Veteran quarterback Matt Hasselbeck will return to the Indianapolis Colts as Andrew Luck's primary backup, the team announced on Thursday. The one-year deal is worth a reported $3 million, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport.
Matt Hasselbeck re-signs with Colts, ex-Bears RB enjoying acting career and other NFL news
In other news, several players were released Thursday.
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The 39-year-old signal caller has yet to start a game for the Colts. Over his two-year tenure in Indianapolis, he's made seven appearances in which he totaled 431 yards and two touchdowns. As a three-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl starter, he has plenty of experience and leadership to offer a young team working to assert itself among the best in the AFC.
Hasselbeck likely won’t be the only Indy quarterback to get paid this offseason. Luck, who has established himself as one of the game’s top quarterbacks, is expected to get a huge payday. The 2015 season marks the final year of his four-year rookie deal.
For his part, Hasselbeck is happy to be along for the ride.
Excited to be back with my @Colts teammates!
— Matthew Hasselbeck (@Hasselbeck) February 27, 2015 Former Bears running back Thomas Jones finds football "detox" in acting
Thomas Jones was always known for having a focused dedication to football during his 12 seasons in the NFL, and now the former Chicago Bears rusher is applying that same mindset on stage as an up-and-coming actor. In an interview with the Chicago Tribune, Jones detailed how his life after football led him into what could become a second career:
“I got the acting bug,” Jones said. “I had never heard of the show (Showtime’s “Shameless”). Then I’m working with (lead actor) William H. Macy and Bradley Whitford, who I did not know because I didn’t watch TV. It was crazy. I found a safe haven in acting because it helped me detox from the game.”
Jones moved to Hollywood in order to perfect his new craft and recently appeared alongside Gabrielle Union on the TV show Being Mary Jane. Even though he’s found similarities between acting and football -- including the business-like approach to both -- Jones is enjoying his newfound passion and the chance to be creative.
SB Nation presents: The best defensive tackles in the 2015 NFL Draft
Michael Roos hangs up cleats after 10-year career
Veteran offensive lineman Michael Roos announced his retirement on Thursday via the Tennessee Titans' official website. Roos earned a Pro Bowl selection and All-Pro honors in 2008. In 2009, he was part of the successful line that paved the way for running back Chris Johnson's 2,000-yard season.
The Titans drafted Roos in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft out of Eastern Washington and he started a total of 148 games. An emergency appendectomy in 2012 halted his streak of 119 straight games started to begin his career.
“I’m excited to begin the rest of my life, and I am grateful to do so now, while I am fully healthy,” Roos said via TitansOnline.com. “Thank you Titans fans for your support all these years. Cheers!”
Branch, Fasano, Langford among players released Thursday
- The Oakland Raiders have released safety Tyvon Branch, according to Jason LaCanfora of CBSSports.com. Branch dealt with injuries the past two seasons and only played in five games during that span. With his release, the Raiders free up $3 million in cap space.
- The Philadelphia Eagles released guard Todd Herremans, who was one of the longest-tenured players on the existing roster, according to ESPN's Adam Caplan. The 2005 fourth-round selection started 124 games in 12 seasons with the team. He was healthy until Week 8 of the 2014 season before a torn biceps caused him to play injured in Week 9 and eventually sit out the remainder of the season. The move will save Philadelphia roughly $2.8 million in cap space. Bleeding Green Nation has the full story.
- Veteran tight end Anthony Fasano is the Kansas City Chiefs' latest salary cap casualty after the team released him on Thursday. He appeared in 24 games that included 22 starts over the course of two seasons with Kansas City in 2013 and 2014. The emergence of Travis Kelce made the move possible. For his career, he has totaled 253 catches for 2,799 yards and 31 touchdowns.
- The St. Louis Rams released seven-year veteran defensive lineman Kendall Langford on Thursday, the team announced. He started all 16 games in both the 2012 and 2013 seasons, but AP Defensive Rookie of the Year Aaron Donald made Langford expendable due to his stellar first campaign. The Rams save $6 million in cap space with the move.
- The Jacksonville Jaguars have released nine-year veteran Will Blackmon, the team announced Thursday. The move leaves the Jaguars with four cornerbacks and makes Blackmon a free agent. The 30-year-old started 12 games in two seasons as a nickelback. He missed the final eight games of the 2014 season with a fracture in his finger.
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