NFL free agency is in full swing after the start of the new league year on Wednesday, with most of the biggest names on the market already having found their landing spots.
Several pending deals became official on Wednesday, largely putting a bow on Day 1, Day 2 and Day 3 of the pre-free agency negotiating window. But the biggest news was wide receiver Calvin Ridley surprising many by picking the Tennessee Titans, per reports. Entering Thursday, there are still some big names yet to sign: offensive tackle Tyron Smith, wide receiver Mike Williams (who was released Wednesday), defensive end Chase Young, cornerback Stephon Gilmore and more.
USA TODAY Sports will have updates on all the latest deals and buzz throughout the day, so check back often for up-to-the-minute news from our staff and around the USA TODAY Network:
Titans continue addressing WR corps
In addition to Ridley and DeAndre Hopkins, the Tennessee Titans are reinvesting in another trusted target.
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Per NFL Network, veteran WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine will return for a fifth season in Nashville. The undrafted free agent from Indiana, who projects as the No. 4 target (also behind Treylon Burks), has 94 grabs for 1,276 yards and 10 TDs in his NFL career to date.
Colts WR Michael Pittman has a plan
INDIANAPOLIS – Michael Pittman Jr. dreamed of reaching free agency, of getting to see all of his potential suitors line up and weigh them against the situation he enjoyed in Indianapolis. But he knew that was never going to happen.
Yet unlike the last time a Colts star player was faced with the potential of the franchise tag, Pittman had faith this would all work out. He sensed the moment the Colts were in with a developing Anthony Richardson and a team that just went 9-8. He’d kept the dialogue open with general manager Chris Ballard. He wanted the Colts to identify him as a true foundational player, and that’s what they did with a contract that will pay him $70 million over three seasons and make him the eighth-highest paid wide receiver in the NFL.
“I kind of knew the whole time that this was going to happen,” Pittman said.
He wore a navy blue suit to sign his new deal, his first veteran contract as an NFL player.
“I think It’s just fulfilling to know that you are the guy they drafted you to be,” he said.
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– Nate Atkins, Indianapolis Star
Bengals making addition to defensive line
With uncertainty surrounding DJ Reader’s future, the Cincinnati Bengals added one of the best free agents available at defensive tackle in Sheldon Rankins.
The Cincinnati Enquirer’s Kelsey Conway confirmed a two-year deal worth $26 million for Rankins, a former first-round draft pick who has played eight seasons in the NFL for the New Orleans Saints, New York Jets and Houston Texans.
Rankins is familiar to Bengals fans because he wreaked havoc during the Bengals’ heartbreaking loss to Houston last November, including three sacks of Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow.
– Dave Clark, Cincinnati Enquirer