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NFL roundup: DeMarcus Ware calls it a career

Nov 27, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware (94) pass rushes in the first half against the Kansas City Chiefs at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware (94) pass rushes in the first half against the Kansas City Chiefs at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The Denver Broncos will be without one of their stars for the 2017 NFL season, as DeMarcus Ware has decided to retire after a stellar career.

It has been an incredible NFL career for DeMarcus Ware, who won a Super Bowl title as a member of the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 50. The nine-time Pro Bowler has carved out a Hall of Fame career, which came to an end on Monday. Ware announced his retirement after 12 seasons in the league, and will leave with 138.5 career sacks. Ware was a standout player for the Broncos and Dallas Cowboys, who drafted him with the 11th overall selection in the 2005 NFL Draft.

Staying in the AFC West, the Kansas City Chiefs will be on the lookout for a new backup quarterback, as Nick Foles signed with the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday. Foles, who had his best season as a pro with the Eagles back in 2013, inked a brand new two-year contract with the Birds. Foles’ 2013 season was the stuff of legend, as he came out of nowhere to throw for 27 touchdowns against only two interceptions.

The Chiefs added some talent on Monday, as Bennie Logan signed a one-year deal to be the team’s nose tackle. The arrival of Logan signals the probable end of Dontari Poe’s tenure in Kansas City, as Poe is likely to sign elsewhere this free agency period. Poe’s price tag is probably too high for Kansas City, who just invested a ton of money to bring back fan favorite Eric Berry to play safety for the next six seasons.

The Los Angeles Chargers will have a new left tackle this season, as the team signed Russell Okung this past weekend to a huge deal. With the signing of Okung, the team let go of King Dunlap, who had been the team’s starting left tackle for the past four seasons. Dunlap had a rough go the past few seasons for the Chargers, but he will likely be picked up fairly quickly in free agency.

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Finally, the New York Jets pulled out all of the stops to bring Dont’a Hightower to the team in free agency. On Monday, Hightower’s birthday, the star linebacker was greeted at the Jets’ facility with cupcakes for his birthday. In addition, the team sent Hightower’s mom Jets gear, took him out to dinner, and had every screen in the facility with “Happy Birthday Dont’a Hightower” on it. Despite all of that, the 27-year-old is expected to return to the New England Patriots for the 2017 NFL season.