Smith was fired after the 2012 season by the Chargers. He spent 14 seasons with the Chargers as assistant general manager and director of pro personnel (2001-02) and executive vice president and general manager (2003-12). His 95 wins as GM are a Chargers record.

Under Smith's guidance, the Chargers won five AFC West titles and 95 regular-season games, the fifth-most victories in the the AFC during his run as general manager.

--The Buffalo Bills announced they tendered a qualifying offer to tight end Dorin Dickerson.

The 24-year-old Dickerson appeared in 11 games with Buffalo in 2012, catching nine passes for 117 yards.

The 6-foot-1, 226-pound Dickerson played just 97 snaps last year. But his role could expand with fullback Corey McIntyre prepared to test the free-agent market and tight end Scott Chandler still recovering from an ACL injury.

Meanwhile, veteran linebacker Bryan Scott tweeted that he has re-signed with the Buffalo Bills.

By signing a one-year contract with the Bills, Scott passed up an opportunity to become an unrestricted free agent next week and test the open market.

Scott, 31, finished the 2012 season with 66 tackles, four interceptions and two fumble recoveries.

--Linebacker DeAndre Levy reached agreement on a new three-year contract with the Detroit Lions, according to multiple reports.

Terms of the deal were not available. Levy, 25, was set to become an unrestricted free agent next week.

A four-year starter, Levy was the Lions' third-leading tackler last season with 83. He played middle linebacker his first two years in Detroit and then moved to the outside.

--The Denver Broncos are asking pass-rushing specialist Elvis Dumervil to restructure his contract, according to multiple reports.

Dumervil is due to receive $12 million next season and the Broncos want to renegotiate because their payroll includes quarterback's Peyton Manning $20 million salary and defensive back Champ Bailey's 10 million salary.

If Dumervil and the Broncos fail to reach a deal at a more manageable cap figure, Denver might release him and seek the likes of Dwight Freeney in the free-agent market, NFL.com reported.

--NFL commissioner Roger Goodell continues his express his strong desire to turn football into a safer sport.

Speaking Wednesday at the University of North Carolina, Goodell said the game's overall health and survival depends upon adapting to rules and equipment that reduce injuries.

"There is a national conversation taking place about football," Goodell said, according to ProFootballTalk.com. "We welcome it ... looking at changes to the game not as something to be feared but as something we need to do as if the future of the game relies on it. Because it does. The risk of injury in football is well known, but throughout history, football has evolved and become safer and better."

--Quarterback Vince Young told NFL Network that he recently wrote to Jeff Fisher, his former head coach, and apologized for the manner in which he conducted himself during their joint time with the Tennessee Titans. Fisher is now head coach of the St. Louis Rams, while Young is looking for work after being cut by the Bills before the start of last season.

Young, 29, never got another job in 2012. He will work out for scouts March 26 during the pro day at the University of Texas, his alma mater.