussions going on right now,” he said. “I think there’s always a little bit of heightened urgency in the league, not only because of this situation but because of the potential changes that can take place here. So I’m sure the next time I talk to you I’ll have a little bit more clarity, but we’re working on these things and there can be changes by the minute.”
Receiver Lamb agrees to a $136 million deal
CeeDee Lamb’s months-long absence from the Dallas Cowboys is over and the All-Pro receiver is just behind Justin Jefferson as the second highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
Lamb and the Cowboys agreed on Monday to a four-year, $136 million contract with $100 million guaranteed, three people familiar with the deal told the Associated Press.
The people spoke to AP on condition of anonymity because the extension has not yet been announced.
Lamb missed all of training camp in California after also skipping mandatory minicamp during the offseason. The June absence at club headquarters began a day after Jefferson agreed to a $140 million contract with the Minnesota Vikings that made him the highest-paid non-QB.
The average annual value of Lamb’s contract extension is $34 million, which is roughly double what the former Oklahoma star will earn in this year of his rookie contract.
