The Green Bay Packers signed Pro Bowl defensive lineman Kenny Clark to a contract extension, the team announced Sunday.Green Bay didn't announce terms of the agreement, but NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports it's a three-year, $64-million deal. Clark's new contract reportedly includes $29 million in 2024.The extension also has a $17.5-million signing bonus, a source told Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.A key member of Green Bay's front four, he had only one season left on a four-year, $70-million extension he inked in 2020. Clark now ranks 10th among defensive tackles in average annual salary, according to Spotrac. Chris Jones of the Kansas City Chiefs tops the position at $31.7 million.Clark, a three-time Pro Bowler, has played all eight of his NFL seasons and made 123 appearances with the Packers, who drafted him in the first round in 2016.Originally a nose tackle with standout run defense ability, Clark has contributed more as a pass-rusher in recent years. The 28-year-old set career highs with 7.5 sacks and 16 QB hits in 2023 while racking up 44 tackles (nine for loss) and forcing two fumbles.He headlines a strong Packers defensive front featuring interior lineman Devonte Wyatt and edge rushers Rashan Gary and Preston Smith, among others.With Clark's new deal presumably reducing his 2024 cap hit, the Packers should have more salary-cap flexibility to get a deal done with quarterback Jordan Love as the sides continue to negotiate a new contract.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh is tired of the criticism faced by Lamar Jackson.The Ravens began their training camp practice on Sunday without the star quarterback in attendance due to an illness, and Harbaugh addressed the criticism of the reigning NFL MVP in recent years, saying it doesn't make any sense and that Baltimore views Jackson as someone who will eventually become the GOAT."There's a lot of great things said about Lamar," Harbaugh said. "But there's a lot of stuff that's said that you gotta just scratch your head about and kind of wonder, 'What's that person even thinking?' We take it personally. All his life, Lamar Jackson has been answering those same questions."Harbaugh continued, "So the thing for me is talking about vision. It's a vision. And I believe the Ravens, we always had a vision for Lamar Jackson. It started with Lamar's vision and his mom's vision when he said he was going to be a quarterback. ... The vision we have together is that Lamar Jackson is going to become, and be known, and be recognized as the greatest quarterback to ever play in the history of the National Football League. That's the vision."Jackson has put on a show since entering the NFL as the 32nd overall pick in 2018. A polarizing prospect who had stellar athletic ability but questionable passing potential, Jackson led the league with 36 touchdown passes in 2019 and set the QB record for most rushing yards in a single season (1,206) before becoming the second player ever to be named MVP unanimously (Tom Brady).Widely considered an all-time-great rushing QB, Jackson helped Baltimore post a 13-3 record in 2023 en route to earning his second career MVP. He's one of only 11 players with multiple NFL MVP awards. The 27-year-old owns a regular-season record of 58-19 since turning pro.Despite his success in the regular season, Jackson is criticized for failing to lead the Ravens to a Super Bowl appearance. He's only 2-4 in the playoffs with six touchdown passes against six interceptions."He's still growing. He's got a growth mindset. He's going to get better and better no doubt. But what does he have to do to prove himself to some people, right?" Harbaugh added.The sideline boss also explained Jackson's absence on Sunday."He started getting sick yesterday midday, was in the meetings ... so he was sent home by the doctors," said Harbaugh, who added that he doesn't know when the passer will be back on the field.Baltimore signed Jackson to a five-year, $260-million extension in April 2023.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Joe Mixon has been less effective in recent years, but he doesn't think that has anything to do with age ahead of his 28th birthday. The Houston Texans running back actually believes his production will increase significantly in 2024 when compared to his previous campaign with the Cincinnati Bengals."It's a narrative to y'all," Mixon, who turns 28 on July 24, recently said about his age, according to Houston Stressans. "But, I mean, the running backs that I see that's close to 28, 30, 31, 32 (years old), they're balling right now. So my hopes are high."Mixon played his first seven NFL seasons with the Bengals, who drafted him in the second round in 2017. He rushed for over 1,000 yards four times - including last year - but his average of yards per rushing attempt is decreasing. Mixon didn't average more than four yards per carry in each of the last two seasons, and he posted under four yards per attempt in two of the past four campaigns.Mixon was also below average in rushing yards over expected among running backs in 2023, per Next Gen Stats. He ranked 32nd in yards after contact per rush, according to Jacob Gibbs of Fantasy Football Today.Cincy traded him to the Texans in March for a seventh-round pick. The former Pro Bowler thinks landing in a loaded-up Houston offense will be great for his career."I know what type of player I am," Mixon said. "I'm not here to speak for everybody else, but in terms of me, I know for a fact as long as I'm in a great position to win, it's going to be night and day compared to how I was in Cincinnati."The former Oklahoma star racked up 1,034 yards and nine touchdowns in 17 games for the Bengals in 2023. He also caught 52 passes for 376 yards and three TDs.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

NFL training camps are set to begin, and each club has question marks with the regular season weeks away.Below is every NFC team's biggest question entering camp. Tap a team's abbreviation below to jump to its entry, and check out AFC camp questions here.Jump to:

Veteran Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson hopes Chicago can finally live up to the hype that surrounds them yet again heading into the 2024 season."I feel like I've been on some talented rosters to where we've had a lot of upside," Johnson recently said, according to ESPN's Courtney Cronin. "I feel like, for me, it's one of those things where I'm tired of just having upside and having potential. I want to be in a position where we actually go out there and we are that and not just what we're projected to be at."He added: "It's about action at this point."The Bears were one of the 2024 offseason's biggest winners: They drafted quarterback Caleb Williams first overall, used a top-10 selection on wide receiver Rome Odunze, and traded for six-time Pro Bowl wideout Keenan Allen, among other moves.Chicago - which went 7-10 in 2023 - hasn't posted a winning season since the 2018 campaign. The team's last playoff win dates back to January 2011."The projections, the energy, the enthusiasm, all feels good in the beginning because everybody, every team, every fan (says), 'Oh this is our year,'" said Johnson, whom the Bears drafted in the second round in 2020. "I'm not on that type of time as far as, 'Oh yeah, this is our year.'"Nah, we got to go out here and we got to prove it, and I think that starts with Day 1, starts with today. But that's something that's going to carry on from now until the end of the season, whenever that is, if that's playoffs or not."Johnson, 25, set a career high with four interceptions last season and signed a four-year, $76-million extension in March.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Peyton Manning is looking to add Olympic coach to his resume.During an appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show" on Thursday, the Hall of Fame quarterback volunteered to coach the U.S. flag football team at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles."You hear about NFL players sorta campaigning to be on that team - it's scary to think Lamar Jackson and Tyreek Hill. But I'd like to be a coach on that team," Manning said.Manning joked that he likely won't get the job because of his 0-2 record as an honorary coach in the NFL Pro Bowl's flag football game."Kyle Shanahan, Sean McVay might be more qualified," he said. "I'd be curious how many NFL teams let their coaches or players miss training camp to go participate in the Olympics. Just to add something else to Roger Goodell's plate."The 2028 Games will feature the debut of flag football and squash, along with the return of baseball/softball, cricket, and lacrosse.Several NFL players have already expressed interest in playing on the Olympic flag football team, including Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

NFL training camps are set to begin and each club has question marks with the regular season weeks away.Below is every AFC team's biggest question entering camp. Tap a team's abbreviation below to read its entry, and check back Sunday for the NFC version.Jump to:

The Dallas Cowboys are prioritizing extension negotiations with wide receiver CeeDee Lamb over a new deal with quarterback Dak Prescott, a source told The Dallas Morning News' Calvin Watkins.Dallas doesn't know if Lamb will be on the field when the team opens training camp Thursday but expects Prescott to be there, prompting the Cowboys to put more importance on getting a deal done with the three-time Pro Bowl receiver, Watkins reports.Prescott and Lamb are entering the final year of their contracts, but the 25-year-old wideout skipped the Cowboys' mandatory minicamp in June while seeking a new pact.Lamb didn't speak with reporters Saturday after hosting 600 kids at his football camp in Arlington, Texas.He's set to earn $17.9 million in the final year of his rookie contract. The Oklahoma product has emerged as a potent option since being drafted by the Cowboys 17th overall in 2020.Prescott signed his last deal in 2021, inking a four-year, $160-million extension. His contract's average annual value is tied with Daniel Jones' and Matthew Stafford's. Prescott recorded 4,516 passing yards and a league-high 36 touchdowns last season, his eighth campaign with the franchise.The 30-year-old signal-caller said earlier in July that he'd be there to start the Cowboys' training camp. Prescott has also stated that he's leaving contract talks to his agent.Lamb established himself among the most productive receivers in the NFL in his fourth campaign, setting a single-season franchise record with 135 catches and 1,749 yards to be named a first-team All-Pro.Lamb projects to be rewarded with a deal toward the top end of receivers. Justin Jefferson became the highest-paid non-quarterback in June after agreeing to a four-year, $140-million contract with a $35 million AAV. A.J. Brown and Amon-Ra St. Brown also signed extensions this offseason and received yearly salaries of over $30 million.The Cowboys' front office also finds itself in the difficult position of being aware of a potential new deal for star pass-rusher Micah Parsons.Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones recently admitted that negotiating extensions with their biggest stars has been challenging as the team has resorted to playing "Houdini" to keep its core intact.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Edge rusher Shaq Barrett announced his retirement from the NFL on Saturday, a week before he was scheduled to start training camp with the Miami Dolphins.Barrett signed a one-year contract worth up to $9 million with the Dolphins in March. He was coming off a five-year stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with whom he won one Super Bowl.

