Veteran safety Jabrill Peppers has a message for NFL teams, including the Cincinnati Bengals, as the regular season approaches. “Going on nine years in this league,” Peppers wrote on X. “I’ve had seven head coaches and six defensive coordinators lol. There is no scheme you can place me in where I won’t find a way to be effective.” The 28-year-old, a former first-round pick, was released by the New England Patriots last week. He spent the past three seasons in New England. With Cincinnati introducing new defensive coordinator Al Golden and fielding a safety group of Geno Stone, Jordan Battle and Tycen Anderson, adding an experienced playmaker like Peppers could be an option. For now, the veteran is making it clear he believes he can contribute in any scheme. Former Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers has a message for the Bengals and any other NFL team that may want to sign him with the start of the regular season looming.  “Going on nine years in this league,” Peppers wrote on X. “I’ve had seven head coaches and six defensive coordinators lol. There is no scheme you can place me in where I won’t find a way to be effective.” The Bengals are one of many teams that could be interested in a proven veteran like Peppers, who was surprisingly released last week.  Peppers is a former first round pick. He’s played for the Browns, Giants and Patriots. Peppers is a proven talent that won’t cost significant money and would give the Bengals’ secondary a major boost. However, it’s unclear if the Bengals have interest in Peppers, but adding a veteran to a safety room that includes Geno Stone, Jordan Battle and Tycen Anderson would make a lot of sense. 

Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins  is optimistic about what the team’s retooled passing attack can accomplish this season. “I feel like we could be dangerous, man,” Collins told KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson at a charity event. “I feel we all just go out there and be us. That’s the main important thing, is go out and be you. Don’t make the moment bigger than what it is and go out just have fun. Make plays for the team and that’s what we’re doing for sure.” Houston’s wide receiver room looks different heading into 2025. Stefon Diggs left in free agency for New England, John Metchie III was dealt to Philadelphia, and Tank Dell continues to rehab from a knee injury suffered late last season. The Texans added veteran slot option Christian Kirk, along with rookies Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, while Xavier Hutchinson returns after an encouraging preseason. Nico Collins remains the centerpiece. Despite missing five games with a hamstring injury last year, the 26-year-old still led Houston with 68 receptions for 1,006 yards and seven touchdowns, finishing fourth in the NFL at 83.8 receiving yards per game. He opened the year on fire, averaging 113.4 yards per game through the first five weeks. At this stage, Collins believes his timing with quarterback C.J. Stroud is as sharp as ever

The Dallas Cowboys have secured one of their defensive stars for the long term, agreeing to a four-year, $92 million contract extension with cornerback DaRon Bland , including $50 million guaranteed. The deal, confirmed Sunday, makes Bland the NFL’s sixth-highest-paid cornerback at $23 million per year. Bland, 25, became a household name during his breakout 2023 season, when he recorded nine interceptions and set an NFL record with five pick-sixes. The one-time All-Pro and Pro Bowler now forms one of the league’s most dangerous cornerback tandems alongside Trevon Diggs. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer praised Bland’s rise: “Shot onto the scene a couple years ago and made an immediate impact as a rookie. … He’s such a humble young man, but so well-deserved. You love him as a teammate and as a competitor.” A 2022 fifth-round pick, DaRon Bland has totaled 14 interceptions, 164 tackles, 27 passes defensed and one forced fumble in his career. Though he missed the first 10 games of last season with injury and failed to record a pick after returning, his early production has far outpaced expectations. The extension comes just days before Dallas faces the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL Kickoff Game, fulfilling Bland’s stated wish to get a deal done before Week 1.