Depreciating value of NFL running back contracts dismays Hall of Famer Thurman Thomas
Thurman Thomas’ voice rose with a bubbling intensity, expressing dismay over how the running back position has depreciated in value in today’s NFL. It’s bad enough for the Hall of Famer to see how disposable the game’s top running backs have become, with Christian McCaffrey, Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry...
Al Golden prepares for regular-season debut as Bengals defensive coordinator
CINCINNATI — Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Al Golden has been in coaching for 30 years. When Cincinnati opens its season Sunday at the Cleveland Browns, Golden will call defensive plays in the NFL for the first time. “I’m excited,” Golden said. “Ready to go. It’s been a collaborative effort on...
Cowboys sign NFL pick-6 record-holder DaRon Bland to $92 million, 4-year extension
FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys signed cornerback DaRon Bland to a $92 million, four-year contract extension on Sunday, four days before the NFL opener at defending champ and NFC East rival Philadelphia. Bland set an NFL record with five interception returns for touchdowns in 2023, when he also led...
Former Steeler, current Jet Justin Fields looks to become NFL’s next late-blooming QBVideo
Justin Fields would seem to have the numbers — and odds — stacked against him. The New York Jets quarterback is on his third team in as many years, learning his third offensive system in that span and being coached by a fourth coordinator during an NFL career entering only...
Schottenheimer takes Parsons trade in stride and Cowboys newcomer Clark says watch his film
FRISCO, Texas — Brian Schottenheimer will make his head coaching debut with the Dallas Cowboys a week after losing elite pass rusher Micah Parsons, probably his best player, in a trade with Green Bay. The longtime NFL assistant and son of the late Marty Schottenheimer, a 200-game winner in the...
New England Patriots’ roster shuffle continues with release of safety Jabrill Peppers
The New England Patriots released safety Jabrill Peppers on Friday, marking the latest shakeup of the team’s roster under new coach Mike Vrabel. The 29-year-old Peppers, who was entering his fourth year in New England, made the Patriots’ initial 53-man roster and was expected to start alongside Kyle Dugger in...
From Pittsburgh to Las Vegas: Kenny Pickett’s journey to prove himself under Pete Carroll
HENDERSON, Nev. — Coach Pete Carroll’s first Raiders roster is made up of players, he said, who have something to prove, who carry the proverbial chips on their shoulders. One of the newest Las Vegas players, backup quarterback Kenny Pickett, is the epitome of that kind of attitude. “Well, anybody...
At U.S. Open, Billie Jean King always has answers
NEW YORK — Life on the professional tennis tour can be challenging. Billie Jean King knows a thing or two about that — and she’s happy to share. Two days before the start of singles competition the U.S. Open, King sat around a table in Arthur Ashe Stadium with 16...
Cowboys trade Micah Parsons to Green Bay Packers
Micah Parsons is headed to the Green Bay Packers after a blockbuster trade Thursday, leaving the Dallas Cowboys after a lengthy contract dispute. The two-time All-Pro edge rusher confirmed the deal in a text to the Associated Press. A person with knowledge of the details said Parsons and the Packers...
Chargers’ Najee Harris returns to practice after July 4 fireworks mishap and could play in opener
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Najee Harris practiced Wednesday for the first time since the Los Angeles Chargers running back injured his eye in a July 4 fireworks mishap. The team activated him from the non-football injury/illness list, making him eligible to play in the Chargers’ season-opening game against Kansas City...
YouTube TV reaches ‘short-term extension’ in dispute with Fox, warding off immediate disruptions
NEW YORK — YouTube TV says it’s reached a “short-term extension” in its contract dispute with Fox, meaning subscribers of the Google-owned streamer won’t see immediate disruptions of Fox channels on the platform. The current carriage agreement between YouTube TV and Fox originally faced a Wednesday afternoon deadline — with...
49ers agree to 1-year deal with receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, AP source says
The San Francisco 49ers bolstered their banged-up receiver corps by agreeing to a one-year deal with Marquez Valdes-Scantling after he was cut by Seattle, a person with knowledge of the deal said Wednesday. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been...
Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice is suspended 6 games by NFL, beginning with opener next week in Brazil
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice has been suspended six games for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy, keeping him out of a series of high-profile games starting with next week’s season opener against the Chargers in Brazil. Rice pleaded guilty about six weeks ago to two...
