Larry Fitzgerald believes Kyler Murray is more than capable of carrying the Arizona Cardinals while DeAndre Hopkins serves his six-game suspension."Obviously, the schedule's really tough early in the season. I know they're going to be without (Hopkins), but I know Kyler has the ability and the fortitude to be able to lift this team up," Fitzgerald said Friday on "NFL Total Access," according to NFL.com's Grant Gordon.Hopkins' discipline stems from a violation of the league's performance-enhancing drug policy. The Cardinals noticeably struggled without their star wideout last year, going 3-4 in the regular season without him.However, Fitzgerald feels Murray's natural ability and an emerging offense will be able to get the job done."There's nobody in the game as talented as, as diverse an array of abilities in terms of his athleticism, his ability to throw the ball going left or right," Fitzgerald noted. "He's immensely talented. He's a guy that everybody around the league has to prepare differently for."He continued: "You bring in (Marquise Brown), Zach Ertz is now coming into his second year, better acclimated with the system. James Conner is fully healthy going back into the year. I really like where they are positioned."Fitzgerald, who last played in 2020, enjoyed two seasons as Murray's teammate. The 38-year-old spent his entire 17-year career in Arizona and ranks as the franchise leader in receptions (1,432) and receiving yards (17,492).Murray's contract status with the Cardinals has also been a hot topic this offseason. It was reported the star quarterback wouldn't attend training camp without a new deal. Head coach Kliff Kingsbury said he was "praying" an extension would be reached before then.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Los Angeles Chargers pass-rusher Joey Bosa isn't going to let anything distract him ahead of his seventh NFL campaign.The four-time Pro Bowl defender explained his mindset toward preparing for the regular season after previously attempting to fill his offseasons with distractive activities."Honestly, I've kind of come to the conclusion that I don't really care (about other hobbies), he said on the latest episode of "The Drue Tranquill Show." "Football is my No. 1 and pretty much my only priority. I don't need to fill my time with all these sorts of (other) things.""I made a decision this year that everything else, other than how my body feels ... takes a back seat," he added.The 26-year-old opened up about his mental health, revealing he has been taking an antidepressant to help deal with anxiety stemming from multiple injuries sustained throughout his career. Such injuries include concussions and a neck ailment.Bosa believes picking up other hobbies would have a negative impact on his mental health. Instead, he prefers meditation and relaxation in between workouts.The Chargers signed the Ohio State alum to a five-year, $135-million extension in 2020. He then enjoyed a productive 2021 campaign, amassing 51 tackles, 10.5 sacks, and seven forced fumbles, which earned him his fourth Pro Bowl nod.Despite his success through six seasons, Bosa refuses to remain complacent."For me, it's never enough because I know once I get to that level there's more to learn, more to improve on," he said.The Chargers are eager to pair Bosa alongside former All-Pro Khalil Mack. The club is excited about the potential of its defensive unit next season after acquiring J.C. Jackson and Kyle Van Noy during the offseason.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Los Angeles Rams' All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey posted a series of tweets on Friday highlighting his career accomplishments and demanding more respect from people around the NFL.Ramsey's reaction comes after ESPN's Jeremy Fowler published a cornerback ranking made by executives, coaches, and players in which an AFC exec called Ramsey "overrated."Other veteran corners also joined the debate, including Aqib Talib and Richard Sherman."I just want people to start respecting greatness all around," Ramsey wrote.

