TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end William Gholston signed a five-year contract extension rather than test his worth in free agency.
The versatile fifth-year pro who started 25 games over the past two seasons could earn an average of more than $5 million per year under the terms of a deal Gholston said he “couldn’t say no to” on Monday.
The 6-foot-6 lineman, a fourth-round draft pick in 2013, also plays tackle and is considered one of the Bucs’ best run-stoppers.
Gholston was eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on Thursday. He said he has matured and grown up in the Tampa Bay organization, so he was not eager to start over with another team.
Gholston led Bucs defensive linemen in tackles last season, making 14 starts before missing the final two games with a dislocated elbow. In 57 games, including 36 starts, he has 10 sacks.
49ers: A person with direct knowledge of the decision said San Francisco will release wide receiver Torrey Smith.
The veteran wideout hinted at the move through a series of posts on his verified Twitter account, then the person close to the situation confirmed the team’s intentions, on condition of anonymity because the 49ers hadn’t announced a decision to part ways with Smith.
RAIDERS: The team told the NFL it has found a new partner to finance its proposed stadium in Las Vegas: Bank of America.
A person familiar with the Raiders’ plans said the team presented the new proposal with financing backed by Bank of America to the NFL’s stadium and finance committees. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the plan was not made public.
The Raiders had been seeking a new partner for the proposed $1.9 billion, 65,000-seat domed stadium after casino magnate Sheldon Adelson withdrew a $650 million pledge last month.
The state of Nevada has committed $750 million to the project, while the Raiders and NFL would pay the remaining $500 million if three-quarters of the league’s owners approve a move. A vote could come at the owners meetings later this month.
• Mickey Marvin, who played on the Raiders’ 1980 and 1983 Super Bowl winners, died Monday. He was 61 and had been fighting ALS.
BEARS: Chicago re-signed tight end Daniel Brown to a one-year contract, and tendered rights to wide receiver Josh Bellamy and defensive back Bryce Callahan.
JAGUARS: Jacksonville released veteran cornerback Davon House, cutting a former starter who was due to make $6 million in each of the next two seasons.
BILLS: Buffalo released kicker Dan Carpenter, cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman, long snapper Garrison Sanborn, tight end Gerald Christian and safety Phillip Thomas.
WASHINGTON: The team signed Coach Jay Gruden to a multiyear contract extension.
Gruden was going into the fourth year of a five-year contract. Washington missed the playoffs last season after making it in 2015.
VIKINGS: After 11 seasons, 1,334 tackles, two Pro Bowls and an incalculable amount of work in the community, longtime Minnesota linebacker Chad Greenway has decided to retire.
Greenway played in 156 games and made 144 starts after the Vikings chose him with the 17th selection in the first round of the 2006 draft.
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