49ers agree to deal with DT Javon Hargrave
The San Francisco 49ers made a big addition to their stellar defense, agreeing to a four-year, $84 million contract with star defensive tackle Javon Hargrave. A person familiar with the deal said the sides reached agreement on Monday on the first day teams were allowed to negotiate with free agents...
Reports: Commanders, DT Daron Payne agree on $90M, 4-year dealVideo
The Washington Commanders are keeping Daron Payne around, thanks to the second-biggest contract for a defensive tackle behind only seven-time All-Pro Aaron Donald. The Commanders agreed to terms with Payne on a four-year contract worth $90 million, with $60 million guaranteed, according to a person with knowledge of the deal....
AP sources: Rams trading All-Pro CB Jalen Ramsey to DolphinsVideo
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The Miami Dolphins are acquiring All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey in a trade with the Los Angeles Rams, two people with knowledge of the deal told the Associated Press on Sunday. The Rams will get Miami’s third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and tight end Hunter...
New Saints QB Derek Carr embraces chance to ‘reinvent’ himself
METAIRIE, La. — For newly signed New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr, moving to town will mean learning new terminology — and not merely in the playbook. “Everybody’s saying words to me and I’m like, ‘What does that mean?’ ” Carr said with a grin in relaying his interactions with...
Bud Grant, stoic coach of powerful Vikings teams, dies at 95
MINNEAPOLIS — Bud Grant, the stoic and demanding Hall of Fame coach who took the Minnesota Vikings and their mighty Purple People Eaters defense to four Super Bowls in eight years and lost all of them, died Saturday. He was 95. The Vikings announced Grant’s death on social media. “We...
President says Packers would honor trade request from Aaron Rodgers
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Green Bay Packers president/CEO Mark Murphy confirmed the team granted the New York Jets permission to talk with Aaron Rodgers and would honor a trade request if the four-time MVP quarterback makes one. Murphy made those comments Friday while speaking during a broadcast of the Wisconsin...
AP Source: Miami to pick up Tua Tagovailoa’s 5th-year option
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The Miami Dolphins are picking up the fifth-year option on quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s contract, a person familiar with the deal told the Associated Press on Friday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the Dolphins had not officially announced the deal. Tagovailoa, whom Miami drafted...
Future of Lamar Jackson, Aaron Rodgers clouds free agency
NFL free agency kicks off next week and the biggest questions surround two star quarterbacks who aren’t on the list. Will Aaron Rodgers retire, return to Green Bay or get traded to the Jets or another team? Will Lamar Jackson get a contract offer from any team knowing Baltimore can...
Mark Madden: Breaking the bank for Lamar Jackson doesn’t make sense
It’s comical that every ex-player in the football media is throwing a fit because quarterback Lamar Jackson isn’t getting what he wants, namely fully guaranteed mega-bucks. NFL teams have plenty of legit reasons to not want Jackson at the price he’s looking for. • Jackson is just 26 but plays...
Panthers acquire No. 1 overall pick from Bears
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Carolina Panthers are on the clock. The Panthers have traded up to acquire the No. 1 overall pick in the draft from the Chicago Bears in exchange for Carolina’s No. 9 and No. 61 overall picks in 2023, a first-round pick in 2024, a second-round pick...
Jets agree on deal with Ravens to acquire S Chuck Clark
The New York Jets are acquiring veteran safety Chuck Clark from the Baltimore Ravens, according to a person with knowledge of the trade. New York agreed Thursday to send a seventh-round draft pick in 2024 to Baltimore, the person told the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because teams can’t...
Analysis: Daniel Jones’ new contract with Giants raises standard for QBsVideo
Daniel Jones turned one decent season into a mega-money contract that raises the standard in the NFL. Once the New York Giants gave Jones a deal worth $160 million over four years — $82 million is reportedly guaranteed for the first two seasons — the price tag went up for...