With fantasy draft season underway, theScore has the award-winning rankings and expert advice you need to dominate your league. Make sure to check back for daily updates right up until the regular season kicks off.You can also subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section. theScore's Justin Boone was first overall in FantasyPros' Most Accurate Expert Competition in 2019 and finished among the top seven each of his last seven years in the contest. Follow the links below to see his rankings for every position.QBRBWRTE1. Allen1. McCaffrey1. Lamb1. LaPorta2. Hurts2. Hall2. Hill2. Kelce3. Jackson3. Robinson3. Jefferson3. AndrewsMoreMoreMoreMoreHalf PPR

Welcome to theScore Fantasy Football Podcast, hosted by Justin Boone.Find the show on Spotify, Apple, and Google.In this episode, Boone discusses some of the super deep sleepers he's stashing in dynasty and redraft leagues.

The relationship between Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and head coach Nick Sirianni remains a "work in progress," The Athletic's Dianna Russini reports.Despite the Eagles jumping to a 10-1 mark to begin the 2023 campaign, each of those victories was a "grind," and "things weren't exactly perfect behind the scenes and from a culture standpoint," Russini adds.Philadelphia lost five of its final six games of the regular season, with the disconnect between Sirianni and Hurts reportedly an issue prior to the team's struggles.Among the main problems between the coach and franchise quarterback was Sirianni's conservative play-calling, according to Russini. Sirianni's outspoken nature also apparently conflicted with Hurts' reserved personality.Philadelphia finished the 2023 season eighth in yards per game (354.4) and seventh in points per contest (25.5). The organization dismissed offensive coordinator Brian Johnson after the season, but the Eagles' conservative and run-first approach, especially in the red zone, was "100% Sirianni's offense you were watching," Russini notes.The Eagles hired Kellen Moore as their new offensive coordinator and Vic Fangio to run the defense. This is the second consecutive offseason that Philly replaced both coordinators.Sirianni hasn't called offensive plays for Philadelphia in the last few years but admitted earlier this week that giving up the duties hasn't been easy for him, per Philadelphia Inquirer's Jeff Neiburg. However, he added that he's confident it's the best outcome for the team and sees "a lot of positives from it."General manager Howie Roseman recently said he still believes the Eagles have a championship-caliber roster after appearing in Super Bowl LVII two seasons ago. Philadelphia added several high-profile acquisitions this offseason, including Saquon Barkley, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, and Devin White.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Baltimore Ravens announced Friday they signed two-time Pro Bowl safety Eddie Jackson to a one-year contract.Drafted by the Bears in the fourth round in 2017, Jackson spent his first seven seasons in Chicago. He earned Pro Bowl berths in 2018 and 2019, as well as a first-team All-Pro nod in 2018 after recording a career-high six interceptions and leading the NFL with two pick-6s.Jackson, 30, hasn't been able to replicate that success in recent years. He's failed to play a full season in each of the last three campaigns due to injury.Jackson did record four interceptions and two forced fumbles in 2022, but he finished 2023 with just one pick while allowing a passer rating of 120.6 in 30 targets in 12 games.The Alabama product adds immediate depth and experience to a dynamic Ravens secondary led by All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton and three-time Pro Bowl cornerback Marlon Humphrey.Jackson could presumably be the team's No. 3 safety behind the versatile Hamilton and Marcus Williams. Fifth-year safety Geno Stone led Baltimore with seven interceptions in 2023 but signed with the Cincinnati Bengals in free agency.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis has a point to prove and is eager to silence his team's naysayers this season."We know we've got a tough schedule, and all we want to do is play within ourselves, learn from each other, love each other, and prove a lot of people wrong," Levis told CBS Sports' Bryan DeArdo. "We know that there's a lot of doubters out there that don't think that we're gonna be worth anything this year."Levis became the unquestioned starter after the team's Week 7 win over the Atlanta Falcons last season. The Kentucky product joined Fran Tarkenton and Marcus Mariota as the only quarterbacks to throw four touchdowns in their first career start.The former second-round pick led Tennessee to an improbable win against the Miami Dolphins after his team went down 27-13 with 4:34 left in the contest. Levis connected with DeAndre Hopkins to narrow the deficit and helped set up the go-ahead score on the following drive.The 25-year-old is embracing his gunslinger label and understands the comparisons to Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre."I think a lot of people, when they hear gunslinger, they think about recklessness." Levis said. "I definitely feel like I was a little too reckless in my college career and tried to make some throws that I would want to take back. I changed that mentality a bit in my play last year. Just realizing at the level that I was playing at where I had to be that much more careful with the ball."Levis finished his first pro season passing for 1,808 yards, eight touchdowns, and four interceptions, and he completed 58.4% of his throws.The Titans have made several changes to their roster ahead of Levis' second year. Lloyd Cushenberry and JC Latham were brought in to help improve the offensive line. Tennessee acquired both Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd to assemble a potent passing attack alongside Hopkins. Tony Pollard is set to be the primary ball carrier after Derrick Henry's exit in free agency.Levis is confident the additions and his own development will push the Titans far this season."We want to make a playoff run. That's the biggest goal for us," Levis said. "Obviously, every team's goal is going to win a Super Bowl, but we're going to take it one game at a time."Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Geno Smith has claimed back-to-back Pro Bowl nods and is entering his 12th NFL season, but the Seattle Seahawks quarterback doesn't think he's reached his full potential yet."I'm still getting better," Smith said, according to team reporter John Boyle. "I've made leaps and bounds physically, I'm still getting stronger at my age. I don't know if that's rare or not, but that's something I'm doing. I've gotten faster, I don't think I've ever thrown the ball as good as I am right now. I'm in a really good place, just accuracy-wise, and I can throw the ball farther than I ever have. That's the reason why I think I can still improve, because I work hard and I push myself, and I'm seeing the improvements within myself."In 2022, Smith had one of the NFL's greatest comeback stories by earning a Pro Bowl berth in Year 10. The 33-year-old, who began his career with the New York Jets as a second-round pick in 2013, had passed for only 34 career touchdowns before his first All-Star campaign.Since becoming Seattle's starter two years ago, the 2022 Comeback Player of the Year has posted a 17-15 record. His 67.4% completion rate ranks second in the NFL over the last two seasons behind only Dak Prescott (68.2) and Joe Burrow (67.8)."The outside noise never bothered me and never will; I know internally what I can do, and I know I'm still not a finished product," Smith said.The Seahawks made significant off-field changes this year. They hired first-year head coach Mike Macdonald, who put together a coaching staff featuring new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb.Grubb doesn't have NFL experience but is coming off two successful years in college football coordinating Washington's offense, but he's still an exciting addition to Smith. The veteran passer thinks the new OC can help him elevate his game to an even greater level."Wherever coach Grubb's been, he's been just an innovative coach who's found new ways to attack defenses," Smith recently told KING 5's Paul Silvi. "He's always looking for new wrinkles and just helping us gain that edge as an offense. Just having a new coordinator, a new system, a new philosophy, just the way that he's doing things - and some of the plays are plays that we haven't seen at this level."Seattle's offensive unit ranked ninth in total points and 13th in yards in 2022 but regressed last year, placing 17th and 21st, respectively, in those categories.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With quarterback Dak Prescott and receiver CeeDee Lamb entering contract years, and with Micah Parsons eligible to sign an extension ahead of his fourth season, Dallas Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones is finding it challenging to keep all of his star players."Well, those things take time," Jones said on the "Scoop City" podcast, according to The Athletic's Dianna Russini and Larry Holder.He added: "I mean, you're talking about two players (Lamb and Parsons) that aren't quarterbacks that feel like they ought to be a little bit like (the Minnesota Vikings' Justin) Jefferson, the top-paid non-quarterbacks in the league."Lamb skipped mandatory minicamp amid stalled negotiations. He's expected to become one of the NFL's highest-paid players at his position after Jefferson, A.J. Brown, and Amon-Ra St. Brown each signed deals worth more than $30 million per year in 2024.Jefferson set a WR record with the four-year, $140-million extension he inked in June. Lamb's projected market value is at $34 million per year, according to Spotrac.Prescott, who has a no-tag clause and a cap number of $55.1 million in 2024, is likely to remain one of the league's top-paid quarterbacks with his next contract."His resume speaks for itself," Jones said of Prescott. "He was second in MVP voting last year. He's just had an extraordinary career here in Dallas. And, you know, those things just take time when you're talking about the amount of money involved. ... We're trying to, a little bit, play Houdini in how to keep all these guys around Dak and keep these players we were fortunate enough to draft."He added: "When you start stacking them up like that, it's a challenge. It's not that it's not doable, but you certainly got to have some give and take if you want to do that."Jones used the Kansas City Chiefs as an example of how hard it is to keep all of a team's stars. The Chiefs traded Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins during the 2022 offseason instead of extending him."You know what happens to teams when you do have these high-priced quarterbacks. At some point, it's a challenge to keep everybody," Jones explained. "Obviously, the Chiefs are an example of that. But they were able to survive not keeping Tyreek Hill and some other top players. They let go (of) one of the top corners (L'Jarius Sneed) ... You have to make some tough choices along the way. But we're optimistic that we can do that."Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The latest edition of theScore's Eras project, which celebrates greatness in every major sport, ranks and discusses the best 25 NFL players of the past 25 seasons.Stats and achievements compiled before the 25-year period - 1999-2023 - don't count for this exercise. For example, Ray Lewis was evaluated as an eight-time (not a 10-time) All-Pro.Monday: Introductory essay and players 21-25

Rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers is already drawing rave reviews from the New York Giants, including a lofty comparison ahead of his debut season."He reminds me of Ja'Marr Chase; it's like a clone," fellow Giants receiver Darius Slayton said on the "All Facts No Brakes" podcast with Keyshawn Johnson.Slayton added, "Malik's about 6-foot; they're about the same size. Dimensionally, they're about the same. His body movements, it's actually kind of weird watching him move around. He's really talented. He's got good hands."The Cincinnati Bengals selected Chase with the fifth overall pick in the 2021 draft out of LSU. Nabers, another former Tiger, was selected sixth overall by the Giants this spring.LSU has become known for producing NFL receivers over the last several years. Justin Jefferson and Odell Beckham Jr. are among the more notable alumni. Nabers entered the 2024 draft as the school's all-time leading receiver with 189 catches for 3,003 yards during his collegiate career.Nabers would need to produce an all-time rookie season to replicate Chase's feats from what was a stellar pro debut in 2021. The Bengals wideout recorded 81 catches for 1,455 yards and 13 touchdowns on his way to being named the league's Offensive Rookie of the Year. Chase further cemented a phenomenal breakout campaign by setting a postseason rookie record with 25 receptions for 368 yards.Chase has established himself as a No. 1 receiving option in the Bengals' offense. The 24-year-old has surpassed 1,000 yards in each of his three seasons and earned three Pro Bowl nods.Slayton noted that the biggest hurdle for Nabers will be picking up the terminology of head coach Brian Daboll's offense."For us, our system, the biggest hiccup as a rookie is trying to get down all these terminologies that Daboll has for us. Once he gets all that down, I think he'll have no problem having success," Slayton said.Slayton has led the Giants in receiving yards over the past two campaigns. With a receiving corps that also features Wan'Dale Robinson and Jalin Hyatt, the Giants are poised to lean on younger options in their passing attack this season.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Get ready for your season with theScore's 2024 Fantasy Football Draft Kit and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.No fantasy manager should rigidly classify any player as a "must-have," but entering your draft with a short list of names is wise.While it's probably impossible for you to get them all, building your draft around selecting at least a few of the seven players on this list can significantly increase your odds of achieving fantasy glory this season.More in this series

Los Angeles Chargers left tackle Rashawn Slater doesn't understand those who criticize quarterback Justin Herbert for his leadership skills."It's funny, everyone who calls Justin a quiet leader isn't actually on the team, so they have no idea what his leadership is like," Slater said Thursday on "Up & Adams."A first-round pick in 2020, Herbert has established himself as one of the NFL's most skilled quarterbacks. The former Offensive Rookie of the Year set a league record for most passing yards in a passer's first three seasons.Despite his on-field accomplishments and spectacular throws, the 26-year-old hasn't been known as a vocal quarterback. Slater doesn't see any issues with Herbert, though."He gets riled up, he talks shit, he's vocal. He's all those things. He's a great leader," the one-time Pro Bowler said of his signal-caller. "People see more than they hear. Just the way he conducts his business, the way he goes about it, he's always been a great leader."Herbert is coming off a down season after being limited to 13 games due to injury. The Oregon product finished the 2023 campaign with 3,134 yards and 20 touchdown passes against seven interceptions.The Chargers are 30-33 with Herbert under center, including one playoff appearance.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Houston Texans kicked off their training camp practices Thursday, and star quarterback C.J. Stroud already likes what he's seen from his team's loaded-up offense.The 2023 No. 2 overall pick put on a show last season to help the Texans go from worst to first in the AFC South. The reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year had a promising group of skill-position players around him with Nico Collins, Tank Dell, and Dalton Schultz, among others. But the Texans added high-profile weapons in 2024, trading for wide receiver Stefon Diggs and running back Joe Mixon."Stefon is somebody that can open up the playbook, but we have all these guys around," Stroud said, according to ESPN's DJ Bien-Aime. "It's a five-headed monster. It's definitely super dope to have just a bunch of options."Collins caught 80 passes for 1,297 yards and eight touchdowns last year. Dell was also on pace to top the 1,000-yard mark but sustained a season-ending Week 13 injury. He finished his rookie campaign with 709 yards and seven TDs. Schultz posted a 59-635-5 stat line.Meanwhile, Diggs claimed his fourth straight Pro Bowl berth by leading the Buffalo Bills with 1,183 yards and eight touchdowns on 107 receptions in 2023. Mixon rushed for over 1,000 yards for the fourth time in his career with the Cincinnati Bengals."Either you do it or you don't," Stroud said when asked about the Texans' high expectations in 2024, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston. "We're the ones on the field that gotta go figure it out. ... It's not going to be easy, it's going to be harder. We have a target on our back this year."Houston kicks off its regular season on the road versus the Indianapolis Colts on Sept. 8.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After previewing the Giants' and Steelers' quarterback battles, let's dive into the Vikings' dilemma. Kirk Cousins' free-agency departure after six seasons with Minnesota has led to a transition phase.The Vikings signed Sam Darnold and drafted J.J. McCarthy 10th overall this offseason. After a disappointing 7-10 campaign in which Cousins only played eight games before suffering a season-ending Achilles injury, Minnesota hopes its fresh faces can help improve its standing in a deep NFC North.With training camp approaching, it's unclear who will start Week 1: the national championship-winning rookie, or the six-year vet? Oddsmakers believe Darnold will get the first crack at leading the Vikings' offense, giving him a 76% chance of starting Week 1.Vikings starting QB oddsPlayerOddsSam Darnold-330J.J. McCarthy+240McCarthy will get his shot. An organization doesn't draft a quarterback in the top 10 to let him ride the bench forever. The question is if McCarthy's chance will come during the season opener or down the line.It's not uncommon to sit a first-round quarterback and develop him from the sidelines. Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes, and Jordan Love sat for at least a season before they took over the reins. Rodgers and Mahomes became Hall of Fame quarterbacks, while Love is beginning a potentially illustrious career.Of course, those aren't exactly fair comparisons for McCarthy. Rodgers learned from Brett Favre, while Love had Rodgers as a guide. Mahomes studied perennial playoff quarterback Alex Smith.McCarthy's schooling would come from Darnold, who isn't a distinguished professor in NFL quarterbacking. Darnold has mostly served as a backup or fringe starter as he's bounced around the league. The 2018 third overall pick most recently played for the Super Bowl runner-up 49ers, where he backed up Brock Purdy and only started in a meaningless regular-season finale.Darnold is 21-35 as a starter, with the bulk of those outings coming during his first three years in the NFL with the Jets. At best, he's an average starter with more weaknesses than strengths who's never established himself as a winning quarterback. Maybe his season with the 49ers and offensive guru Kyle Shanahan will lead to a mid-career renaissance. The Vikings are prepared to find out.The job is reportedly Darnold's to lose when training camp opens July 27. A quarterback battle should ensue at camp without a starter officially named.McCarthy led Michigan to a national title, but the Wolverines implemented a run-heavy attack. He had limited chances to showcase his arm talent relative to his fellow quarterback draftees. Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell runs a pass-heavy scheme, so McCarthy might require some extra development to adjust.Minnesota sees Darnold as a bridge quarterback between the Cousins era and the McCarthy one. The former Jet is serviceable enough to keep Minnesota competitive with a hoist of playmakers around him.ESPN ranked the Vikings' collection of weapons - wide receivers, running backs, and tight ends - as the NFL's fifth-best group. Whoever's under center for Minnesota will have perhaps the NFL's most reliable receiver in Justin Jefferson hauling in passes.Many rookie quarterbacks have been thrust into starting positions in Week 1, learned from initial failures, and eventually developed into stars. But many underdeveloped quarterbacks never recovered from poor early-career performances in bad situations.It's a risky decision that the Vikings must get right for the future of their franchise. Minnesota won't throw McCarthy into the fire if he's not ready.Assuming Darnold claims the job, he'll have the chance to keep his spot by helping the Vikings win games. If he's performing poorly, though, McCarthy will surely take over at some point during the season.Minnesota opens its season on the road against the Giants but then has a gauntlet of opponents looming. The Vikings play the 49ers, Texans, Packers, and Jets before their Week 6 bye.McCarthy could take over as the starter following the bye if Minnesota's collapsing. For now, oddsmakers expect Darnold to win the competition and start Week 1.Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on X @soshtry for more betting coverage.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Washington Commanders president Jason Wright will move out of his role immediately and leave the franchise at the end of the 2024 season, he told Nicki Jhabvala and Mark Maske of The Washington Post.Wright will become a senior adviser while keeping his responsibilities as the team's de facto president this year. He remains focused on the Commanders' search for a new stadium site and stadium naming rights partner, notes Jhabvala and Maske."This feels like the right moment for me to explore my next leadership opportunity," Wright said in a statement. "I'm extremely grateful to my Commanders colleagues, our fans, and this community for all that we have accomplished these past four years and am looking forward to the start of a very successful season for the Burgundy and Gold."Commanders owners Josh Harris and Tad Brown - the chief executive of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment - will lead the search for Wright's replacement. If Wright finds a new job before the end of the 2024 season, the Commanders will support his expedited exit, a source told Jhabvala and Maske."Jason has made a remarkable impact on the Commanders organization since he joined four years ago," Harris said in a statement. "He stepped in at a time of immense challenge and has led this organization through an incredible transformation that set that stage for everything that is to come. I am extremely grateful to Jason for his partnership to me and the rest of the ownership group over the past year. His guidance has been invaluable, and his leadership has helped reshape our culture."Wright became the first Black team president in NFL history when he joined the Commanders in August 2020. The 42-year-old helped Washington go through a series of changes to its workplace culture over the past four years.The Commanders have revamped their front office and coaching staff since Harris purchased the team last year from Dan Snyder for a record $6.05 billion. Washington kicked off a new era by hiring general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn this offseason.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The latest edition of theScore's Eras project, which celebrates greatness in every major sport, ranks and discusses the best 25 NFL players of the past 25 seasons.Stats and achievements compiled before the 25-year period - 1999-2023 - don't count for this exercise. For example, Ray Lewis was evaluated as an eight-time (not a 10-time) All-Pro.Monday: Introductory essay and players 21-25