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Robbie Anderson blames the New York Jets for quarterback Sam Darnold's struggles in the NFL.Anderson, who was New York's leading receiver when Darnold joined the team as the third overall pick in 2018, thinks the Jets should've come up with a better strategy for their rookie passer at the time."His development was all messed up coming into the league," Anderson said on the "I AM ATHLETE" podcast. "Look at Pat (Mahomes) and look at Lamar (Jackson); they didn't play right away. I don't feel like Sam should've played right away."After his career got jump-started the wrong way, I feel like, being in the building, it wasn't right."Anderson and Darnold combined for 44 receptions, 682 yards, and six touchdowns in Darnold's 13 starts as a rookie. The signal-caller, who missed three games due to injury, finished that campaign with only 17 touchdowns against 15 interceptions.In three seasons with the Jets, Darnold posted a 13-25 record as a starter while completing only 59.8% of his passes for 45 touchdowns to 39 interceptions. The Panthers, who signed Anderson as a free agent in 2020, traded for Darnold last year. The pair also struggled in their first year together in Carolina.Mahomes and Jackson took the NFL by storm, with both winning the MVP award in their second year in the league. Mahomes, whom the Kansas City Chiefs drafted 10th overall in 2017, spent one season as Alex Smith's backup before taking over and tossing 5,097 yards and 50 TDs in 2018.Jackson, the 32nd overall selection in the 2018 draft, became the Baltimore Ravens' starter only in Week 11 of his rookie campaign. He guided the team to the playoffs that year and claimed the MVP award unanimously the following season.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Buccaneers' offseason felt like a dream sequence - it was that quick. Tampa Bay's prolific quarterback spent less time in retirement than it takes to watch "Man In The Arena," but the brief nightmare of life after Tom Brady had to put management in a cold sweat.The machinations around Bruce Arians stepping away from the sideline - while potentially juicy - aren't likely to mean much for a team that still has Byron Leftwich working with Brady and Todd Bowles moving from defensive coordinator to the big gig. Oddsmakers and the betting market seem unconcerned that the Bucs won't be as good, or better, than their first two years with Brady at the helm.2022 Season oddsMarket Odds (O/U)Win total11.5 (-120/+100)Division-300Conference+300Super Bowl+700The Buccaneers are the favorites to win the NFC, but given they didn't win the division two years ago and didn't make the NFC Championship Game last year, buying Tampa at +300 seems like a short price for something that's far from probable. While Tampa doesn't have a definitive challenger within the division, betting three units to win back one would require conviction that rarely pays off in the NFL.Schedule outlookWeekOpponentLookahead line1@DAL-22@NO-43GB-3.54KC-2.55ATL-10.56@PIT-5.57@CAR-5.58BAL-3.59LAR-1.510SEA-9.512@CLEN/A13NO-6.514@SFPK15CIN-316@ARZ-2.517CAR-7.518@ATL-7.5SWOT AnalysisStrengthsDid I mention Brady is back? And so are the many veterans that Bucs brass has put around him. Former Patriot teammate Shaq Mason replaces another surprise retirement in Ali Marpet on Brady's offensive line.Defensively, Tampa let Ndamukong Suh go and only managed to replace him with Akiem Hicks, who was the key to any success the Bears have had on defense the last few years. The rest of the depth chart features all the same names you've grown accustomed to seeing on a defense that was sometimes as good - if not better - than the offense.WeaknessesWe even haven't mentioned Rob Gronkowski is allegedly not coming back. However, we'll believe his retirement announcement when we see him not in uniform in Week 1. If Gronk really is done with more than just training camp, Cameron Brate will have to take over the mantle as Brady's security blanket - especially since Chris Godwin is still working his way back from January's torn ACL. A slight thinning of offensive utensils for Brady to cook with isn't much of a weakness, but we have to have something in this section.OpportunitiesTruthfully, the Buccaneers benefit from not needing a ton of wins to claim their division. Tampa's also well aware that it doesn't need home-field advantage throughout the playoffs to win the Super Bowl, having won three straight road games in 2021 and lost at home in January 2022.Their opportunity to play the season out conservatively might be our opportunity to fade Tampa, but betting for less than 12 wins doesn't seem like much fun. The Bucs' slate is as tricky, though - as a first-place schedule often is - with just two games lined over a touchdown in the first 16 weeks. Outside of a big second half in the playoffs two seasons ago, the Bucs have gotten nothing but trouble from the Saints since Brady took over.ThreatsWhile Brady is challenging the concept, Father Time is still undefeated. Some may have already declared him the winner in that bout, but many of Tampa's other mere mortal veterans have succumbed to injuries recently. Just because Hicks joins Vita Vea in the interior of a stacked defense doesn't mean either will play every game, given both missed chunks of time the last two seasons. The same goes for the secondary, which has been ravaged in the past. If any human being other than the GOAT attempted this