Jalen Carter, top NFL prospect, posts bond in fatal crash
Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter turned himself in to Athens police Wednesday night and was released 16 minutes later after posting a combined bond of $4,000 on charges of reckless driving and racing in relation to a fatal crash that killed a teammate and team staffer. According to Athens-Clarke County...
Ravens GM still hopes to sign Lamar Jackson without franchise tag
INDIANAPOLIS — Baltimore general manager Eric DeCosta said Wednesday the Ravens have not decided which type of franchise tag they would use on quarterback Lamar Jackson if the team can’t sign him to a long-term contract before the start of free agency. Jackson has played to the end of his...
Buccaneers plan to release RB Leonard FournetteVideo
INDIANAPOLIS ― Bucs general manager Jason Licht raved about rookie running back Rachaad White and even backup Ke’Shawn Vaughn on Tuesday at the NFL scouting combine. Then a question was asked about Leonard Fournette. Licht paused. “I think Leonard Fournette still has several years left in him as a three-down...
Bills GM: Damar Hamlin’s return hinges on his medical progress
Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin has a few more visits to doctors before determining whether he can pursue his goal of returning to play football after going into cardiac arrest and having to be resuscitated on the field in January. In providing the update at the NFL combine in Indianapolis...
Falcons cut veteran QB Mariota, gain $12 million in cap room
ATLANTA — The Atlanta Falcons released quarterback Marcus Mariota on Tuesday, a move that was expected after the veteran was benched late in the season. The Falcons were 5-8 with Mariota as the starter before rookie Desmond Ridder started the final four games, winning two. “We really appreciate Marcus and...
Browns plan to release veteran safety John Johnson III
CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Browns have opened another hole in their defense. General manager Andrew Berry said Tuesday that the team will release veteran safety John Johnson III, who signed a three-year $33.75 million contract as a free agent two years ago. Johnson hasn’t lived up to his big deal,...
First Call: NFL considers onside kick replacement; pitching Tee Higgins to Pats; Connor McDavid pushing Mario-esque pace
In Tuesday’s “First Call,” could Tee Higgins go from one AFC rival of the Pittsburgh Steelers to another? We consider some NFL rules changes. Connor McDavid is on a Mario Lemieux-esque scoring pace. And the Pitt Panthers are enjoying success on the ice as well as the hardwood. Rules are...
Browns hire Bill Musgrave as offensive coaching assistant
CLEVELAND — Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski continued to overhaul his coaching staff following a 7-10 season Monday, hiring Bill Musgrave as a senior offensive adviser and making several other changes. Stefanski’s offseason has included firing defensive coordinator Joe Woods and special teams coordinator Mike Priefer. They were replaced by...
Commanders release quarterback Carson Wentz after 1 season
The Washington Commanders released Carson Wentz on Monday, an expected move that puts an end to the one-season experiment with the veteran quarterback that did not work out. After giving up draft picks to acquire him in a trade with Indianapolis last March, the Commanders were able to get out...
Browns hire Chartiers Valley grad Bubba Ventrone as special teams coordinator
CLEVELAND — Ray “Bubba” Ventrone has been hired as Cleveland’s special teams coordinator, returning to the Browns as a coach after playing for the team. Ventrone, a Chartiers Valley graduate, replaces Mike Priefer, who was fired earlier this week after four seasons filled with inconsistency by his units. Ventrone had...
U mad, bro?: Frustration around Mike Tomlin’s ‘standard,’ slumping Penguins, Pitt being unranked, Gerrit Cole’s quip
One thing that is wonderful about Pittsburgh sports fans is that they do not discriminate when it comes to their angst. The Steelers, Pirates, Penguins, Pitt, college basketball … even the XFL! This week’s “U mad, bro?” illustrates how all-encompassing of a community we truly have in this great city....
Titans release Taylor Lewan, Robert Woods, Randy Bullock
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — New Tennessee Titans general manager Ran Carthon started clearing up some much-needed salary cap space Wednesday. The Titans announced they released three-time Pro Bowl left tackle Taylor Lewan for a failed physical and also released veteran wide receiver Robert Woods and kicker Randy Bullock. They later released...
