Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh says door closed on return to NFLVideo
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh said Tuesday that the door is closed on his potential return to the NFL. Harbaugh said he took a look at possibly coaching the Minnesota Vikings — interviewing with them last month on signing day — to find out if he wanted...
Hall of Famer, Jackson State coach Deion Sanders has 2 toes amputated after medical setbackVideo
Deion Sanders had two toes on his left foot amputated because of blood clots stemming from a previous surgery. The Jackson State coach and NFL Hall of Famer revealed the severity of his foot injury in an episode of his “Coach Prime” documentary series that will air Tuesday night on...
Dolphins place franchise tag on former Penn State tight end Mike GesickiVideo
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Mike Gesicki is getting a big raise from the Miami Dolphins. What remains unclear is if he’ll be getting a longer deal. The Dolphins on Tuesday placed the franchise tag for the coming season on Gesicki, ensuring the tight end will be back for 2022 and...
AP sources: Seahawks agree to trade QB Russell Wilson to BroncosVideo
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos have finally landed a worthy successor to Peyton Manning. Six years and a day after Manning retired, Broncos general manager George Paton agreed to send a massive haul of players and draft picks to the Seattle Seahawks for nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback Russell Wilson,...
Aaron Rodgers reportedly agrees to stay with Packers
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Aaron Rodgers is planning to come back to the Green Bay Packers for an 18th season, a move that keeps the reigning MVP off the trade market and answers the question that had dominated NFL offseason discussions. NFL Network and Pat McAfee, the host of “The...
Falcons WR Calvin Ridley suspended for ’22 for bets on NFL games
ATLANTA — Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley has been suspended for the 2022 season for betting on NFL games in 2021. The suspension announced by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Monday is for activity that took place while Ridley was away from the team addressing mental health concerns. The...
Browns place franchise tag on tight end David Njoku
CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Browns have placed a franchise tag for next season on tight end David Njoku, preventing him from hitting the free agent market. Njoku was one of the few bright spots last season for the Browns, who went 8-9 and missed the playoffs amid massive expectations. The...
AP: Bills grant wide receiver Cole Beasley permission to seek tradeVideo
BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills granted veteran receiver Cole Beasley permission to seek a trade, a person familiar with the discussions confirmed to the Associated Press on Friday. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the Bills were not going to formally announce the news. NFL.com first...
Trade talk overshadows marginal class of QBs in free agency
An underwhelming free agent class for quarterbacks is overshadowed by the possibility of multiple big names changing teams, most notably Aaron Rodgers. From the potential move of Rodgers out of Green Bay to the likely departure of San Francisco’s Jimmy Garoppolo despite the 49ers reaching another NFC championship game with...
Judge approves fix to stem race bias in NFL concussion deal
PHILADELPHIA — Black retired football players who were denied payments for dementia in the NFL’s $1 billion concussion settlement can seek to be retested or have their claims rescored to eliminate racial bias in the testing and payout formula, under a revised plan finalized Friday. Outrage over the use of...
NFL suspends all covid protocols, cites ‘encouraging trends’
The NFL suspended all aspects of its covid-19 protocols, citing recent trends showing that the spread of the coronavirus is declining. In an agreement with the players’ association, the league sent a memo to the 32 teams Thursday in which it mentioned “encouraging trends regarding the prevalence and severity of...
First Call: Joe Manganiello narrates Sidney Crosby doc; progress on Aaron Donald contract; Tom Brady update; Gronk to Bills?
In Thursday’s “First Call,” Hollywood star Joe Manganiello channels his Western Pennsylvania roots as narrator of a new Sidney Crosby documentary. Also, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers may not look kindly on Tom Brady going elsewhere if he comes out of retirement. The Buffalo Bills may try to bring Rob Gronkowski...
Giants add former Pittsburgh Passion player to coaching staff
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Giants have added a second woman to their coaching staff, and started clearing cap space for free agency by releasing veteran tight end Kyle Rudolph. Rudolph confirmed his release in a tweet. New coach Brian Daboll on Wednesday announced Angela Baker, a Carlynton...