return, we'd all be more worried that this extra Brady campaign is a bad idea.How to bet the BuccaneersGiven their role as NFC favorites, the bar is obviously set really high for the Bucs. In the NFL, it's not easy to outperform expectations that are already at their peak. Brady is +800 to win MVP, so there's no value to that. There's no credit going to the head coach for a great season in Tampa, so Bowles is better left alone in his awards market.Brady's passing yardage total of 4,650.5 is a lot to ask in player props for the reasons we suggested above. Relying slightly more on the run game and not having his more familiar targets to extend a few drives with third-down completions could tamp down his numbers. But I would prefer that over fading his total touchdowns, as Tom is still likely to call his own number near the end zone.Matt Russell is a betting writer for theScore. If there's a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on Twitter @mrussauthentic.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Las Vegas Raiders hired Sandra Douglass Morgan as their new president, the team announced Thursday.Morgan will become the first Black woman named as team president in NFL history. Prior to joining the Raiders, Morgan served as chairwoman of the Nevada Gaming Control Board. She was also named vice-chair of the Las Vegas Super Bowl hosting committee."I am thrilled that Sandra has agreed to join the Raiders family," owner Mark Davis said. "Her experience, integrity, and passion for this community will be invaluable to our organization.""The Raiders have a long legacy of greatness, because of each of you and because of visionaries like Mark's father, Al," Morgan wrote in a letter to employees obtained by Mick Akers of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. "Let's carry that spirit forward together into this new season for Raider Nation and the Las Vegas community."Morgan's hire arrives a few months after the club fired Dan Ventrelle, who took over as interim president after Marc Badain resigned last summer. Ventrelle then alleged owner Mark Davis fired him in retaliation for bringing up concerns regarding a hostile work environment within the franchise.The NFL released a statement shortly after, promising to investigate the matter.Ventrelle's dismissal was one of several departures at the executive level over a 10-month span. Chief operations and analytics officer Jeremy Aguero also resigned earlier this year after seven months on the job."Let me be clear - I am not here to avoid or sidestep problems or concerns that need to be addressed," Morgan said. "I've given long and thoughtful consideration to joining you, and I've done so because I believe in the promise of the Raiders. Most importantly, I believe in your core values of integrity, community, and commitment to excellence."The Raiders have attempted to replenish their front office in recent months. Former fullback Marcel Reece was promoted to senior VP and chief of staff in May.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Veteran pass-rusher Justin Houston is returning to the Baltimore Ravens on a one-year deal, the team announced Thursday.Houston spent the 2021 campaign with the Ravens and suited up for 15 games. He recorded a team-high 17 quarterback hits and 4.5 sacks, third most on the club.His return was necessary for a Baltimore pass-rush unit that is facing depth concerns. Tyus Bowser, who led the club in sacks last season with seven, and second-round rookie David Ojabo are both recovering from torn Achilles.Baltimore will also look to generate pressure from the likes of veteran Calais Campbell and 2021 first-round pick Odafe Oweh, among others.Houston, 33, began his career with the Kansas City Chiefs and then enjoyed a two-year stay with the Indianapolis Colts before joining Baltimore. He's made four Pro Bowls, all as a member of the Chiefs, and has notched 102 career sacks. His best year came in 2014 when he put up a league-high 22 sacks.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs is optimistic that he'll have an opportunity to play alongside his brother Stefon Diggs in the future."Who knows? I feel like it could happen eventually," Trevon told Sports Illustrated's Alex Prewitt.Stefon, however, believes that the "dream" of the siblings uniting on the same team is "out of reach" after the star receiver signed a four-year, $96-million contract extension with the Buffalo Bills in April."Maybe in the next lifetime or something," he said. "I want to finish with the Bills, and I'm pretty sure he's not going anywhere anytime soon."Stefon, 28, has never played on the same team as Trevon (23) growing up, but fans did receive a brief glimpse of the head-to-head matchup during the 2022 Pro Bowl. Although the two have