Ex-NFL quarterback Jay Cutler sentenced to 4 days in jail after DUI arrest
Former NFL quarterback Jay Cutler accepted a guilty plea on Tuesday for a 2024 DUI in Tennessee. Under the agreement, Cutler will serve four days at the Williamson County Jail, beginning by the end of the month. He was also ordered to pay a $350 fine, will be placed on...
Browns’ Dillon Gabriel selected as backup QB after Kenny Pickett trade
BEREA, Ohio — Dillon Gabriel’s performance in the final two preseason games appeared to be enough for the Cleveland Browns to go with three quarterbacks instead of four. Coach Kevin Stefanski selected the rookie third-round pick as Joe Flacco’s backup Tuesday after the initial 53-man roster was set. Gabriel looked...
Saints select Spencer Rattler to open the season as their QB over rookie Tyler Shough
METAIRIE, La. — Spencer Rattler will be the New Orleans Saints’ starting quarterback when the club opens the regular season at home against Arizona, first-year coach Kellen Moore said Tuesday. “He’s just been consistent, he’s made some really good decisions throughout this whole entire process and his ability to make...
Tommy DeVito is the latest QB being released as teams must trim rosters to 53
Tommy DeVito is among the quarterbacks looking for a new team. The New York Giants waived the local fan favorite Tuesday as teams released more than 1,100 players before the deadline to trim rosters to 53. Elsewhere, Kyle Trask lost his job as Baker Mayfield’s backup in Tampa Bay after...
Raiders bring back Amari Cooper; Jakobi Meyers reportedly requests trade
HENDERSON, Nev. — Wide receiver Jakobi Meyers requested a trade from the Las Vegas Raiders after failing to reach an agreement on a contract extension, a person with knowledge of the situation told the Associated Press on Monday. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because they...
Browns trade QB Kenny Pickett to the Raiders, where he’ll back up Geno Smith
Kenny Pickett is on the move again. The Browns traded Pickett to Las Vegas on Monday night for a fifth-round draft pick in 2026, giving the Raiders a proven backup quarterback and clearing the way for two rookies to back up Joe Flacco in Cleveland. It’s the third time in...
Trey Hendrickson, Bengals reach agreement on 1-year deal worth $30 million, AP sources say
All-Pro edge rusher Trey Hendrickson and the Cincinnati Bengals have agreed on a new one-year contract, ending his hold-in, three people with knowledge of the deal told the Associated Press on Monday. The people spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the team hasn’t announced the contract. Hendrickson...
Texans’ Joe Mixon to miss at least 4 games because of foot injury
HOUSTON — Running back Joe Mixon will miss at least the first four games of the regular season after the Houston Texans announced Monday that they will place him on the reserve/non-football injury list this week. Mixon has been on the active/non-football injury list since the start of camp after...
Former NFL players helped educate current players about league’s sports betting policies
Former players helped the NFL educate current players about the league’s sports betting policies during the annual training camp visits. Each head coach was also asked to kick off the educational sessions to emphasize the importance of the topic. At least 15 players have been suspended by the league for...
Commanders agree with Terry McLaurin on a 3-year extension worth $96 million, AP source says
The Washington Commanders and top wide receiver Terry McLaurin have agreed on a three-year contract extension worth $96 million, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Monday. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been announced. McLaurin...
Mark Madden: Cutting Shedeur Sanders is best decision for the Browns, which is why they won’t
The Cleveland Browns should cut Shedeur Sanders. It’s stupid to have a backup quarterback who is a constant topic of heated debate nationally and locally. It’s distracting and counterproductive. Cutting Sanders means absorbing heat for a few weeks, perhaps a bit longer. Then it goes away. Sanders certainly wouldn’t be...
Kevin Stefanski defends handling of Shedeur Sanders after Browns preseason finale
CLEVELAND — Coach Kevin Stefanski defended his handling of Shedeur Sanders’ development after the Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback struggled in Saturday’s preseason finale against the Los Angeles Rams. Stefanski addressed claims that he deliberately was hindering Sanders’ progress, particularly after replacing him with Tyler Huntley, who led the game-winning drive....
