NFL

Chiefs sign TE Travis Kelce to two-year, $34.25 million contract

This deal replaces Kelce’s current one, and while it never helps a team’s cap situation to give a player a raise, Kelce deserves one and this still isn’t too much money for the future Hall of Famer. Kelce posted 93 receptions for 984 yards in 2023 and has shown signs of declining, but this pact only runs through 2025, so that isn’t much of a concern.

Grade: B-

Patriots sign DT Christian Barmore to four-year, $92 million contract extension

Barmore is young (24) and already one of the NFL’s better interior defenders, so New England is doing the right thing by locking up a franchise cornerstone. The defensive tackle totaled 8.5 sacks last season, and should only get better in the coming years. The Patriots need to get back to drafting, developing, and signing homegrown talent, and this extension matches that goal.

Grade: B+

Cowboys sign RB Ezekiel Elliott to one-year, $3 million contract

Elliott is nowhere close to the same player he was at his peak — he hasn’t eclipsed four yards per carry since 2021 — but he’s experienced and should earn playing time in a Cowboys backfield currently occupied by Rico Dowdle, Royce Freeman, and Deuce Vaughn. Elliott’s familiarity with Dallas’ system should aid him, as well. Even if this pact is a bit pricey, it makes sense for the Cowboys.

Grade: B

NCAAB

Saint Mary’s transfer SG Aidan Mahaney commits to Connecticut

As the back-to-back national champions, Dan Hurley and the Huskies can basically pick and choose which players they want. Connecticut has to replace a ton of key departures, but Mahaney will help will a void, at least in the scoring department. The guard became a bit overrated during his tenure with the Gaels, as he hit plenty of tough shots, but didn’t impact the game as much as some thought. Regardless, Mahaney tallied 13.9 points per game in 2024 for Saint Mary’s, and will make Connecticut a better team next season than it would be without him.

2024 five-star C Jayden Quaintance commits to Arizona State

Quaintance, the No. 8 recruit for 2024, originally committed to Kentucky to play for John Calipari, but altered his plans in wake of Calipari taking the Arkansas job. At 14-18, Arizona State had a brutal 2024, but perhaps adding a talented five-star big will reinvigorate the program. The annual goal for the Sun Devils should be to make the NCAA Tournament, and life won’t get any easier for them as they enter the loaded Big 12.