One of the Rams’ priorities this offseason was improving their league-worst special teams.
On Monday, the Rams agreed to terms with veteran long snapper Joe Cardona on a two-year deal, Mike Reiss of ESPN reports.
Cardona will replace Jake McQuaide on new special teams coach Bubba Ventrone’s unit.
Cardona, who turns 34 next month, spent last season with the Dolphins after he played 10 seasons and 160 games with the Patriots.
He has recorded 25 tackles and one forced fumble in his long career.
Cardona also has played 13 postseason games and won Super Bowls LI and LIII with the Patriots.
He entered the NFL as a fifth-round selection by New England in the 2015 draft. Cardona played collegiately at Navy (2011-14), appearing in 51 games in four seasons. He was commissioned as a lieutenant in the Navy Reserve.
The 49ers are adding an offensive tackle.
According to multiple reports, San Francisco has agreed to a two-year deal with former Patriot Vederian Lowe.
Initial numbers indicate Lowe’s deal is worth a maximum of $12 million with $5.75 million guaranteed.
Lowe, 26, started four games for New England in 2025 in place of left tackle Will Campbell, who was dealing with a knee injury.
A sixth-round pick in 2022, Lowe has appeared in 46 games with 25 starts for Minnesota and New England. He was traded to the Patriots in late August 2023.
Lowe was on the field for 29 percent of offensive snaps and 20 percent of special teams snaps in 2025 for the Pats.
While Lowe ostensibly projects as a swing tackle, he could also provide insurance if the 49ers elect to move on from Trent Williams. It was reported earlier on Monday that San Francisco is open to trading the left tackle.
Prosecutors dropped the domestic assault case against Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore, Ted Wayman of WCVB reports.
Barmore, 26, was in court on Monday to be arraigned on a misdemeanor charge of assault and battery on a family/household member. The hearing ended when the prosecution told the judge the case was “not viable” after receiving new information from the alleged victim.
“It was a delayed complaint and the victim had mixed emotions about whether she wanted to go forward,” Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn said outside the courthouse, via Wayman.
Barmore was accused in August of 2025 of grabbing the phone out of the hand of a woman he was in a 3 1/2-year relationship with and throwing her to the floor when she tried to leave the house. The incident allegedly happened in front of the couple’s 2-year-old child.
Quinn said the victim remains out of state and does not plan to return.
Fullback Reggie Gilliam is switching sides in the AFC East.
According to multiple reports, Gilliam has agreed to sign with the Patriots after spending the last six seasons in Buffalo. It is reportedly a three-year, $12 million deal for Gilliam.
Gilliam played a core special teams role for the Bills in addition to his work as a blocker and occasional receiver. He had 16 catches for 135 yards and two touchdowns to go with 28 tackles, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 94 regular season games. He also had three catches and two tackles in 14 playoff outings.
Jack Westover was the primary fullback when the Patriots used one in the 2025 season, but that seems likely to change with Gilliam set to join the roster.
The Chiefs are adding a big man to their defense.
According to multiple reports, Kansas City has agreed to a three-year deal with nose tackle Khyiris Tonga.
The initial reporting indicates Tonga’s contract is worth $21 million with $14 million guaranteed.
Tonga, 29, was originally a Bears seventh-round pick in the 2021 draft. But he’s bounced around a bit, spending time with the Falcons, Vikings, and Cardinals before landing with the Patriots last March.
He appeared in 14 games with eight starts for New England in 2025, recording 24 total tackles with two tackles for loss, two QB hits, and a pair of passes defensed.
Tonga also showed some positional flexibility, playing 14 offensive snaps as a fullback for New England, particularly on plates near the goal line.
With the way Kansas City crafts unique plays near the end zone, Tonga could be a factor offensively for the Chiefs as well.
