NFL free agency updates: Brock Osweiler will leave Broncos to sign with Texans

The NFL’s free-agent signing period started at 1 p.m. PST. Here’s some of the latest news:

Arizona: The Cardinals have reached agreement on a two-year, $10 million contract with free agent safety Tyvon Branch, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been officially announced, said $5 million of the contract is guaranteed. The 6-foot, 210-pound Branch played last year for the Kansas City Chiefs after seven seasons with the Oakland Raiders.

Atlanta: The Falcons agreed to terms with quarterback Matt Schaub, and also agreed to terms on a five-year deal with free-agent center Alex Mack. Schaub spent three seasons with the Falcons, then was traded the Texans after the 2007 season. He played for the Raiders in 2014 and the Ravens last season.

Baltimore: The Ravens have reached agreement on a two-year deal with free agent tight end Benjamin Watson, who had 74 receptions with the Saints last season.

Carolina: Defensive end Charles Johnson re-upped with the Panthers, though for a major pay cut. The nine-year veteran was released last week in a salary cap move, and now receives a one-year contract worth $3 million to return to the NFC champions, according to his agent, Drew Rosenhaus.

Cleveland: Johnny Manziel is not a man on the move, yet. On the first day of free agency, the Browns lost a three-time Pro Bowler (Alex Mack) and their fastest player (Travis Benjamin), but surprisingly hung on to Manziel.

Cleveland did not release the troubled quarterback on the day the NFL began its new calendar year. The move had been expected for weeks, and the Browns had indicated they will move on without the 23-year-old.

Then again, the team could be waiting to see if they can trade Manziel for a late-round draft pick or possibly recoup some of the money owed to him if he’s suspended.

He is still facing potential criminal charges in Texas stemming from a domestic violence incident.

Dallas: The Cowboys are bringing back middle linebacker Rolando McClain for a third season. The agency that represents McClain, Sports Trust Advisors, said in a tweet that the 26-year-old had agreed to a contract — one year at $5 million, according to a person with knowledge of the contract who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because terms weren’t released.

Denver: Another day, another Super Bowl champion quarterback has left the Denver Broncos. Two days after Peyton Manning retired, backup Brock Osweiler has agreed to a multiyear contract with the Houston Texans. A person familiar with the negotiations spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because free-agent deals couldn’t be finalized until later Wednesday.

Osweiler appeared in eight games with seven starts last season for the Broncos. He threw for a 1,967 yards and 10 touchdowns with six interceptions last season.

Detriot: Defensive tackle Haloti Ngata is returning to the Detroit Lions. Agent Mike McCartney’s Twitter account said Wednesday that the 32-year-old Ngata had agreed to a two-year deal with Detroit. He joined the Lions in a trade before last season, when Detroit lost Ndamukong Suh to free agency.

Kansas City: The Chiefs went for outside linebacker Jonathan Massaquoi, a day after agreeing to a three-year deal to keep veteran Tamba Hali.

Massaquoi’s agency announced the deal on the opening day of free agency

The Chiefs also agreed to a five-year contract with former Browns offensive tackle Mitchell Schwartz on Wednesday, shoring up their line with Jeff Allen and Donald Stephenson hitting free agency.

Miami: Defensive end Olivier Vernon’s transition tag was removed Wednesday by the Dolphins, allowing him to become a free agent hours after the team signed Mario Williams as a replacement. The Dolphins also finalized a trade to acquire cornerback Byron Maxwell and linebacker Kiko Alonso from the Philadelphia Eagles, who will receive a draft pick as compensation.

Minnesota: A person with direct knowledge of the deal tells The Associated Press the Vikings have agreed to a four-year contract with former San Francisco 49ers left guard Alex Boone.

New England: The New England Patriots signed linebacker Ramon Humber and released linebacker Dane Fletcher on Wednesday.

Humber, 28, has played seven NFL seasons with Indianapolis and New Orleans, playing mostly as a backup and on special teams. In 2015, Humber had 47 tackles and one sack in 14 games. Fletcher, 29, spent last season on the reserve-physically unable to perform list. In 54 games, he has 101 total tackles, 4 1/2 sacks, three forced fumbles and an interception.

New Orleans: The New Orleans Saints signed former Indianapolis Colts tight end Coby Fleener to a five-year contract.

The addition of Fleener, a four-year veteran who caught 54 passes for 491 yards and three touchdowns last season, comes on Wednesday’s opening of free agency and after tight end Ben Watson left New Orleans for Baltimore.

New Orleans also has re-signed kicker Kai Forbath. A person familiar with negotiations, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because Forbath’s signing has not been announced, says the kicker has a new one-year contract.

New York Jets: The Jets have released tight end Jeff Cumberland, saving themselves $1.9 million in salary cap space. The move comes as the Jets try to add spending flexibility with free agency set to start. New York had just approximately $6.7 million in cap space before the move.

Oakland: The Raiders have filled another hole in free agency by agreeing to a four-year contract with former Seattle pass rusher Bruce Irvin. A person with knowledge of the deal says Irvin will sign the contract worth a reported $39 million soon after the league year began Wednesday.

Pittsburgh: The Steelers re-signed right guard Ramon Foster to a three-year deal. Signed as a free-agent rookie in 2009, he is one of the team’s most dependable linemen.

Philadelphia: The Philadelphia Eagles and quarterback Chase Daniel have agreed on a three-year contract, according to a person familiar with negotiations. Daniel spent the past three seasons backing up Alex Smith in Kansas City, where new Eagles Coach Doug Pederson was the offensive coordinator.

San Diego tight end Antonio Gates tries to break free from Pittsburgh linebacker Sean Spence on Oct. 12.

(Jeff Gross / Getty Images)

San Diego: The Chargers say they’ve agreed to a two-year contract with star tight end Antonio Gates. The deal was announced Wednesday, hours before Gates was set to become an unrestricted free agent.

The 2016 season will be Gates’ 14th with the Chargers. He signed as an undrafted rookie in 2003. Gates is the franchise leader with 844 catches, 10,644 yards receiving and 104 touchdown catches.

Tampa Bay: All-Pro running back Doug Martin is staying in Tampa, re-signing for five seasons. The top player at his position on the market, Martin will get more than $35 million, with $15 million guaranteed.

Martin, 27, has had two outstanding seasons with the Buccaneers and two injury-plagued years. In 2015, he rushed for 1,402 yards, second in the NFL, and six touchdowns. His 4.87-yard average was the highest in team history.

He also rushed for 1,454 yards and 11 touchdowns as a rookie in 2012, when he was the 31st overall draft pick and made the Pro Bowl.