Analysis: Giants RB Saquon Barkley worth big money, but what has he turned down?
Saquon Barkley’s most passionate comment Sunday night in Jersey City was his last one. While lamenting teams’ suppression of the running back market by using the franchise tag, the former Penn State star pivoted into a detailed explanation of why not every running back’s situation is identical. Every team is,...
QB questions linger over 49ers headed into summer break
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Brock Purdy resumed his throwing program, Trey Lance looked healthy and showed off his improved mechanics and Sam Darnold got acclimated to a new offense. The San Francisco 49ers ended their offseason program and headed off for summer break with some encouraging signs about their quarterback...
Panthers hand first-team reps over to rookie QB Bryce YoungVideo
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Bryce Young’s time is now in Carolina. The Panthers have given Young the first-team reps in practice this week, a move coach Frank Reich called the next step in the rookie quarterback’s progression. Reich anticipates Young will continue to get first-team reps “for now” as the Panthers...
Minnesota Vikings releasing star running back Dalvin Cook for salary cap reasons, AP source says
MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Vikings are parting ways with star running back Dalvin Cook for salary cap savings after his fourth consecutive season surpassing the 1,000-yard rushing mark. Cook has been informed he will be released, a person familiar with the team’s decision told The Associated Press on Thursday. The...
Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa trying to ‘work on everything’ entering 4th NFL seasonVideo
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel wanted to see a “graduation” from Tua Tagovailoa entering his fourth year in the NFL and second in McDaniel’s system. In Year 1, the Dolphins starting quarterback had to learn and adapt weekly. In Year 2, McDaniel expects more command and...
49ers ‘ecstatic’ to have former Steeler Javon Hargrave on their side to bolster pass rushVideo
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Trent Williams had seen more than enough of Javon Hargrave in San Francisco’s NFC title game loss at Philadelphia to know what kind of impact he can have as an interior pass rusher. So when the All-Pro tackle found out this offseason that Hargrave was joining...
Mike McCarthy brings a Pittsburgh ‘edge’ to Cowboys offense
FRISCO, Texas — As coach Mike McCarthy takes over the play-calling for the Dallas Cowboys, All-Pro guard Zack Martin senses an edginess to the offense. Martin struggles to quantify the observation, other than to reference McCarthy’s blue-collar roots as a “Pittsburgh guy.” “I think it’s the accent,” McCarthy, a Greenfield...
Browns QB Deshaun Watson feeling confident, less burdened a year after NFL suspension
BEREA, Ohio — The uncertainty shrouding Deshaun Watson has lifted along with the intense scrutiny about his personal life. There’s a tightness and velocity to his passes these days and a noticeable change in his demeanor — on and off the field. There’s an ease about him. Nearly one year...
Bills’ Josh Allen named cover athlete for ‘Madden NFL 24’Video
It’s Josh Allen’s turn. Considered one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL, the Buffalo Bills star finally has received perhaps the league’s biggest offseason honor: the Madden cover. The iconic EA Sports video game premiered the trailer for this year’s edition, “Madden NFL 24,” on Wednesday morning. At the...
Titans bringing in 3-time All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins for visitVideo
NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans have a major need for help at wide receiver, and they will be the first NFL team to bring three-time All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins in for a free agent visit. They certainly could use his experience in a very young wide receiving group. Hopkins,...
Saints’ Michael Thomas returns for voluntary practices, praises new QB Derek CarrVideo
METAIRIE, La. — New Orleans Saints receiver Michael Thomas hardly stopped smiling as he fielded questions about his first chance this week to run routes for Derek Carr — the quarterback he helped recruit. “Just to come out here and be around the guys and the camaraderie, that’s what I...
Browns players robbed of jewelry, vehicle by masked men in downtown stickup
BEREA, Ohio — Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski expressed relief two of his defensive players were not physically harmed while being robbed at gunpoint by six masked men outside a downtown nightclub. According to Cleveland Police, the players had jewelry and a truck taken during the early morning stickup. Police...
Bills’ Damar Hamlin participates in team drills for 1st time this offseason
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — With a helmet on, Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin took part in team drills Tuesday for the first time this spring and some six months since having a near-death experience during a game. Hamlin appeared upbeat by happily waving to the cameras pointed at him during...
First Call: Longtime member of Steelers franchise retires; Penguins on fringes of potential goalie trade derby
The Pittsburgh Steelers are saying “thank you” to a longtime member of the organization. Some moves are being made in the AFC North. The Penguins are on the fringes of a potential offseason goalie derby. The Pirates got a little help in the standings. And tracking the San Francisco 49ers...
Buffalo Bills break ground on new $1.54 billion stadiumVideo
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — In preparing to break ground on the Buffalo Bills new stadium, owner Terry Pegula looked to the sky to deliver a message to his late predecessor and franchise founder, Ralph Wilson. “Ralph, we’re moving across the street,” Pegula said to an eruption of laughter from a...
Colts confirm NFL investigating player for possible gambling
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts said Monday they are aware the NFL has opened a gambling investigation into one of the team’s players but would not discuss any additional details. The confirmation came shortly after reports of a possible infraction of the league’s gambling policies first surfaced. The player under...
Reports: Leonard Floyd reunites with Von Miller after agreeing to 1-year deal with BillsVideo
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills reached an agreement to sign linebacker Leonard Floyd to a one-year contract in reuniting the player with fellow edge rusher, Von Miller, according to multiple reports. The 30-year-old Floyd is entering his eighth NFL season after spending the past three with the Los...
Buffalo safety Damar Hamlin launches CPR Tour to raise awareness at Bills stadiumVideo
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin kicked off a multicity tour at his home stadium Saturday to distribute medical equipment and promote techniques that helped save his life in January. Hamlin handed out automated external defibrillators for close to 50 youth sports and community organizations on the...
Shane Ray’s NFL comeback bid from wrist injury takes him from CFL to Buffalo BillsVideo
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Through the woe-is-me low points, wrist surgeries, mood swings, counseling sessions and tryout obstacles created by the covid-19 pandemic that Shane Ray experienced over the past five years, the one-time promising NFL edge rusher never lost sight of his desire to play football. If it meant...
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...