not worn the same uniform, the pair are often inseparable during the offseason. The Diggs brothers work out with one another and list each other among the best talents at their respective positions.The 2020 All-Pro wideout has been a fixture in Buffalo's prolific offense alongside quarterback Josh Allen. Stefon has racked up 1,000-yard campaigns in each of his past four seasons, dating back to his tenure with the Minnesota Vikings. He recorded 103 receptions for 1,225 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2021-22.Meanwhile, Trevon tied an NFL record with seven interceptions within his first six games last season and finished with a league-leading 11 picks. The younger Diggs has two years remaining on his rookie contract.The Diggs duo joined Jason and Travis Kelce and Joey and Nick Bosa as siblings named to the 2022 Pro Bowl.While a possible team-up is unlikely in the immediate future, the competitive brothers will get to face off against one another when the Bills host the Cowboys in 2023.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Von Miller signed a colossal six-year, $120-million deal with the Buffalo Bills in free agency, but they weren't the only team hot on his trail.A Texas native, Miller revealed the Dallas Cowboys also pursued him. He would have taken a discount to sign in his home state, but the club's offer was too far off the deal he got from the Bills.The eight-time Pro Bowler told Dan Pompei of The Athletic that the Cowboys offered him the same deal they had on the table for pass-rusher Randy Gregory, which was reportedly a five-year, $70-million pact."I told them I was ready to come to the Cowboys," Miller said. "I would have taken less to go to Dallas because it's Dallas. But I wouldn't take that much less."Miller spent the first 10-plus years of his career terrorizing the AFC with the Denver Broncos before being traded to the Los Angeles Rams last season. He finished the campaign strong, compiling nine total sacks (including the postseason) as the Rams went on to win Super Bowl LVI.The Rams also made an attempt to retain the veteran. Their offer surpassed the Bills' in terms of average per year, but only two of the proposed three years would have been guaranteed, according to Pompei. The Bills' deal contained slightly over $51.4 million promised in the first three seasons.Miller was arguably the top pass-rusher on the market this offseason after accruing 115.5 career sacks and three All-Pro seasons. He's also won two Super Bowl championships.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Falcons won seven games last year, but that seems hard to believe just six months after the season - especially with the market placing them near the bottom before 2022.The most notable change for the Falcons is that they'll have a different quarterback for the first time in more than 14 years. Matt Ryan has moved on, allowing Atlanta to fully rebuild. Marcus Mariota takes over in the meantime, looking for a second chance to be a starter in the NFL. But the market doesn't love his chances of success.2022 Season oddsMarketOdds (O/U)Win total5 (+120/-140)Division+2500Conference+6000Super Bowl+12500A season win total of five is just slightly higher than that of the Texans, who are the lowest-rated team in the league. Like Houston, Atlanta's 25-1 odds to win the division don't suggest much hope, but is there really less than a 4% chance that the Falcons complete 17 games with a better record than the Panthers, Saints, and Buccaneers?Schedule outlookWeekOpponentLookahead line1NO+4.52@LAR+133@SEA+3.54CLEN/A5@TB+10.56SF+6.57@CIN+108CARPK9LAC+6.510@CAR+311CHIPK12@WSH+513PIT+2.515@NO+716@BAL+7.517ARZ+3.518TB+7.5SWOT AnalysisStrengthsThere won't be a ton of strengths for a team lined at five wins for the coming campaign, but a second year for head coach Arthur Smith and defensive coordinator Dean Pees suggests continuity that other clubs in their win-total neighborhood don't always have.The defense has some high-end players, with A.J. Terrell at corner, Grady Jarrett creating chaos for the defensive line, and acquisitions at the second level in Rashaan Evans and rookie Arnold Ebiketie.WeaknessesUnfortunately, the rest of that group is made up of journeymen cast-offs or veterans on their third or fourth team, and generating a pass rush will likely be difficult.The offensive line was ranked 27th in Pro Football Focus's end-of-the-year grading, and that may have partly stemmed from Ryan's immobility, along with how long it took for the Falcons to figure out their rushing attack. For better or worse, the entire group returns this year. If you're worried about Calvin Ridley's season-long suspension for betting parlays, it's not like he was around much last year.OpportunitiesIn Smith's first