The latest edition of theScore's Eras project, which celebrates greatness in every major sport, ranks and discusses the best 25 NFL players of the past 25 seasons.Stats and achievements compiled before the 25-year period - 1999-2023 - don't count for this exercise. For example, Ray Lewis was evaluated as an eight-time (not a 10-time) All-Pro.Catch up with Monday's introductory essay and players 25-21 here. Era teams: Carolina Panthers 2002-09, 2017-18; Chicago Bears 2010-13; Green Bay Packers 2014-16Signature performance: Peppers earned his first All-Pro berth in 2004, and many of his performances that year stood out.He recorded a 97-yard interception return in Week 5 and a 60-yard fumble-return touchdown in Week 15. His Week 12 stats - Peppers had a 46-yard pick-6, a sack, a pass breakup, and a blocked field goal against the Buccaneers - showed he could influence a game in so many ways.Peppers finished the season with 65 tackles (nine for loss), 11 sacks, nine pass breakups, four forced fumbles, and two interceptions that generated 143 return yards.Why he's here: From claiming the 2002 Defensive Rookie of the Year award despite only playing 12 games to being a member of two NFL All-Decade Teams, Peppers made a great impact for three franchises.The athletic edge rusher spent 10 seasons in Carolina, but fans in Chicago and Green Bay also remember him well, as he led each team in sacks in at least one season. Few defenders in any era equaled his ability to take down quarterbacks. Peppers' 159.5 career sacks rank fourth in NFL history. He sacked 77 different QBs, tied for the most since sacks became official in 1982.A college basketball player at North Carolina, Peppers used his explosiveness to wreak havoc every time he stepped onto the football field. The No. 2 overall draft pick in 2002 became the only NFLer to compile more than 100 sacks and 10 interceptions. He forced 52 fumbles, which ranks second all time, and blocked 12 field goals and a PAT.The first Panthers draft pick to be voted into the Hall of Fame, Peppers was part of the Carolina team that lost narrowly to the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVIII. It was the club's first championship appearance. - Caio Miari Era teams: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1999-2008Signature performance: Brooks' legendary 2002 season ended with the most special game of his career. Brooks put on a show against the Raiders in Super Bowl XXXVII, recording one tackle for loss, one pass breakup, and a 44-yard pick-6 off MVP Rich Gannon to extend a late lead and help the Buccaneers clinch their first Lombardi Trophy.Including playoffs, Brooks finished the 2002 campaign with 135 tackles, 14 pass breakups, seven interceptions (four were pick-6s), 1.5 sacks, and a fumble-return touchdown. He was the runaway Defensive Player of the Year.Why he's here: This outstanding talent fully translated his skills to the field and accomplished everything possible at his position in the NFL. Brooks was the greatest linebacker in pass coverage of his era, with excellent instincts and tackling ability.The former Florida State star entered the league as a first-round pick in 1995, so his first four pro seasons didn't count in our exercise. Brooks' next 10 pro years were fantastic; he earned seven straight All-Pro nods and ranked in the top five for DPOY three times. He was a top-five MVP finisher in 2002.Brooks never missed a game in his career as a longtime starter at weak-side linebacker. His availability made him a cornerstone of Tampa Bay's historic 2002 defense, which led the NFL in several categories en route to the Bucs' dominant 48-21 Super Bowl victory. Brooks is one of four members of that unit to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.With Brooks in his prime, Tampa Bay had a top-10 scoring defense nine times from 1999-2008. - Miari Era teams: Cleveland Browns 2007-17Signature performance: Setting expectations he'd meet for a decade, Thomas played every snap and allowed zero sacks in his rookie season. The No. 3 overall draft pick was the only player to siphon support from Adrian Peterson, one of the NFL's leading rushers, in the 2007 Offensive Rookie of the Year voting.Cleveland's offensive linemen gave up six sacks to the Steelers in Thomas' NFL debut. They kept quarterback Derek Anderson clean the rest of the way, surrendering 13 more takedowns all season, and helped drag a porous defense to the brink of the playoffs. Tiebreakers deprived the 10-6 Browns of a division title and the final AFC wild-card berth.Why he's here: Thomas was his generation's most dependable player. He allowed 30 career sacks over 167 straight appearances - a stupendous ratio - as a left tackle whose wretched team boasted precious few other strengths.From Thomas' second through 11th NFL seasons, Cleveland averaged 3.8 wins per year with a total point differential of minus-1,118. Never to blame, he protected the blind side for a conveyor belt of 20 quarterbacks to start a game. Instability and a lack of talent afflicted those Browns, the AFC North's resident punching bag, but Thomas was a consistent, comforting presence.Thomas mastered a pro's basic responsibilities, showing up daily to do his job to its fullest potential. The number 10,363 - his ironman record for consecutive snaps - is enshrined in the Ring of Honor at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Peers regarded him as a friendly warrior and powerful, savvy blocker whose positioning tended to be perfect.Factors beyond his control, like Cleveland's inability to sniff the postseason, didn't diminish Thomas' impact. He led the team in approximate value in seven of 11 years. He's the only Brown to earn admission to the Hall of Fame since the franchise's 1999 reactivation. A triceps tear in Week 7 of a cursed, winless 2017 season was the only thing that stopped him from playing to the whistle. - Nick Faris Era teams: New England Patriots 2010-18, Buccaneers 2020-21Signature performance: Gronkowski's dominance in the 2011 season helped Tom Brady become the third passer (after Dan Marino and Drew Brees) to exceed 5,000 yards. The second-year tight end emerged as an unstoppable scoring threat, setting a positional record with 17 receiving touchdowns in the Patriots' high-flying attack.Gronkowski's 90 catches for 1,327 yards were both lasting career highs. Held out of the end zone in October, he proceeded to house 11 TDs in a six-game span - another record for tight ends - to surge into the league lead. Linebackers were too slow to cover him, and helpless cornerbacks and safeties couldn't drag him to the ground.Why he's here: This offensive cheat code and inimitable personality was the smiling face of the NFL's evil empire. Fans who liked, tolerated, or loathed Brady and Bill Belichick all wanted to crush beers with Gronkowski.Gronk had more fun than other players - and why not? He was the top receiving target for New England's second dynasty, which won three championships, and he scored twice in Super Bowl LV for the victorious Buccaneers. His forceful spikes punctuated many touchdown connections with Brady, who fed him 90 TD passes in the regular season and another 15 in the playoffs.Blessed with fleet feet, sticky hands, and the strength to truck grown men, Gronkowski put his 6-foot-6 frame on the line. He enjoyed few fully healthy seasons but twice earned Comeback Player of the Year votes (and won the award in 2014) by returning from serious knee and back injuries to clear 1,000 yards.For his career, Gronkowski ranks third among tight ends in receiving touchdowns (92) and sixth in yardage (9,286) despite appearing in the 86th-most games (143). When he was able to play, the good times rolled. - Faris Era teams: Kansas City Chiefs 2013-presentSignature performance: The Chargers' defense had no answer for the Chiefs superstar in Week 15 of the 2021 season. Kelce caught 10 of his 13 targets for a career-high 191 yards and two touchdowns.A player who's built a reputation for playing his best football under the brightest lights, Kelce's first TD catch came with just over a minute remaining and sent the game to overtime. He put the finishing touch on his career day by catching a 34-yard walk-off score to stun the Chargers in front of their home fans.Since the Chiefs were 9-4 and the Chargers were 8-5 entering the December matchup, Kelce's heroics couldn't have come at a better time.Why he's here: Players like Gronkowski opened the door for tight ends to be elite receiving options in today's pass-first environment. No one at the position capitalized on that like Kelce.Kelce's rare athleticism for his size makes him an obvious mismatch before and after the catch. Pairing him with a QB like Patrick Mahomes who can exploit Kelce's ability to the maximum adds insult to injury for opposing defenses.Kelce owns many NFL records for tight ends, including seven 1,000-yard seasons (2016-22), the most receiving yards in a season (1,416 in 2020), and 37 100-yard games. His collection of Super Bowl rings and track record of playoff excellence enhance his legacy. No NFL player has caught as many passes in the postseason (165) as the Chiefs tight end. His 1,903 playoff receiving yards trail only the legendary Jerry Rice.When football historians write about the current era - one heavily defined by the Chiefs' dynasty - it'll be impossible to omit Kelce, one of the greatest pass-catchers of all time. - Daniel ValenteFollow the rollout all week long. Wednesday: Nos. 11-15.Nick Faris, Caio Miari, and Daniel Valente cover the NFL at theScore.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