Witnesses: Michael Irvin’s encounter with woman was friendlyVideo
DALLAS — Two men who were in a Phoenix hotel lobby the night that Hall of Fame wide receiver Michael Irvin was accused of misconduct with a female employee said Wednesday they didn’t see him do anything wrong and that his brief interaction with the woman appeared friendly. Phil Watkins...
Lamar Jackson gets nonexclusive tag from Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens announced Tuesday that they were designating Lamar Jackson as their franchise player, preventing him from becoming an unrestricted free agent this month after the expiration of his rookie contract. A person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press that Jackson was receiving the nonexclusive version...
NFL combine catching up to evolving state of receivers
INDIANAPOLIS — NFL teams might have considered Zay Flowers a one-dimensional wide receiver a decade or two ago. Today, the 5-foot-9, 182-pound former Boston College star understands he cannot rely solely on his 4.42-second speed to make plays. He must be a more complete player. So Flowers spent last season...
Tom Brady, Orlando Brown prove combine flops can become NFL starsVideo
Long before the NFL’s annual scouting combine became a prime-time football fix for fans ahead of free agency and the draft, Mike Mamula absolutely killed it as a combine trailblazer in 1995. He was among the first players to train specifically for the staple of tests he’d face at the...
Seahawks, QB Geno Smith agree on 3-year deal
RENTON, Wash. — The Seattle Seahawks have agreed to terms with quarterback Geno Smith on a three-year contract that keeps the AP comeback player of the year in the Pacific Northwest. Two people with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press the sides reached an agreement on Monday. It...
Reports: Raiders place franchise tag on RB Josh JacobsVideo
HENDERSON, Nev. — Josh Jacobs, who led the NFL in rushing last season, received the franchise tag from the Las Vegas Raiders, a person familiar with the situation said Monday. NFL Network first reported the Raiders’ decision. Jacobs would make $10.1 million next season under the franchise tag. The sides...
NFL reinstates Jaguars WR Calvin Ridley after gambling suspensionVideo
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The NFL reinstated suspended receiver Calvin Ridley on Monday, clearing the way for him to join his new team in Jacksonville. The league said Ridley, who had been suspended indefinitely since March 2022 for violating the NFL’s gambling policy, is eligible to participate in all team activities...
Ex-Raider Ruggs’ felony DUI case stalled by fight over judge
LAS VEGAS — A Nevada judge will again be asked to decide which justice of the peace should handle a preliminary hearing in the case against former Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III, who is accused of killing a woman in drunken car crash in 2021. Las Vegas...
Ex-Raider Derek Carr agrees to 4-year contract with Saints
NEW ORLEANS — Former Raiders quarterback Derek Carr has agreed to a four-year contract with the New Orleans Saints, and a person familiar with the situation said the deal could be worth up to $150 million. The person spoke to The Associated Press about the contract’s value on condition of...
Bryce Young’s height creates new debate for scouts at NFL combine
INDIANAPOLIS — Bryce Young provided one answer Saturday at the NFL’s annual scouting combine: He stands 5-foot-10 1/8 inches and weighs 204 pounds. Next question: Will his small frame hurt his draft stock? Team scouts and decision-makers now have nearly eight weeks to debate whether to make Young the first...
Sean Payton near top of NFL Coach of the Year odds. Where do other coaches land?
BY JIM DERRY | Home Field Sports It’s clear the Denver Broncos made Sean Payton their No. 1 target for acquisition this offseason. Now that they have won in their pursuit, how much better will it make them? Will quarterback Russell Wilson have a chance to revive his career? According...
At NFL combine, college experience seen as a winning play
INDIANAPOLIS — Linebacker Ochaun Mathis went all-in by betting an extra year of college football could help him make an NFL roster. He knew entering the league at age 24 was a risky proposition, given most players’ careers end at about 25. He knew scouts and team decision-makers would likely...
Panthers founder, former owner Jerry Richardson dies at 86Video
CHARLOTTE, N.C — Jerry Richardson, the Carolina Panthers founder and for years one of the NFL’s most influential owners until a scandal forced him to sell the team, has died. He was 86. Richardson died peacefully Wednesday night at his Charlotte home, the team said in a statement. Richardson became...