year as an offensive coordinator for the Titans, then-head coach Mike Mularkey gave Mariota a quick hook in Week 6. Would a longer leash for Mariota have resulted in a similar season to what Ryan Tannehill produced with Smith calling plays? We'll never know, but you could sell me on the idea that Smith wouldn't have been a proponent of signing Mariota if he thought the former Oregon standout was incapable of running his offense well.The former second overall draft pick spent most of his early career surrounded by minimal high-end talent in Music City in an offense that may not have suited his skill set. With young weapons and Smith finding an ideal usage for Cordarrelle Patterson, there's potential to buy low on the Falcons' offense.ThreatsThe other team's offense won't be a buy-low, mainly because the Falcons' defense still lacks depth of talent. That said, they found themselves in the middle of the NFL on primary defensive stats like yards per rush and yards per play. Forcing the defense to blitz to create pressure would consistently leave a shaky secondary vulnerable.How to bet the FalconsFive wins seem doable if you think Mariota can combine his mobility with using big-bodied pass catchers Kyle Pitts and rookie Drake London while Patterson revitalizes himself as a weapon out of the backfield. In fact, at 25-1 to win the division, I wouldn't stop you from taking a low-cost shot on Atlanta being better than Carolina and New Orleans, in conjunction with the indestructible quarterback in Tampa maybe finally being destructible.At +800 to make the playoffs, a second-place finish in the South would put Atlanta in competition for one of three wild cards in a not-so-deep NFC. That would require a Comeback Player of the Year-type season from Mariota (+1400) and potentially result in Smith (+5000 for Coach of the Year) getting a lot of credit for expediting the rebuild.Of course, it's more likely the Falcons start the campaign 1-6 before a pick'em game with Carolina, but we're getting huge odds on outlier performances, with a fair amount of variable uncertainty in Atlanta and the NFC South as a whole. Those are the best times to take a few big swings in a league known for surprising results.Matt Russell is a betting writer for theScore. If there's a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on Twitter @mrussauthentic.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The big holdup on Baker Mayfield's NFL future was always about his contract. With just three weeks to go until training camp, Mayfield, the Cleveland Browns, and the Carolina Panthers reached a financial compromise that resulted in a trade agreement: The Panthers acquired Mayfield, while the Browns received a conditional fifth-round pick in the 2024 draft. Some quick thoughts:1. Mayfield was never going to return to Cleveland once the Browns ponied up $230 million fully guaranteed to acquire Deshaun Watson and all his baggage. Mayfield made it clear soon after the trade that he "100%" felt disrespected by the team. If there was any lingering doubt about that given the uncertainty surrounding Watson's possible suspension, Mayfield extinguished it last week at his youth football camp. "I think it's been pretty obvious the mutual decision on both sides is to move on," he told Sooner Scoop, a sentiment he later repeated.2. Mayfield had all sorts of leverage on the Browns because he's due $18.8 million fully guaranteed in 2022, the sticker price on the fifth-year option of his rookie deal that Cleveland exercised in May 2021. A lack of potential post-draft trade partners - the Panthers, Seattle Seahawks, and maybe the Houston Texans were the only options - squeezed the Browns even further.3. Cleveland was always going to have to pay a significant portion of Mayfield's salary - a reality that became clear when it failed to broker a trade with Carolina after talking things over during the draft. In the end, Mayfield agreed to a pay cut of $3.5 million - which he can potentially earn back through incentives - to help get it all moving. The Browns will pay him $10.5 million, while the Panthers will cough up $5 million.4. Spending $5 million on Mayfield in exchange for a 2024 fifth-rounder, which could become a fourth-rounder depending on playing time, was a no-brainer for the Panthers. They're already stuck with the tab for Sam Darnold's $18.8-million option for the coming season, and with the Browns boxed in, they had no reason to give up more. Mayfield seems like an upgrade over Darnold and rookie third-rounder Matt Corral. The only question is by how much. Al Bello / Getty Images5. Mayfield's career has been a mixed bag. He worked with four different offensive coordinators during his first three seasons in Cleveland. He went 11-5, won a playoff game, and