PHOENIX — Running back Rashard Mendenhall is retiring from the NFL at the age of 26.

Agent Mike McCartney confirmed via Twitter on Sunday that Mendenhall had decided to end his playing career after six NFL seasons, all but one of them with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

NEW YORK — The New York Jets cut ties with Antonio Cromartie, their top cornerback, on Sunday and saved millions of dollars under their salary cap.Cromartie was entering the final season of his four-year deal and was scheduled to cost the Jets' cap $14.98 million this season, including a $5 million roster bonus that would have kicked in later this month.

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Vikings took another of their priority free agents off the market before it opens, agreeing to terms on a five-year contract with defensive end Everson Griffen that features $20 million guaranteed and a maximum value of $42.5 million.

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Sam Shields agreed to re-sign with the Packers, keeping one of the top free-agent cornerbacks off the market this offseason.Shields' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, confirmed the four-year NFL veteran agreed to a four-year, $39 million deal with a $12.5 million signing bonus. Shields on his Twitter account Saturday posted that “he was happy to be back with my family.”

DALLAS — Mike Modano's No. 9 was retired by the Dallas Stars.The guy who made hockey cool in Dallas was joined on the ice at the end of a 50-minute ceremony by five of the biggest names in pro sports in the area, including former Dallas Cowboys and Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman, and Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki.

LONDON — Alexander Gustafsson handed Jimi Manuwa his first MMA defeat in the main event of the UFC Fight Night card at Saturday night at O2 Arena.Gustafsson controlled the first round after getting top position on a throw, and came out much more forcefully in the second, buckling Manuwa with a Muay Thai knee, and finishing him off with strikes on the ground.