Packers debate term ‘rebuild’ as they adjust to life without Aaron RodgersVideo
GREEN BAY, Wis. — The exit of four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers has led to some debate among the Green Bay Packers regarding exactly what constitutes a rebuild. Most Packers insist they’re not rebuilding even as they try to break in new starting quarterback Jordan Love after getting three decades of...
Browns’ Watson makes pitch for Hopkins to reunite with him in ClevelandVideo
ROCKY RIVER, Ohio — Standing a few feet from a golf green, Deshaun Watson made a pitch for DeAndre Hopkins to join him in Cleveland. The Browns quarterback said Tuesday that he has spoken to Hopkins, his close friend and former Houston teammate, and encouraged the three-time All-Pro wide receiver...
Analysis: NFL can’t shake perception it doesn’t care what players and coaches thinkVideo
Even when the NFL institutes a rule designed to reduce concussions, it can’t shake the perception that it doesn’t care what players and coaches think. The league took a step toward eliminating kickoffs this week by enhancing the touchback rule for a one-year trial with a priority on player safety....
Arizona Cardinals release receiver DeAndre Hopkins
TEMPE, Ariz. — The DeAndre Hopkins era is over for the Arizona Cardinals, who are on the hook for quite an expensive breakup. The Cardinals released the three-time All-Pro wide receiver in a salary cap move Friday after they failed to find a trading partner in the offseason. Arizona made...
New Russell Wilson: Trimmer body and lower public profile
There’s a lot less of Russell Wilson this offseason. No more hype videos bombarding social media, no more chronicles of every globetrotting trip, no more merchandise pitches or cringey catchphrases. And apparently, fewer gourmet meals, too. “I feel lean and mean and ready to go,” said Wilson, who looked noticeably...
Tight end Darren Waller brings size, speed and a big-play threat to GiantsVideo
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Less than two months after being acquired in a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders, tight end Darren Waller has impressed his new teammates on the New York Giants. The 2020 Pro Bowler has worked hard in the meeting rooms and indoor workouts, gotten to know...
Davante Adams says he fully backs Raiders management, QB Jimmy GaroppoloVideo
HENDERSON, Nev. — Davante Adams had a clear message to send Thursday, and he spent 2 1/2 minutes answering the first media question posed to him to show he is fully on board for the Las Vegas Raiders. Adams was quoted in The Ringer earlier this month appearing to question...
Foot injury could keep Jimmy Garoppolo out of Raiders practices until July
HENDERSON, Nev. — New Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is not taking part in organized team activities as he continues to recover from a broken left foot. Coach Josh McDaniels said Thursday that Garoppolo could be held out until July when training camp begins. McDaniels said Garoppolo is one...
Za’Darius Smith excited to have ‘hand in the dirt’ with Browns, team with Myles GarrettVideo
CLEVELAND — Za’Darius Smith has dropped down to touch his literal football roots. “Hand in the dirt,” he said. Of all the reasons Smith is excited to be with the Cleveland Browns — a fresh start, playing on a defensive line with Myles Garrett, being back in the AFC North...
49ers QB Trey Lance happy in San Francisco despite uncertain status
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Trey Lance has no desire for a fresh start even though his path to becoming the franchise quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers has many roadblocks. After the Niners traded three first-round picks to draft him third overall in 2021, Lance has started only four games...
Lamar Jackson at voluntary practice for Ravens after skipping last year’s
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Lamar Jackson has a simple explanation for why he decided to participate in voluntary practices for the Baltimore Ravens this year. “New offense,” he said. “Had to get that down pat before the season rolls in. Because the season’s getting nearer, even though we got a...
Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes: ‘I’m about legacy and winning rings more than making money’Video
Patrick Mahomes would rather win Super Bowls than worry about making the most money. That doesn’t mean the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback hasn’t seen what’s been happening across the NFL. Mahomes signed a 10-year, $450 million extension in 2020 that set the bar for quarterbacks, but it already has been...