nearly knocked off the Kansas City Chiefs on the road at the end of his third season, but he had a rough 2021 marred by injuries to his non-throwing shoulder. The Browns clearly thought there was a ceiling to his game, which is predicated on play-action and designed rollouts. No quarterback has thrown more interceptions than Mayfield's 56 since he entered the league in 2018.6. The Panthers are tossing another dart against the board, which has essentially been their approach since head coach Matt Rhule took over in 2020. The Teddy Bridgewater and Darnold experiments went belly-up, but the hope is that offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo can coax something better out of Mayfield, especially after Carolina bolstered its weak offensive line by adding right guard Austin Corbett and center Bradley Bozeman in free agency. The Panthers also made left tackle Ikem Ekwonu the first lineman off the board with the sixth overall pick in the draft.7. What might McAdoo do for Mayfield? He showed a liking for the quick passing game during his four seasons as offensive coordinator and later head coach of the New York Giants. From 2014 to 2017, Eli Manning's average time to throw while working with McAdoo was 2.49, 2.48, 2.38, and 2.40 seconds, which ranked fifth, sixth, second, and first in the NFL, according to PFF.8. Mayfield tends to hold the ball a bit longer (2.68, 2.75, 2.98, 2.86), but he now gets to throw to D.J. Moore, who ranked 12th (427), 8th (392), 16th (390), and 13th (445) in yards after catch across his four seasons. A solid dose of quick throws punctuated by the occasional deep shot might be the best way to work around a pass-catching corps that includes wideouts Robbie Anderson and Terrace Marshall Jr. - who both underwhelmed last season - and tight end Ian Thomas. Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images9. Carolina's also a bit of a tough spot for Mayfield. He's entering a contract year and will need to prove a lot for this arrangement to work. Consider: Mayfield will play for a coach who needs to do something to save his job after the Bridgewater-Darnold flameouts and under an owner in David Tepper who has a penchant for lacking patience. It's not hard to see that even a modest improvement from Carolina's back-to-back five-win seasons could still result in Rhule getting fired and Mayfield holding a clipboard for some noncontender in 2023, or worse.10. As for the Browns, they simply wanted to move on from Mayfield and get out from under as much of his contract as possible. The trade frees up roughly $8 million in additional cap savings. Cleveland already led the league in effective cap space ($48.4 million, per Over the Cap), which ought to come in handy when it rolls those savings over into 2023. The Browns project to have far larger cap hits for several players like Watson, Myles Garrett, Nick Chubb, Amari Cooper, Joel Bitonio, and Wyatt Teller next year. Dealing Mayfield for even a future fifth-round pick is better than getting nothing back while eating the entirety of his 2022 salary, as the Browns would've done had they released him.11. Yes, if Watson is suspended for most or all of 2022, the Browns will have to roll with Jacoby Brissett under center. The team made that bed when they chose to sign Watson, so we all know who to blame when it comes time for them to lie in it.Dom Cosentino is a senior features writer at theScore.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Aaron Rodgers is excited by the physical traits of the Green Bay Packers' rookie wide receivers."Physically, they definitely look the part. All three of them," the superstar quarterback said on "The Pat McAfee Show" on Wednesday."All have physical gifts. Obviously, the top two picks are bigger - (Romeo) Doubs and (Christian) Watson - but the seventh-round pick got a lot of stuff to him. I think it's going to be great."The Packers, who lost receivers Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling this offseason, didn't use any of their two first-round picks on a wideout. Instead, the team drafted Watson in the second round, Doubs in the fourth round, and Samori Toure in Round 7.Rodgers, the reigning back-to-back NFL MVP, believes the young pass-catchers will be put to the test against Green Bay's solid defense at training camp."There's no better teacher for them on what NFL ball is going to be like than going up against our top three corners, Jaire (Alexander), Eric Stokes, and Rasul (Douglas)," Rodgers said.He added: "I like the way our defense is looking and playing. ... There could be some growing pains for the offense, which will be great for us."Green Bay's wide receiver depth chart also features Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, and Sammy Watkins, whom the club signed this offseason.Rodgers is confident the Packers will overcome the loss of former All-Pro Adams."Every year, there are opinions that start coming out about players in helmets and shorts," Rodgers said. "I would just say, 'Everybody, take a nice, deep, long breath and trust the training camp time that we have. Trust the coaching staff. Trust the relationships that will be formed. Trust the guys in the room like Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, and Sammy Watkins to help these young guys out.'"Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Carolina Panthers acquired Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield for a 2024 conditional fifth-round pick, the Panthers announced Wednesday.The trade, which is pending a physical, will see Mayfield cut $3.5 million off his base salary, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. The Browns will pay $10.5 million of Mayfield's salary this season while the Panthers will owe about $5 million.However, Mayfield can earn back the lost salary through incentives, a source told Garafolo.The conditional fifth-rounder in the deal will convert to a fourth-round selection if Mayfield plays 70% of Carolina's offensive snaps, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.The Panthers have been considered a likely destination for the former No. 1 overall pick since he requested a trade from the Browns earlier this offseason due to the team's pursuit of Deshaun Watson. The two clubs reportedly considered a trade during the NFL draft, but it fell apart due to Cleveland's unwillingness to cover the majority of Mayfield's contract. The Seattle Seahawks were also rumored to be exploring a deal for Mayfield.Mayfield was openly critical of the Browns' quarterback approach following the team's acquisition of Watson, saying he felt "100%" disrespected. He added last week that there was likely no chance of reconciliation with the club if Watson is suspended.Mayfield's departure leaves Jacoby Brissett as the Browns' main backup behind Watson. The organization is waiting to hear the resolution of a disciplinary hearing for Watson, who still faces four lawsuits alleging he committed sexual misconduct or sexual assault during massage sessions. He settled 20 similar lawsuits in June.It won't take Mayfield long to meet his former club as the Panthers host the Browns in Week 1.The 27-year-old will likely battle 2018 draftmate Sam Darnold for the No. 1 job as Carolina doesn't plan to move Darnold, a source told ESPN's David Newton.Darnold, who was acquired by the Panthers last offseason, didn't establish a firm grip on the starting role after going 4-7 with nine touchdowns to 13 interceptions in 2021.Mayfield led the Browns to the postseason in 2020 but was unable to replicate the same success last year after being hampered by injuries. He completed 60.5% of his passes for a career-low 17 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find positional rankings, additional analysis, and 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 2022 rankings.Half PPR

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Robbie Anderson tweeted Wednesday that he's fine with his team's acquisition of quarterback Baker Mayfield from the Cleveland Browns."I don't have an issue with Baker, stop tryna paint that narrative," Anderson wrote.After the Browns traded Mayfield to the Panthers for a 2024 conditional fifth-round pick Wednesday, Anderson became a trending topic around the NFL for comments he made earlier this offseason.In April, the pass-catcher commented "Nooooo" on a post made by a fan account that linked Mayfield to the Panthers. He then stood by his comment on another post.Anderson addressed the remarks in June, saying they were meant as support for Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold.Darnold and Anderson played together on the New York Jets for two seasons in 2018 and 2019. Carolina signed Anderson in the 2020 offseason and traded for Darnold a year later.Mayfield and Darnold are expected to compete for the starting job in Carolina this season.