theScore's Eras project assessed the best 25 players of the past 25 seasons in the NBA, spanning the years since Michael Jordan retired, and MLB, following the epic home run chase of 1998.This installment counts down the top players of the NFL's last quarter century, over the next five days.Peyton Manning's first NFL season was erratic, challenging, and ultimately inconsequential. His second signaled he'd rule the league.Exhibiting a clutch gene, Manning led a series of comebacks in 1999 that sparked the Colts to 13 wins and a division title. The young gunslinger cut his interceptions as a second-year pro, and he outdueled Dan Marino in the Miami sunshine. Less than a minute remained in a pivotal December matchup when Manning found Marvin Harrison on slant routes for gains of 16 and 18 yards. He teed up Mike Vanderjagt's tiebreaking 53-yard field goal at the buzzer.A passing of the torch was underway. The 1999 season marked the end of the rocket-armed Marino's groundbreaking run with the Dolphins. Broncos legend John Elway had just retired on top as a repeat Super Bowl winner. They left the NFL as Manning's career took off - he was the MVP runner-up in '99 - and Tom Brady got set to win a record number of championships.George Gojkovich / Getty Images From 1999 onward, either Manning or Brady - usually both - always reached the NFL postseason. Brady's Patriots constantly triumphed, which sweetened Manning's eventual breakthroughs. Their rivalry, and opponents' attempts to unseat them, defined an era.Football changed during their reign. Concussion awareness rose, CTE was diagnosed in hundreds of deceased players, and youth participation in the sport flagged. At the same time, the explosion of fantasy competitions and online betting reflected feverish interest in the product. NFL games became TV's greatest spectacle, accounting for a huge share of the most-watched telecasts every year.The league grew, expanding to 32 franchises, and evolved stylistically. Analytics established - and a dazzling collection of quarterbacks showed - that passing was the efficient way to move the ball. Scoring climbed as star QBs redefined benchmarks, often clearing 5,000 yards and topping 50 touchdowns for the first time.Wide receivers replaced running backs as the most valuable playmakers. Tight ends became key targets, with the best producing like No. 1 wideouts. The emphasis on protecting the blind side enriched left tackles. New rules complicated the act of defending, but intelligent, punishing, smashmouth units still led teams to the Lombardi Trophy - sometimes by silencing Brady or Manning in the Super Bowl.This series, a celebration of the Brady-Manning era, ranks its best players based on the factors that shape a legacy: awards, total production, impressiveness of peak, playoff heroism, and influence on the sport. It spotlights greatness all over the field, though the final list of 25 wasn't to accommodate kickers and punters, whose contributions in limited playing time weren't sufficiently immense.Focus On Sport / Getty Images We weighed stats and accolades compiled in the last 25 seasons: 1999-2023.That limitation erases Marshall Faulk's Colts tenure, as well as the Rookie of the Year campaigns of Randy Moss and Charles Woodson. While those three were locks to be ranked, the timeline disadvantaged certain stars of the '90s (Brett Favre, Warren Sapp, Michael Strahan) and present day (Tyreek Hill, T.J. Watt, Myles Garrett). Only a few active players had the resume to appear in this ranking.Contenders for our exclusive list had a towering bar to clear. Election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame didn't guarantee inclusion. Nor did winning an MVP or Super Bowl MVP award. Prolific QBs like Eli Manning, Matt Ryan, and Kurt Warner didn't make the cut.Snubs include Larry Fitzgerald, who boasted longevity (second in career receptions and yardage) but lacked a spectacular peak (one First-Team All-Pro nod in 17 seasons). Luke Kuechly, Von Miller, Terrell Suggs, and Bobby Wagner weren't as dominant as our chosen linebackers. We considered but omitted Antonio Gates, Zack Martin, Jonathan Ogden, Brian Dawkins, and Justin Tucker.Three final cuts were painful.Harrison was the best receiver for excellent Colts teams. He modelled consistency, had three 1,500-yard seasons, and cracks the top 10 in career catches, yardage, and touchdowns. But he was squeezed out by a record-setter (Calvin Johnson) and a superior scorer (Terrell Owens) at his position.Lockdown cornerback Darrelle Revis supplied an immaculate peak, and his aura was iconic. Smart QBs stopped throwing to his side of the field, leaving their wideouts marooned on Revis Island. He was excluded in favor of Champ Bailey, whose sizeable achievements over a longer span tilted the scales.Dolphins great Jason Taylor won a Defensive Player of the Year award and was an ironclad Hall of Famer. But the same goes for Brian Urlacher, who made one more All-Pro team than Taylor and propelled the Bears to a rare Super Bowl appearance.There are only 25 places in this club, and space vanished quickly. Our choices will spark disagreement - which is part of the fun.Pro Football Reference and the invaluable Stathead database provided most of the stats we reference. Access to endless information about the game is another product of the era. Numbers abound on the internet, historical context can be mined, and YouTube highlights jog dormant or treasured memories.The NFL is everywhere today. These special players, unveiled this week in groups of five, helped make that happen. - Nick Faris Era teams: Detroit Lions 2007-15Signature performance: Though the Lions were 4-12 in 2012, Johnson's record-shattering pace made the year unforgettable. Johnson hunted down Jerry Rice's single-season mark for receiving yards (1,848) and even put some distance between himself and the 49ers legend, registering 1,964.The NFL had grown accustomed to Johnson's dominance, but this was unlike anything seen before. We're talking 11 games of 100-plus yards - eight were consecutive, another NFL record - and two games of 200-plus yards. Johnson's 122.8 receiving yards per game are the most tallied by a receiver in the Super Bowl era (minimum 10 appearances).It's a testament to Johnson's generational talent that no one's been able to dethrone him despite the schedule's expansion to 17 games.Why he's here: Longevity's an important topic when debating the best players, but while Johnson's career spanned only nine years, it was one of the greatest runs in NFL history.Johnson's remarkable numbers speak loudly. Between the record-breaking campaign in 2012, his 329-yard game in 2013, and his 86.1 yards per game career average, there's more than enough statistically that boosts Johnson's resume.What transcends his play to legend status is that Johnson accomplished all this while playing for a Lions franchise that was typically poor on the field. Teams game-planned massively to stop Megatron. No matter how much attention was paid to him - double or even triple coverage - he'd somehow find a way to produce.Johnson's career ended prematurely, but all who witnessed the freakish receiver can agree he provided a peak that'll likely never be replicated. - Daniel Valente Era teams: Chicago Bears 2000-12Signature performance: Urlacher dominated a Falcons team led by rookie Michael Vick in Week 4 of his superb 2001 season. The star linebacker welcomed Vick to the NFL by recording five tackles, one sack, one interception, one forced fumble, and a 90-yard fumble-return touchdown.Stuffing the stat sheet, Urlacher finished the 2001 season with 118 tackles, six sacks, eight pass breakups, three interceptions, and two forced fumbles. He even caught a go-ahead 27-yard touchdown pass on a fake field goal. Urlacher's absurd performances helped the Bears improve from five to 13 wins. He ranked fifth in MVP voting and was the runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year.Why he's here: Urlacher was the heart and soul of a Chicago defense that reached Super Bowl XLI - the franchise's best moment in recent memory - despite the shakiness of QB Rex Grossman, who threw 20 interceptions that year.The 2006 Bears defense topped the NFL in takeaways while ranking third in points allowed and fifth in total yards. Peyton Manning's Colts prevailed in the title game, but the campaign illustrated what made Urlacher special.One of the most intelligent, physical, productive defenders of his era, the New Mexico product ranked in the top five for DPOY four times, winning once. He was a member of the NFL 2000s All-Decade first team.Thanks to the likes of Dick Butkus, Bill George, and Mike Singletary, great linebacker play is embedded in the Bears' DNA. Urlacher continued the team's long lineage at a level that landed him in the Hall of Fame. - Caio Miari Era teams: San Francisco 49ers 1999-2003, Philadelphia Eagles 2004-05, Dallas Cowboys 2006-08, Buffalo Bills 2009, Cincinnati Bengals 2010Signature performance: Owens' heroics fueled an epic comeback in the 2002 wild-card round. The 49ers trailed by 24 points in the second half when the star receiver took over against the Giants, catching a touchdown pass and back-to-back two-point conversions as New York melted down, losing 39-38.Earlier in the game, Owens broke tackles on the Niners' first offensive play to turn Jeff Garcia's short throw into a 76-yard score. Owens completed a 25-yard trick pass on another TD drive. He gained 177 yards on nine receptions by the time the Giants bungled the snap on a game-winning field-goal attempt at the buzzer.Why he's here: Except for Rice, no NFL wideout scored at will like his successor in San Francisco.Owens crossed the plane at a peerless rate in our era. He caught 127 touchdowns in 171 games, a rate of three every four games, and his showy celebrations mocked his past and future teams. Owens slammed the ball on the Cowboys logo when he was with the 49ers and flapped his arms like an eagle when he played for Dallas.T.O.'s career was dramatic and surreal. The ringmaster of his own circus, he spoke ill of some of his QBs and fielded media questions about a dispute with the Eagles while working out shirtless in his driveway. On the field, he could fight through contact and win 50-50 battles or footraces. Owens' five All-Pro selections - all first team - were achieved with three different NFC powerhouses.From 2000 onward, Owens always led his squad in receiving yards, even when Philadelphia scratched him for detrimental conduct for most of the '05 season. His 20-catch game for the Niners, 98-yard score for the Bills, and 222-yard throwback outing for the Bengals delighted fans. - Faris Era teams: Washington 1999-2003, Denver Broncos 2004-13Signature performance: Bailey swiped a pass that was overthrown to Cowboys tight end Dan Campbell and ran it back for a 65-yard touchdown on Thanksgiving 2005. By opening the scoring in Denver's 24-21 overtime win, he helped the Broncos coast to their first division title since Elway's retirement.Bailey was in the process of compiling a five-game interception streak, which is one game shy of the NFL record. Between the 2005 and 2006 seasons, he paced the league with 18 picks and 44 pass breakups.Why he's here: A brilliant cover corner, Bailey weaponized his enviable blend of traits - elite anticipation, scorching speed, and sure hands - to punish QBs who threw to his side of the field.Some wised up, ignoring the wideouts he blanketed for entire quarters or games, but Bailey still led the era with 203 breakups and ranked fourth with 52 interceptions. His 12 Pro Bowl nods over 15 seasons set a record for defensive backs. Across all positions, only three defenders (Ray Lewis, Julius Peppers, and Wagner) amassed more approximate value than Bailey since 1999.Bailey picked off throws in his NFL debut, his playoff debut, and his Broncos debut after a contract stalemate with Washington led to a blockbuster trade. He bridged Broncos eras, starring between the Elway and Manning years, and humbled Brady in the 2005 postseason, authoring a famous 100-yard interception return that was stopped at the goal line by tight end Ben Watson's ultimate hustle play.Bailey could lower the boom, outpacing almost every cornerback in career solo tackles (820) and tackles for loss (42). Receivers who finally escaped his coverage rarely gained much ground. - Faris Era teams: St. Louis Rams 1999-2005Signature performance: As the Rams fought for a playoff spot late in the 2000 season, Faulk elevated his game and put up numbers that look like typos. In Weeks 15-17, he recorded 571 scrimmage yards and 11 touchdowns. His 220 rushing yards, seven catches, and three total TDs in a must-win finale led St. Louis to victory.Faulk was named NFL MVP despite missing two games because of injury. Here are other incredible facts from his 2000 regular season:

The latest edition of theScore's Eras project, which celebrates greatness in every major sport, ranks and discusses the best 25 NFL players of the past 25 seasons.Stats and achievements compiled before the 25-year period - 1999-2023 - don't count for this exercise. For example, Ray Lewis was evaluated as an eight-time (not a 10-time) All-Pro.Monday: Introductory essay and players 21-25

Welcome to theScore Fantasy Football Podcast, hosted by Justin Boone.Find the show on Spotify, Apple, and Google.In this episode, Boone discusses the most notable NFC position battles that need to be monitored during training camp.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams would love to play with Tom Brady no matter how old the seven-time Super Bowl champion may be."Hell, yes," Adams recently said on "Club Shay Shay" hosted by Shannon Sharpe when asked about Brady.Brady turns 47 in August. But his age is just a number to Adams, who added he'd play with Brady even at age "58.""Tom knows how I feel about him," the star pass-catcher said. "The other part is, I think I'd be the first person that played with Tom and Aaron (Rodgers), so that would be pretty cool."I mean, he's getting older, but he's still got to be able to throw it better than half these dudes in the league at this point."

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson expects his on-field chemistry with Amari Cooper to remain the same despite the wide receiver's absence from mandatory minicamp amid a contract dispute with the team.Cooper didn't attend Cleveland's organized team activities, as the 30-year-old is looking for a new deal ahead of the final year of his current contract. Watson - who hosted a passing camp in Florida last week - suggested Wednesday that he may have worked out with Cooper during the offseason."The connection's been awesome," Watson said Wednesday, according to Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com. "Me and Amari have been, even with all of the other guys, it's not like he missed a beat. Amari's always been there. We know what he can do. He's been showing that and he's shown that over the offseason and yeah, the brotherhood, the love, the communication, none of that stuff has missed a beat at all."Cooper's contract doesn't include any guaranteed money in 2024, but his 2024 base salary of $20 million will become fully guaranteed once the regular season starts. He's presumably looking for an extension and a pay bump after setting a career high with 1,250 receiving yards last year. Cooper - whom Cleveland acquired in a 2022 offseason trade - also caught 72 passes for five touchdowns in 2023.It's unclear if he will be with the team to kick off training camp next week."Amari's going to be good," Watson said. "As far as the other stuff, that's their business. I can't get into all that. He knows that we love him and we want him back for sure."Cooper topped 1,000 yards in each of the last two seasons. The veteran wideout has played 12 games with Watson under center, catching 51 passes for 870 yards and four touchdowns in those contests.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

All-Pro wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk reportedly requested a trade Tuesday after failed contract negotiations with the San Francisco 49ers, who apparently haven't been willing to negotiate a new deal with the star pass-catcher since May.The Niners reportedly don't intend to deal Aiyuk despite his request, but moving the 26-year-old could be the 49ers' best option in the short and long term with both sides still far apart. He has only one year left on his rookie contract.Keeping Aiyuk remains the most likely scenario for the Niners. But if they decide to move on from their 2020 first-round pick, here are the top five potential destinations:Pittsburgh SteelersAiyuk mentioned the Steelers last month as one of two teams he could potentially see himself playing for. This would make a lot of sense for Pittsburgh, which saw Aiyuk put on a show in Week 1 last year with eight catches, 129 yards, and two touchdowns in Pennsylvania.The Steelers need to add an established and explosive receiver opposite George Pickens after trading Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers this offseason. If the campaign started today, veteran Van Jefferson and third-round rookie Roman Wilson would be Pittsburgh's top wideouts besides Pickens. Not ideal for a team that hasn't had a top-10 offense since 2018.Mike Tomlin's outfit is set to start a new quarterback in Russell Wilson, who hasn't shown signs that he can elevate an offensive unit without a solid supporting cast around him. Aiyuk ranked second with 17.9 yards per reception in 2023 behind only ... Pickens (18.1). Together, they'd be a nightmare for opposing defenses. Michael Zagaris / Getty Images Sport / GettyIn addition, the Steelers should have plenty of cap space to afford Aiyuk, who needs a new contract and has a market value of $26.5 million per year, according to Spotrac. Pittsburgh is projected to have the third-most cap space in the NFL in 2025 at $89.6 million.Washington CommandersWashington is the other team Aiyuk mentioned in his recent viral interview. The Commanders are expected to have the fourth-most cap space in 2025 and currently have a major wide receiver need. Washington does roster a solid weapon in Terry McLaurin, but the team still lacks star power and depth among its wideouts. Jahan Dotson - whom the Commanders drafted in the first round in 2022 - didn't top 600 receiving yards in any of his first two NFL seasons.There's also the Jayden Daniels factor, as the No. 2 overall pick played with Aiyuk at Arizona State in 2019. They're very close. It definitely wouldn't take long for them to get on the same page.

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Davante Adams' agents, Kenny Chapman and Frank Bauer, said Tuesday that they anticipate their client will stay with the Las Vegas Raiders amid "baseless" speculation regarding his future.The star wideout has been with the Raiders since 2022. However, the New York Jets - led by quarterback Aaron Rodgers - have strongly pursued him this year, producing trade rumors linking the two sides throughout the offseason."This is baseless, unfounded speculation, and Davante is expected to be with the Raiders as there has been absolutely no trade talk - period," Adams' agents said in a statement, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.Rodgers - who formed one of the NFL's top duos with Adams on the Green Bay Packers from 2014-21 - recently said he couldn't wait to play with Adams again. Adams, a six-time Pro Bowler, confirmed that the future Hall of Fame quarterback has been in his ear lately.Despite Rodgers' and the Jets' attempts to recruit Adams, the Raiders reportedly remain committed to keeping the 31-year-old receiver. Adams has caught 22 touchdowns in two seasons with Las Vegas.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Chicago Bears are signing No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams to a four-year, fully guaranteed deal worth $39 million, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Williams' rookie contract reportedly includes a $25.5-million signing bonus.The 22-year-old was the consensus top selection in the 2024 NFL Draft following a standout career at USC. Williams, the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner, accounted for 93 touchdowns across two seasons with the Trojans.Williams stands out due to his arm and his ability to make off-script plays. He joined a Bears team that hasn't won a playoff game since the 2010 season. Chicago is also the only team in NFL history that's never had a quarterback throw for 4,000 yards in a single campaign.In addition to Williams, the Bears used a top-10 pick on wide receiver Rome Odunze, who also signed his rookie contract Tuesday.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones provided a positive update as he gets closer to returning from a torn ACL."It's just a slow, gradual process," Jones recently said of his rehab on "Simms Complete." "You know kind of where the week goal is, where the benchmark is that you're trying to hit every week, and progress throughout it. I've had a pretty smooth process, no real setbacks or issues with it."At this point, I'm doing pretty much everything. Running, cutting, everything I need to do."Jones' comments suggest he'll be ready for New York's first practice at training camp July 24. The signal-caller will be able to rejoin 11-on-11 drills once he's medically cleared to return.The 27-year-old suffered the major knee injury in Week 9 last season. Jones also battled a neck injury in 2023. He appeared in only six games all year after entering the campaign with high expectations fresh off a four-year, $160-million contract extension.Jones helped the Giants reach the divisional round during the 2022 season but regressed in the first half of the 2023 campaign. He passed for only two touchdowns to six interceptions before being ruled out for the year.It was rumored that New York considered selecting a quarterback during the 2024 draft, but the team ended up adding to its supporting cast around Jones. The former first-round pick is signed through the 2026 season but doesn't have any guaranteed salary after 2024, according to Over The Cap."I expect a lot of myself, I expect a lot of the team," Jones said, according to Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post. "And what's going on outside, that is not necessarily something that is going to drive me."Instead of bringing in a new quarterback, the Giants used the No. 6 pick on receiver Malik Nabers. New York also made a splash on defense, acquiring star pass-rusher Brian Burns in a trade from the Carolina Panthers."I'm excited about the guys we brought in," Jones added.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