U mad, bro?: Pittsburgh fans have early barbs for Penguins at trade deadline, the Pirates — even the Maulers
Two treats for this week’s “U mad, bro?” First, because of some scheduling quirks, it’s coming a day early. Second, Pittsburgh fans are so special, they have managed to work their way into complaining about a franchise that hasn’t even held its first practice, rules changes that haven’t even been...
NFL’s competition committee considers changing OT rulesVideo
INDIANAPOLIS — All the Buffalo Bills wanted in January was one more chance to beat Kansas City. Now they’re trying to make sure no NFL team begins the offseason as it did. On Tuesday, more than a month after enduring a crushing AFC divisional round loss without ever touching the...
NFL, Nielsen survey finds two-thirds of U.S. saw Super Bowl
LOS ANGELES — Approximately two-thirds of the United States watched the Super Bowl, according to a survey conducted by the National Football League and Nielsen. Nielsen reported the total audience on NBC, Telemundo, Peacock and NFL digital platforms averaged 112.3 million viewers for the Los Angeles Rams 23-20 victory over...
Cowboys QB Dak Prescott has surgery on non-throwing shoulder
INDIANAPOLIS — Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott had surgery on his non-throwing shoulder after the season, a procedure coach Mike McCarthy said was a clean up for an issue that isn’t a concern. McCarthy told reporters at the scouting combine Tuesday he expects Prescott to be available for offseason work....
Ellis L. Williams: Kenny Pickett does a lot the Carolina Panthers should like, but little to exciteVideo
Not everyone has lost faith in Panthers’ quarterback Sam Darnold. “I know everybody has kind of punted on Sam,” NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah said. “But golly, maybe I’m just a slave to my college grade, but I liked him so much coming out of USC, and you still think that’s...
Dolphins reportedly planned to pursue Sean Payton, Tom Brady this offseason
When the Miami Dolphins made the surprising move on Jan. 10 to fire former coach Brian Flores, many believed it had to mean there was a big-name coaching pursuit owner Steve Ross and the Dolphins were prepared to make. According to a report Monday morning, there was one — just...
Glitzier combine could help NFL make decision on host city
INDIANAPOLIS — This week’s stodgy, old NFL scouting combine is going Hollywood. The sound of silence will be replaced by music as players work out inside. Results and interviews will appear on Lucas Oil Stadium’s video boards and fans will be encouraged to cheer. Whether all these changes signal a...
Buccaneers Pro Bowl OL Ali Marpet retires at age 28
TAMPA, Fla. — Pro Bowl offensive lineman Ali Marpet caught the Tampa Bay Buccaneers off guard Sunday, announcing his retirement from the NFL at age 28. A second-round draft pick out of tiny Hobart College in 2015, Marpet became a starter at right guard as a rookie. He transitioned to...
Ex-Auburn, Chargers running back Lionel James dies at 59Video
AUBURN, Ala. — Former Auburn and San Diego Chargers running back Lionel James, who made a name for himself for being unstoppable despite his small stature, died Friday after a lengthy illness, the university said. He was 59. Auburn announced the death of James, a 5-foot-6 player nicknamed “Little Train,”...
Troy Aikman expected to leave Fox for ESPN ‘Monday Night’ booth
NFL free agency doesn’t begin for a few more weeks, however business is about to pick up when it comes to shuffling among the network broadcast teams with perhaps the biggest surprise of them all. Troy Aikman is expected to become the lead analyst on ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” after...
Packers GM says team will know ‘shortly’ on Aaron Rodgers’ decisionVideo
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said he’s not giving Aaron Rodgers any deadlines on when to decide on a possible return, and he believes the four-time MVP will reach a resolution soon. Rodgers has said he hasn’t made up his mind regarding his plans...
Judge: Deshaun Watson depositions can begin in assault suits
HOUSTON — A judge has declined efforts by attorneys for Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson to delay all his depositions in connection with lawsuits filed by 22 women who have accused him of sexual assault and harassment. During a court hearing on Monday, defense attorney Rusty Hardin had asked that...