Where’s Stefon Diggs? Von Miller not concerned by Bills WR skipping OTAsVideo
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Von Miller isn’t the least bit concerned about Buffalo Bills teammate Stefon Diggs missing voluntary spring practices. Nor is the veteran pass rusher reading anything into the cryptic messages the receiver posted on his social media accounts this offseason. Miller is too familiar with Diggs’ competitive...
No. 2 pick Stroud competing for starting job with Houston Texans
HOUSTON — The Houston Texans aren’t simply handing C.J. Stroud the starting job despite drafting the quarterback second overall in this year’s draft. The Ohio State star worked with the second-team offense Tuesday while last year’s starter Davis Mills ran with the starters. “This team has been very accepting of...
Saints’ Foster Moreau gratefully returns to football field after cancer scareVideo
METAIRIE, La. — Saints newly acquired tight end Foster Moreau refers to his recent cancer diagnosis as “a life sentence.” He will always have to monitor it, he said. But at the moment, he no longer requires treatment and is returning to football “full steam ahead.” “I’ll continue to fight...
NFL, Roger Goodell close to finalizing 3-year contract extension through 2027Video
EAGAN, Minn. — Commissioner Roger Goodell and the NFL agreed on the framework of a three-year contract extension that will keep him in place until 2027, Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay confirmed Tuesday at the league meetings. Goodell’s current deal expires in 2024. He has been commissioner of the league...
Aaron Rodgers strains calf during warmups, sits out 1st Jets practice open to mediaVideo
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Aaron Rodgers never made it past warmups in his first New York Jets practice in front of the media. The 39-year-old quarterback, acquired last month from Green Bay, strained a calf while participating in conditioning drills Tuesday. Rodgers watched quarterback drills and remained on the field...
NFL expects kickoff return reduction with trial of fair catch rule inside 25
EAGAN, Minn. — The NFL has pushed the kickoff return further toward irrelevance with a priority on player safety. League owners voted Tuesday for a one-year trial of an enhanced touchback rule that will give the receiving team the ball at its own 25 with a fair catch of a...
Bills safety Damar Hamlin eases back into practice 5 months since near-death experience
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Wearing shorts and his familiar No. 3 blue practice jersey, Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin began easing his way back into football during the team’s voluntary minicamp on Tuesday, some five months after having a near-death experience on the field. The only thing missing was his...
Tom Brady agrees to deal for ownership stake in Las Vegas Raiders
Tom Brady has reached a deal to become a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, according to reports. The seven-time Super Bowl champion’s agreement with Raiders owner Mark Davis now is pending approval by the NFL, CBS Sports reported Monday. Brady, 45, retired from the NFL in February after...
NFL approves emergency 3rd QB after 49ers’ injury woes in NFC title game
EAGAN, Minn. — NFL owners approved a rule change Monday that allows teams to play an emergency quarterback from the inactive list if the first two are injured during a game, a decision that stems from San Francisco’s depth-chart challenge in the NFC championship game. The bylaw initially was proposed...
Mark Madden’s Hot Take: Jim Brown remembered as best football player ever
Few sports have a player who unequivocally can be declared the game’s best ever. Hockey produces a debate between Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux and Bobby Orr. With basketball it’s LeBron James and Michael Jordan. In baseball, options are plentiful: Hank Aaron, Barry Bonds, Willie Mays, Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, etc....
All-time NFL great running back, social activist Jim Brown dead at 87
CLEVELAND — Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Brown, an unstoppable running back who retired at the peak of his brilliant career to become an actor as well as a prominent civil rights advocate during the 1960s, has died. He was 87. A spokeswoman for Brown’s family said he passed...
Damar Hamlin honored with PFWA Halas Award for overcoming adversityVideo
Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, who is working on his return to the field after having gone into cardiac arrest during a game in January, was selected as the winner of the 2023 George Halas Award. The Professional Football Writers of America on Monday announced the 55th winner of the...
Peacock will exclusively carry NFL playoff game in a first for streaming service
The NFL is taking another big step into streaming by putting one of its playoff games exclusively on a digital platform for the first time. The league and NBCUniversal announced Monday that the Saturday night game on Wild Card weekend will be on Peacock. The Peacock exclusive game on Jan....