San Francisco 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk officially requested a trade from the team after unsuccessfully attempting to agree on a contract extension this offseason, a source told NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.The two sides met recently, but the team hasn't been willing to negotiate since May, reports Garafolo. The disgruntled wideout also skipped mandatory minicamp in June.Teams that have inquired about Aiyuk have been informed that the club has no intention of trading the star pass-catcher, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. The New England Patriots contacted the Niners within the last couple of weeks, a source told NFL reporter Josina Anderson.It was rumored in April that Aiyuk had requested a trade after San Francisco's Super Bowl loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, but his agent denied it. The 49ers did shop Aiyuk and teammate Deebo Samuel during the 2024 draft but ended up keeping both pass-catchers. The team used a first-round pick on wide receiver Ricky Pearsall.Aiyuk set a career high with 1,342 receiving yards last season en route to earning a second-team All-Pro berth. The 26-year-old also caught 75 passes for seven touchdowns.He recently said he was frustrated by his negotiations with the 49ers and added that he could see himself potentially playing for the Washington Commanders or Pittsburgh Steelers this season.The 49ers feature arguably the NFL's best group of skill-position players with Aiyuk, Samuel, tight end George Kittle, and running back Christian McCaffrey, among others. The 49ers also had lengthy negotiations with Samuel back in 2022. The star wideout requested a trade from the team at the time, but the two sides ultimately agreed to terms on a three-year, $71.5-million extension.The wide receiver market was reset during the 2024 offseason with Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings, A.J. Brown of the Philadelphia Eagles, and Amon-Ra St. Brown of the Detroit Lions each signing deals worth more than $30 million per year.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Welcome to theScore Fantasy Football Podcast, hosted by Justin Boone.Find the show on Spotify, Apple, and Google.In this episode, Boone discusses the most notable AFC position battles that need to be monitored during training camp.

The Cleveland Browns agreed to a three-year, $15.9-million extension with kicker Dustin Hopkins, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Hopkins' $5.3-million average annual salary ranks fifth among active kickers, adds Schefter.The 33-year-old made 33-of-36 (91.7%) field goals in his first season with the Browns in 2023. He also connected on 24-of-26 extra points.Hopkins played for the Washington Commanders between 2015-20. He spent the first six weeks of the 2021 campaign with Washington before finishing the season with the Los Angeles Chargers. Hopkins suited up for five games with the Bolts in 2022.The veteran kicker owns an 85.8% field-goal percentage and has hit 94.2% of his extra-point tries through 124 career games.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Giants, with one playoff appearance in the last seven years, are entering another pivotal season, and quarterback questions are at the heart of New York's 2025 campaign. This will be Daniel Jones' sixth year with the organization.Jones had his best season in 2022. He played 16 games, made his first and only playoff appearance, and subsequently earned a contract extension.But the Duke alum then played in just six games in 2023, amassing a 1-5 record with two touchdowns and six interceptions before tearing his ACL in early November.The Giants earned the sixth pick in the 2024 draft as a result of the forgettable season, and many speculated they would draft Jones' replacement. However, New York didn't draft a play-caller.Five quarterbacks were selected in the first 12 picks, but New York drafted Malik Nabers, a high-upside wide receiver, to provide Jones with more offensive firepower in an offseason where running back Saquon Barkley left in free agency and tight end Darren Waller retired.There's not much question about who will start Week 1 for the Giants, and this season will likely determine Jones' future with the team.Giants Week 1 starting QB oddsPlayerOddsImplied prob.Daniel Jones-45582%Drew Lock+29025%Odds via theScore BetThe Giants signaled that they're giving Jones another chance by passing on drafting a quarterback. So, it wouldn't make sense to bench him for Drew Lock, a career backup quarterback who's had some impressive moments.Jones will start Week 1 if he's healthy. He spent the offseason rehabbing his ACL and said he'll be "ready to go" for the first training camp practice on July 24. As a result, oddsmakers are giving Jones an 82% chance of starting Week 1.New York has the worst odds to win a daunting NFC East (+1300) and a 6.5 win total. But Jones doesn't deserve all the responsibility for the franchise's shortcomings. The Giants have failed to surround him with the necessary pieces for a quarterback to succeed, including a stout offensive line and playmakers on the outside.The Giants haven't had a receiver come close to 1,000 receiving yards in a season since they drafted Jones. They're hoping Nabers can buck that trend, as the LSU product should provide some playmaking in the absence of Barkley.Beyond Nabers, however, New York lacks weapons. It downgraded at running back and tight end, and it has the NFL's fourth-worst offensive line, per PFF.This season is supposed to be a fair evaluation of Jones, but it might not be different than years past, when Jones received the blame (some deserved) despite a poorly constructed roster.All the pressure is on Jones to perform well enough to convince the Giants to stick with him beyond 2024. He has spent his career running behind a poor offensive line, but the Giants might finally run away from him if he produces another disappointing year.The season would have to go severely south for Lock to replace a healthy Jones. For now, Jones will take the reins for another uphill battle.Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on X @soshtry for more betting coverage.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley is dismissing criticism about the longevity of high-usage players at his position."That's bullshit," Barkley told the Philadelphia Inquirer's EJ Smith. "Marcus Allen played until he was 36, 37 years old. Some of the greats that I admire and I look up and study, they played well into their 30s. Barry (Sanders) left at 29, 30 and he left in his prime. It's what you put in, what you put in is what you get out. That's any position."He added: "When it's over for me, it's over for me. But I feel like if I continue to put the right stuff in my body and do the right things, there will be a day when I'm 32 or 33 and I want to hang it up, and I'm going to do it just because."Barkley burst onto the scene in his first campaign after the New York Giants selected him second overall in the 2018 NFL Draft. He racked up a league-high 2,028 scrimmage yards and 15 total touchdowns on his way to being named the Offensive Rookie of the Year. After surpassing 1,000 rushing yards in each of his first two seasons, injuries slowed the former Penn State star's rapid ascent.An ACL injury forced him to miss all but two games in the 2020 campaign, and an ankle sprain in 2023 hampered his ability. Barkley says that most of the injuries that have caused him to sit out are "flukes" and nothing could have been done to prevent them."For me, it's simple. When I'm on the field, I'm one of the best, if not the best. I just have to stay on the field," he said.Barkley signed a one-year deal with the Giants last offseason after New York franchise-tagged him. The two sides held informal talks about an extension after the 2023 season but the organization didn't give the tailback a formal offer before free agency.The Giants' handling of the star running back has been on full display in HBO's "Hard Knocks: Offseason with the New York Giants." General manager Joe Schoen encouraged Barkley to explore the market and circle back to see if the two sides could agree to a new deal. While New York was interested in keeping Barkley, the team remained heavily invested in quarterback Daniel Jones and had other areas on the roster that needed to be addressed.

New England Patriots pass-rusher Matthew Judon is denying a report that says he'll refuse to play out the final year of his contract."What I can tell you is from the people that I've talked to, he is not going to play under his current contract," insider Greg Bedard said on "The Greg Bedard Patriots Podcast."Judon appeared to take issue with Bedard's reporting in a post on X just hours after the episode aired, saying he "didn't say that."

