The Detroit Lions have released Chris Houston one year after signing him to a $25 million contract with a $6.5 million signing bonus for him to become their No. 1 cornerback.

Houston had four years remaining on his deal and $5.2 million of dead money still sitting on the table for the Lions. 

Houston had injury issues in 2013 and was a no-show during OTAs, as well as the Lions' mandatory minicamp earlier this week.

Houston was set to make $4.8 million against the cap this season, almost four times as much as the next highest-paid cornerback on the Lions against the cap this year.

The Lions are expected to start Darius Slay and Rashean Mathis at the two cornerback slots.

The Kansas City Chiefs have released Brandon Flowers.

Flowers was named to his first Pro Bowl this past season, but he had been absent from the Chiefs' offseason practices. Flowers was shifted to nickelback last season in obvious passing situations.

Marcus Cooper had replaced Flowers in the startling lineup in offseason practice.

Flowers struggled in the Chiefs' new defensive system, which called for him to often cover bigger and more physical receivers.

The New England Patriots have signed Kyle Auffray, a tight end out of New Hampshire.

Auffray has previous experience as a quarterback and punter in college.

With a small signing bonus, industry insiders believe the new contract of Colin Kaepernick may make it harder for the San Francisco 49ers to get deals done with other players.

Kaepernick said he hoped his deal would make it easier for the 49ers to sign other players.

Kaepernick received a signing bonus of $12,328,766 (to be exact) and a fully guaranteed 2014 base salary of $645,000 for this season. That works out to just less than $13 million fully guaranteed.

In comparison, guard Andy Levitre received $13 million guaranteed ($10.5 million signing bonus and $2.5 million fully guaranteed salary) in his deal with the Tennessee Titans in 2013. Logan Mankins (New England) got $21.5 million guaranteed, while Carl Nicks (Tampa Bay) and Jahri Evans (New Orleans) both received guarantees of $19 million.

The Chicago Bears have signed Jimmy Clausen.

Jordan Palmer is also in the mix for the Bears' backup quarterback job behind Jay Cutler.

The Bears also drafted San Jose State's David Fales in the sixth round as a developmental prospect.

Kevin Williams is still looking to sign with a team three months into free agency.

Williams left visits to the Seattle Seahawks and New York Giants without a contract.

As a 33-year-old vested veteran entering his 12th season, Williams would garner a minimum contract of $955,000 versus the rookie minimum of $420,000.

Williams has interest in joining the New England Patriots.

Williams seems content to wait until August or even to contemplate retirement.

"I've done well managing my money. I think I'd be fine if I don't play," Williams told Pelissero. "But that's my hope -- I hope to be on somebody's team before summer's out."

Jermichael Finley has met with the New England Patriots and is now drawing interest from the Pittsburgh Steelers and Oakland Raiders.

Finley has consistently received interest from teams, but it is unclear yet if he will be fully cleared by doctors as he recovers from a surgically repaired neck.

The Green Bay Packers still envision Finley remaining with their club if he's cleared.

The Indianapolis Colts have a need at safety, but Chuck Pagano is still not considering a familiar face in Ed Reed.

Pagano was the secondary coach at the University of Miami from 1995-2000 where he first coached Reed, before joining him later in his career with the Baltimore Ravens.

Reed said over the weekend that he intends to continue his NFL career this season.

The starting safety spot is right there for Delano Howell.

The Dallas Cowboys have considered Brian Urlacher, but aren't interested in signing him now.

Urlacher was released by the Chicago Bears a season ago and did not play in the NFL last season.

Urlacher played his whole career in the 4-3 Tampa 2 scheme, which the Cowboys use under Rod Marinelli.

Jermichael Finley has visited with the New England Patriots after he was given clearance to return to football by the surgeon that performed his neck surgery.

Finley still needs to get cleared by individual team doctors before he'll be signed to a contract.

Finley has been one of the NFL's most productive tight ends when healthy.