Jay Cutler Lifestyle

The Seattle Seahawks reportedly are close to re-signing linebacker Leroy Hill. The Seahawks placed their franchise player tag on Hill in February but rescinded it last weekend, making him an unrestricted free agent. That move came just after the club used the fourth overall selection in the NFL draft on linebacker Aaron Curry. Hill and the Seahawks have continued negotiating on a longterm deal, however. "We believe we made the right decision," Seahawks Coach Jim Mora told Seattle radio station KJR, according to an account in the Tacoma News Tribune. "Sure it was a risky decision, a very risky decision.... If for some reason Leroy decides to go somewhere else then we're open to criticism. We probably deserve it. But my belief in talking to Leroy as much as I have is that he'll be wearing a Seattle Seahawk uniform next year. I feel very confident of that."

The New Orleans Saints have agreed to a lease extension that will keep them playing at the Superdome through the 2025 season, the Associated Press reported. The deal is to be announced today. The new lease will enable New Orleans to continue its pursuit of the 2013 Super Bowl. The bid reportedly would have been abandoned if the Saints and the state had been unable to complete a lease deal. It would be the 10th Super Bowl to be played in New Orleans. The deal reportedly would cap direct cash payments from the state to the team at approximately $6 million a year. The agreement must be approved by the state legislature, according to the AP. The agreement includes a provision for the state to spend $85 million to upgrade the Superdome, according to the AP.

The Atlanta Falcons signed tailback Verron Haynes, formerly of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Haynes grew up in Atlanta and played at the University of Georgia. He was drafted by the Steelers in 2002 and spent six seasons with them, totaling 738 rushing yards. The Falcons waived wide receiver Troy Bergeron.

Linda Bogdan, a daughter of Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson, died Tuesday, a team spokesman told the Associated Press. The spokesman was unable to provide further details to the AP. A Buffalo television station, WIVB, reported that Bogdan had been battling cancer. She spent 23 years with the Bills and was the team's vice president and assistant director of college and pro scouting. WIVB reported that she was the NFL's only female scout. According to the AP, Bogdan grew up in Detroit and lived in Englewood, N.J.

Michael Vick will be moved to home confinement on May 20, ESPN reported today, reaffirming a previous report by the Associated Press. The AP reported in February that there was no room at a halfway house for Vick and he would be released to home confinement in Hampton, Va., on or around May 21. Neither report has been independently confirmed. Vick has been serving a 23-month federal prison sentence in Leavenworth, Kan., for his role in a dogfighting operation based at a property that he owned in Virginia. He is scheduled to be released in July. The quarterback remains on indefinite suspension by the NFL.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes was arraigned on a misdemeanor marijuana charge related to a traffic stop in October, the Associated Press reported. Holmes did not appear at the hearing, the AP reported, and a pretrial conference is scheduled for May 22. If convicted, Holmes faces a potential $500 fine and 30 days probation, according to the AP.

Agent Drew Rosenhaus told the Arizona Republic that tailback Edgerrin James could sign with a new team soon. "So far several teams have expressed interest and we may have a deal in place in the very near future," Rosenhaus told the paper in a written message. The Arizona Cardinals released James on Tuesday after selecting tailback Chris (Beanie) Wells in the first round of the NFL draft Saturday. The move reportedly cleared about $5 million in salary cap space for the Cardinals.

The Saints have released defensive tackle Hollis Thomas, his agent told the New Orleans Times-Picayune. Thomas spent three seasons with the Saints after being obtained in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles. The Saints released him last season but re-signed him after he recovered from a triceps injury. The move comes on the heels of the Saints releasing another defensive tackle, Brian Young, leaving the team with some depth issues at the position behind starters Kendrick Clancy and Sedrick Ellis. The Times-Picayune reported that the Saints will have to rely on recently signed veteran Rod Coleman and untested young player DeMario Pressley as backups at the spot.

Analysis Is there any way to keep Brett Favre retired, without any signals whatsoever that he might want to play again? Earlier this offseason, when he announced his second retirement in two years, the quarterback said it was for good this time. Yet the New York Jets made a provocative move Tuesday, announcing that they'd released Favre from their reserve-retired list. The maneuver was unnecessary if Favre wants to remain retired. Favre could have remained on that list if he indeed wants to stay out of football. He said in a written statement issued by the Jets that nothing has changed and he intends to stay in retirement. But the move by the Jets reportedly resulted from conversations between the team's general manager, Mike Tannenbaum, and Favre's agent, Bus Cook, and now it leaves Favre free to sign with any club of his choosing if he does decide to

The New York Jets released quarterback Brett Favre from their reserve-retired list, the team announced. The move leaves Favre free to sign with any team if he wants, although he said in a written statement issued by the Jets that he intends to remain retired. Favre announced his retirement earlier in the offseason. He played one season for the Jets, who obtained him in a trade with the Green Bay Packers after he retired but decided to return to play. Favre reportedly had wanted to play for the Minnesota Vikings last season, and today's move by the Jets perhaps could fuel speculation that another return is possible. The Jets traded up to select Southern Cal quarterback Mark Sanchez with the fifth overall choice in the NFL draft Saturday.