AP source: Commanders finalizing hire of Eric Bieniemy as OC
Eric Bieniemy is finalizing terms of a deal to become the Washington Commanders’ offensive coordinator and assistant head coach, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. The person spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity Friday because the deal was not yet completed. It’s expected to...
RB Aaron Jones staying with Packers under restructured dealVideo
Running back Aaron Jones agreed to remain with the Green Bay Packers on a restructured deal with a reduced salary for the upcoming season. Drew Rosenhaus, Jones’ agent, said Jones will make $11 million in 2023 — including an $8.52 million signing bonus — rather than the $16 million he...
Reports: QB Derek Carr meeting with Jets this weekendVideo
Free-agent quarterback Derek Carr is meeting with the New York Jets this weekend, according to a person familiar with the situation. The 31-year-old Carr, who spent his first nine NFL seasons with the Raiders, was released by Las Vegas on Tuesday after he declined to waive the no-trade clause in...
Same ol’ same ol’: No progress for Black head coaches in NFL
After completing the latest round of coaching hires this week, the NFL won’t look much different on the sidelines in 2023. DeMeco Ryans was the lone Black candidate to land one of the five openings, which means the 32-team league remains stuck at three Black coaches heading toward a new...
Saints’ Alvin Kamara indicted in 2022 Vegas nightclub fightVideo
LAS VEGAS — A grand jury in Nevada has indicted New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara, Cincinnati Bengals newly acquired cornerback Chris Lammons and two others on two criminal counts in connection with an alleged beating at a Las Vegas nightclub last February. The Clark County grand jury handed...
Saints hire Kiski Area graduate Joe Woods as defensive coordinatorVideo
METAIRIE, La. — The New Orleans Saints hired Kiski Area graduate Joe Woods as defensive coordinator Wednesday. Saints coach Dennis Allen also added defensive line coach Todd Grantham, secondary coach Marcus Robertson, tight ends coach Clancy Barone and assistant offensive line coach Kevin Carberry. Woods spent the past three seasons...
Damar Hamlin apologizes for jacket worn at Super Bowl
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin said Wednesday he never intended to offend anyone for attending the Super Bowl wearing a jacket that critics deemed to feature an offensive depiction of Jesus. “After talking with my parents I understand how my coat could have offended some people,” Hamlin...
Eagles face offseason of new coaches, free agent moves
PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Eagles’ makeover is already underway. Only two days after a crushing Super Bowl loss to Kansas City, some Eagles are ready to move on — especially the coaching staff. Offensive coordinator Shane Steichen was named head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, and defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon...
Raiders officially release quarterback Derek Carr
LAS VEGAS — The Raiders have released longtime quarterback Derek Carr. Carr’s release came before a 1 p.m. Tuesday deadline that would have triggered a $40.4 million roster guarantee. It also means he is immediately free to begin negotiating a contract with other teams. From the Raiders’ perspective, cutting Carr...
Cardinals hire Eagles coordinator Jonathan Gannon as next coach
TEMPE, Ariz. — The Arizona Cardinals hired Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon on Tuesday to be their next head coach. Gannon replaces Kliff Kingsbury, who was fired last month after going 4-13 in his fourth season. Gannon becomes Arizona’s fourth coach in seven years and the second Eagles coordinator...
Chiefs revel in Super Bowl win, then get into offseason work
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Andy Reid isn’t done yet. Patrick Mahomes isn’t going anywhere, either. Chad Henne is heading off in retirement but otherwise the Kansas City Chiefs have very few holes to address heading into the offseason, which is why they already have been tabbed the favorites to defend...
Ravens hire Georgia’s Todd Monken to be offensive coordinator
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Baltimore Ravens have hired Georgia’s Todd Monken to be their offensive coordinator, they announced Tuesday. Monken arrives after three seasons in the same role at Georgia, which last month won its second consecutive national championship. Baltimore coach John Harbaugh said the team conducted 21 interviews...
Colts hire Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen as their head coach
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts have hired Shane Steichen as their head coach. The move announced Tuesday ends a search that took more than a month, involved more than a dozen candidates and finally gives the Colts some direction in what still appears to be a tumultuous offseason. A news...