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, authorities said Sunday, according to Luca Evans of the Los Angeles Daily News.Addison was arrested late Friday night and released around two hours later early Saturday morning.Officers found the USC product "asleep behind the wheel" while blocking a lane on a freeway near Los Angeles International Airport, according to the police report."We are aware of Jordan Addison's arrest this past Friday and are currently gathering more information regarding the incident," the Vikings said in a statement.Addison was selected 23rd overall in the 2023 draft. He posted 911 yards and 10 touchdowns on 70 receptions in his rookie season.The 22-year-old was cited for reckless driving in July 2023 after being clocked going 140 mph.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Cincinnati Bengals and wide receiver Tee Higgins are not expected to agree to terms on a contract extension ahead of Monday's deadline for franchise-tagged players, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Cincinnati placed a non-exclusive tag on the 25-year-old wideout in February. Higgins requested a trade a few weeks later but said he expected to remain with the Bengals in 2024.The Clemson product ultimately signed the tender in June and will earn $21.8 million fully guaranteed this season. He's set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2025.Nine players, including Higgins, received the franchise tag this offseason. However, the Bengals wideout is the only player still without an extension ahead of Monday's deadline to work out a long-term solution. Josh Hines-Allen, Brian Burns, and Michael Pittman Jr. were among the group awarded new deals over the past few months.Higgins was reportedly seeking a deal similar to the three-year, $70-million extension the Indianapolis Colts awarded Pittman in one of the high-profile signings by receivers since the end of the 2023 season. Justin Jefferson became the highest-paid non-QB after landing a four-year, $140-million extension.A.J. Brown, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Jaylen Waddle are among other pass-catchers to cash in on lucrative pacts amid Higgins' quest for an extension.Higgins will play out his fifth and potentially final campaign in Cincinnati this season. The former second-round pick has hauled in 257 catches, 3,684 yards, and 24 touchdowns in 58 games with the Bengals.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Veteran defensive lineman Cameron Heyward has no interest in appearing on HBO's behind-the-scenes documentary series "Hard Knocks: In Season with the AFC North.""I hated it. I don't want to be on this," Heyward said on a recent episode of his "Not Just Football" podcast.In a first for the program, the in-season version of the show will follow all four AFC North teams in the final six weeks of the 2024 season and through the playoffs. The Pittsburgh Steelers will share the limelight with the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, and Cleveland Browns.The three-time first-team All-Pro defender is concerned that the players' behavior in the locker room could be misinterpreted during filming of the show."The locker room is the locker room, and I just don't want that getting messed up. There's so many inside jokes. There's so many people you would assume everybody's a jerk if you heard everything. But it comes from a loving place, and it comes from a caring place," Heyward said.Heyward has his own reservations about what will be aired when the Steelers make their first appearance in the series, but he did note that several players and head coach Mike Tomlin are bound for stardom.There are numerous intriguing storylines for Pittsburgh entering the 2024 season. The relationship between quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields will likely be front and center, while a defensive unit led by T.J. Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and Heyward could also secure plenty of screen time.Heyward, who is entering a contract year this season, shared a post on X in June that his goal is to remain in Pittsburgh. The 35-year-old defensive lineman is set to earn $16 million in base salary in the final year of a four-year, $65.6-million extension signed in 2020.Heyward has recorded 647 career tackles, 121 tackles for loss, and sits second in franchise history with 80.5 sacks ahead of his 14th season.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk admits that he had to swallow his pride when the franchise asked him to take a pay cut this offseason.The Niners cleared nearly $4 million in cap space after Juszczyk agreed to an amended contract. The 33-year-old still remains the highest-paid player at his position, earning an annual salary of $4.5 million, according to Over The Cap."Honestly, it hurt when (general manager John Lynch) came to me and asked," Juszczyk said, per NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco. "I wasn't necessarily expecting it. It kind of hurts your ego and hurts your heart a little bit. I understand that it's a business, but I do feel like I'm as valuable as what I was expected to get paid."The 49ers released Arik Armstead in March after he declined a request to accept a pay cut.San Francisco rewarded several of its players with lucrative extensions over recent years, including Nick Bosa and Deebo Samuel. The Niners continue to work toward signing Brandon Aiyuk to a new agreement ahead of a contract year.Although Juszczyk accepted the pay cut, he was adamant about remaining the highest-paid fullback."No knocks on other fullbacks in the league, but I'm the best fullback in the league, Juszczyk said.Juszczyk has earned eight consecutive Pro Bowl nods dating back to 2016. The Harvard alum cited the Niners' opportunity to remain Super Bowl contenders among his reasons for wanting to stay with the franchise."I think this is the best team in the league, and I think we have the best chance to win a Super Bowl. So this is where I wanted to be. That's where my roots are," Juszczyk said.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Quarterback Baker Mayfield expressed his appreciation for the Buccaneers after finding a home in Tampa Bay following a few seasons of instability."You're having a lot more fun when you're not getting shipped off to different places like a piece of dirty laundry, I'll tell you that," Mayfield said this week on the "Mike Calta Show." "So, when I got embraced in Tampa, it made a world of difference."He added, "I couldn't have been happier with the way it worked out."The Cleveland Browns drafted Mayfield with the top pick in 2018. The Oklahoma product spent his first four seasons with the Browns and helped the franchise end its 26-year wait for a playoff win in 2020.After establishing himself as the starter in Cleveland, Mayfield was dealt in 2022 to the Carolina Panthers, with whom he won the starting role and played seven games before being released.The Los Angeles Rams acquired Mayfield midseason in 2022, and he led them to a dramatic win over the Las Vegas Raiders just two days after joining. Mayfield then signed one-year contract with the Buccaneers in 2023 following Tom Brady's retirement.Mayfield thrived under center for the Bucs last season. He threw for 4,044 yards and 28 touchdowns to 10 interceptions and had a 64.3% completion rate. Tampa Bay won the NFC South and made it to the divisional round.The Buccaneers rewarded Mayfield with a three-year, $100-million extension in March after he earned his first career Pro Bowl nod. After a productive campaign and securing a new contract, Mayfield is eager to build on his success."I'm so excited to be heading into another season with these guys, for the most part the same group, and just truly embrace that and build the chemistry even more," Mayfield said.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers is eager to return to the field after an Achilles injury wiped out all but four plays of his 2023 season."My Achilles feels good, you know. I felt really good at the end of last year," Rodgers said Saturday at the American Century Championship golf tournament, per NBC Sports. "Then, you know, there's always that kind of plateau part. It's just about getting back into it. I felt good all spring."Rodgers confirmed a report from earlier this offseason that indicated the four-time MVP skipped the Jets' mandatory minicamp to take a pre-planned trip to Egypt."Had a beautiful trip to Egypt," Rodgers said. "This is like the last marker. Summer's over on Sunday."Both Rodgers and pass-rusher Haason Reddick missed the mandatory minicamp with what the team described as "unexcused absences." Head coach Robert Saleh downplayed suggestions of controversy with the star quarterback, who attended a majority of the team's voluntary OTA workouts prior to minicamp.The Jets relied on its talented defense and leaned on Zach Wilson for most of the 2023 campaign, but the league's longest active playoff drought was extended to 13 seasons.New York has made several moves this offseason to shore up the offensive line in front of Rodgers. Veterans Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses were brought in to help protect the franchise quarterback ahead of his second year, while wideout Mike Williams was acquired to provide another target in the passing game alongside star receiver Garrett Wilson.The 10-time Pro Bowler also teased a possible reunion with former Green Bay Packers teammate Davante Adams this week.Rodgers is set to embark on his 20th NFL campaign when the Jets return to practice on July 24.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Prior to joining the Carolina Panthers in 2023, veteran receiver Adam Thielen expressed interest in signing with the Kansas City Chiefs.The interest apparently wasn't mutual, though."Well, I was trying to go there and they didn't want me so I'll have to try to show them what I got," Thielen told Starcade Media at a celebrity golf event in Nevada.Thielen spent the first nine seasons of his career with the Minnesota Vikings. He evolved into a primary contributor for the Vikings, earning back-to-back Pro Bowl nods in 2017 and 2018.The Minnesota State product hit free agency after the 2022 campaign signed a three-year, $25-million contract with the Panthers in March 2023.The 33-year-old Thielen emerged as a go-to option in Carolina's passing game as rookie Bryce Young acclimated to the pro level. He led all Panthers pass-catchers with 103 receptions and 1,014 yards, adding four touchdowns.Carolina acquired receivers Diontae Johnson and Xavier Legette this offseason to improve an offense that finished last in the league in total yards (265.3) and points (13.9). Still, Thielen is expected to remain a key contributor for the Panthers as a slot receiver in 2024.Thielen will have an opportunity to prove his worth against the Chiefs on Nov. 24 when the Panthers host the reigning champions in Week 12.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Warning: Video contains coarse languageLas Vegas Raiders star wideout Davante Adams admits that he was consulted by head coach Antonio Pierce before the team benched quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in favor of Aidan O'Connell last season."My opinion on that was that I signed off on it," Adams said on Netflix's "Receiver," per the Las Vegas Review-Journal's Adam Hill. "That's just the reality of it. I love Jimmy and he's a great guy, but something had to happen in order for us to have a chance down the stretch and for me to remain a Raider, in all honesty."O'Connell started in Week 4 and replaced Garoppolo in Week 9 after the veteran started six of the first eight games of the 2023 campaign.Adams' frustration with the direction of the franchise was on full display as cameras followed the three-time first-team All-Pro and four other NFL pass-catchers during the 2023 season. He noted after Las Vegas' regular-season finale that he struggled to watch other football games, even if the Raiders won."It was tough," Adams said. "It's hard because I love football so much, so it's tough to sit there and not even want to watch a game based on the way our situation was going."

Jets receiver Garrett Wilson likes the idea of New York potentially acquiring Las Vegas Raiders wideout Davante Adams."I'm excited. I'm with all of it," Wilson said of the Adams chatter, according to Brian Costello of the New York Post. "Anyone we can get into the facility to help this team win games, I'm with it, and he's one of those."Rumors about Adams possibly joining the Jets originally began during the 2023 offseason when New York traded for quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who formed an elite duo with Adams on the Packers from 2014-21. Green Bay dealt the star pass-catcher to Las Vegas one year before the Rodgers move.Rodgers and New York have tried to recruit Adams this offseason, but Las Vegas reportedly wasn't interested in a deal. The Raiders star recently confirmed Rodgers has been in his ear lately.The four-time NFL MVP added fuel to the fire this week."I love Davante. I can't wait to play with him again," Rodgers said at a golf tournament in Nevada on Thursday.