The Cincinnati Bengals have released Dre Kirkpatrick.

Kirkpatrick was a first round pick in 2012 out of Alabama. Kirkpatrick started six games at cornerback in 2019 before suffering a season-ending knee injury on Nov. 10.

"Dre was a part of the Bengals' organization for many years, and displayed passion, energy and competitiveness both on and off the field," Bengals coach Zac Taylor said in a statement. "We appreciate his many contributions to our team and community over the years, and wish him the best moving forward."

NFL Players Association medical director Thom Mayer is optimistic the 2020 season will take place.

However, the union and the NFL will know a lot more in late May or early June about whether playing this season is viable.

Mayer discussed the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the NFL during an appearance on Adam Schefter's podcast.

The NFLPA has created a COVID-19 brain trust that includes members from Harvard, Duke, Johns Hopkins, the CDC, the White House, the state department and the office of Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

"So OTAs, probably not going to happen. As you know, the clubs are closed for now and will remain closed for a while. But I'm very optimistic," Mayer said. "You know, you look at somebody like Drew Brees and [wife] Brittany Brees gave five million dollars to New Orleans. And you may have heard Drew the other day say, 'Hang in there, hang tough.' And that's what we have to do. We have to hang in there and hang tough -- but we have to scenario plan for disasters in terms of the way we did it at 9/11."

The Houston Texans have opened up extension talks with left tackle Laremy Tunsil, according to sources.

The two sides have exchanged preliminary proposals.

Houston acquired Tunsil last year for a package of draft picks. He is expected to become the highest-paid left tackle in the NFL.

Lane Johnson of the Philadelphia Eagles has the largest contract for a left tackle at $18 million per year.

Jason Licht revealed that Tom Brady actually sold the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on his fit with the team rather than the other way around.

"We had a great conversation -- Bruce (Arians) and I -- we talked to him for over an hour and a half. And he made it clear in the conversation that he was very, very interested," Licht said. "It was almost like a recruitment on his part, telling us why it would make sense for him to come to Tampa Bay. The next call we made, we signed him, but it was at that phone call that we realized, that we felt like we had him."

The Buccaneers went into the offseason targeting Brady believing he has plenty of good football left.

"The tape showed to us that he had plenty of arm. In fact, we thought that he had an ideal arm for Bruce in his system," Licht said, referring to Arians' affinity for taking shots downfield. "He can still throw it deep. We felt like the mobility was still the same as he's always had, which, he's never been able to outrun anybody. But he certainly is good in the pocket in terms of eluding pressure and with his poise and his instincts. We did not see a decline in his arm talent whatsoever. And, in fact, we feel like he could still play for over two years for us, and hopefully that's the case."

During an Instagram Live conversation over the weekend, Marvin Jones set a lofty goal for the 2020 season.

"I want to lead the league in -- I want over 15 touchdowns," The Detroit Lions receiver said. "Forget 10, I've had 10 already. I want (15). I want 1,400 (yards). Just stuff like that that drives me and every time I step on that line -- I'm going on Year 9 -- but every time I step on that line, it just fuels me to be great."

Jones missed three games last season, but still posted 779 yards and nine touchdowns.

Allen Robinson is raising money to feed children in Chicago during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Robinson announced a campaign in conjunction with the Greater Chicago Food Depository to raise money for meals for students who are currently out of school.

"It's not about me doing this," the wide receiver said. "It's trying to create a way for people to come together and make an impact. It's not just me making an impact on my own. Everyone can make an impact."

The Detroit Lions have agreed to a contract with Geronimo Allison.

Allison agreed to a one-year contract for the veteran's minimum of $910,000, according to a source. The wide receiver will also get a $137,500 signing bonus.

The Green Bay Packers signed Allison to a one-year, $2.8 million deal before the 2019 season in the hopes he'd fill the No. 2 receiver role. In 16 games, he had 34 receptions and four drops.

The Washington Redskins have agreed to a one-year, $4 million deal with Ronald Darby, according to a source.

Washington had a need at cornerback after cutting Josh Norman and trading Quinton Dunbar.

Darby missed 28 of a possible 48 games over the past three seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Derek Wolfe has agreed to sign a one-year, $6 million deal with the Baltimore Ravens.

Wolfe had a career-high seven sacks in 2019 for the Denver Broncos.

The Ravens previously expressed interest in signing Ndamukong Suh.

The Kansas City Chiefs and DeMarcus Robinson have agreed to a one-year contract.

Robinson caught 32 balls for 449 yards in 2019.

Robinson turns 26 in September.