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Colts missed the playoffs in 2021, and it cost Carson Wentz his job. A Week 18 loss to the Jaguars in a do-or-die situation probably should have inspired more change than just at quarterback, but when you can bring in a proven veteran like Matt Ryan, you can assume his effect on the team will reach further than just the strict boundaries of his position.While Ryan's second chance to contend is the headliner as to why the Colts are the favorites to win the division, Jonathan Taylor made his bettors the big winners last season, cashing tickets that had him leading the league in rushing yards.2022 season oddsMarket Odds (O/U)Win total10 (-115/-105)Division-125Conference+1100Super Bowl+2200The assumption here is that if the Colts had a more competent quarterback, they would've beaten the Jaguars at the end of last season and scored their 10th win. Sometimes, line-making can be that simple.Schedule outlookWeekOpponentLookahead line1@HOU-82@JAX-4.53KC+2.54TEN-35@DEN+36JAX-77@TENPK8WSH-59@NEPK10@LV+211PHI-312PIT-4.513@DAL+2.515@MINPK16LAC+117@NYG-318HOU-10Unlike the Titans, the Colts should be built to run up the score on lesser opponents. Unfortunately, they only have the Jaguars and Texans on the schedule - twice each - as teams they'll be favored against by around a touchdown or more. Like the Titans, Houston has seven games with lookahead lines inside of a field goal.SWOT analysisStrengthsRyan's job description begins and ends with turnover avoidance. Wentz's lack of ball security cost the Colts a playoff spot last season in a conference that was more up for grabs than we ever imagined. This should be doable for a future Hall of Famer, as he gets to play with a running game as good or better than any he had with the Falcons. Taylor remains the best thing about the Colts, as the other offensive skill players have been inconsistent at best.WeaknessesMatt Pryor looks to be getting the promotion to starting left tackle after Eric Fisher was cut following a mediocre season. He wasn't the only one who disappointed in pass protection, as even Quenton Nelson (69.8 PFF rating) struggled to anchor a line charged with keeping Wentz upright.Defensively, Yannick Ngakoue is this year's big addition. He'll finally give the Colts a more substantial pass rush, joining Kwity Paye and DeForest Buckner in a group that has to create more pressure on opposing quarterbacks. The Colts had trouble getting the Jaguars off the field in both matchups and gave up 59 points in two losses to Tennessee.OpportunitiesTaylor is the favorite for the rushing title, but a repeat is a big ask for him at +450. In fact, taking the under on his rushing yards is probably the more prudent play. His career season is naturally going to inflate expectations, and too much can happen that keeps even the best running backs below that high of a total.As for Ryan, if Taylor does have another big season and plays nearly every game, then the QB's numbers will be depressed. His yardage total of 3950.5 feels high, considering he barely surpassed it last year despite consistently being in come-from-behind mode with the lowly Falcons.ThreatsWe'll be on the lookout for how the Colts play their games early in the season. It'll be troubling if they can't get pressure against a healthy Texans offensive line, and if Davis Mills can move the ball against a secondary that had its 26-year-old starting safety retire to go into the ministry while other starting safety Julian Blackmon is praying his torn Achilles is as good as ever. The Colts added corner Stephon Gilmore, though there's some question whether he has much left of his prime.How to bet the ColtsIf the Texans can score in the opener, the Colts may be headed for a series of shootout-style games. The over would often be in play, with Ryan forced to get more involved than anyone hopes.Pick your lane on a prop under - either Taylor to fall back to the status of a mere mortal (under 1450.5 rushing yards) or Ryan's requirements being drastically less than his 14 years in Atlanta (under 3950.5 passing yards).If the Colts are good enough to win the division comfortably as -125 favorites or surpass their win total of 10, then they'll find themselves contenders for an AFC title (+1100). None of those are worth playing outside of the fact that they get their two easiest road games to start the season, and a 2-0 record will boost their rating. Those numbers may go away quickly, especially if they can score a Week 3 win at home against the Chiefs.If the Colts struggle at all in pass defense in their first two games but win them anyway, we may get better than -2.5 on Patrick Mahomes indoors in Week 3.Matt Russell is a betting writer for theScore. If there's a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on Twitter @mrussauthentic.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

One of Terry McLaurin's first orders of business after penning his extension is building a rapport with new quarterback Carson Wentz.The Washington Commanders receiver, who recently signed a three-year deal worth up to $71 million, described Wentz as "somebody I've connected with on a very personal level" during his presser Wednesday, according to Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post.He also said he would be flying out to train with Wentz following the presser and that the quarterback checked in on him throughout the offseason."That's why I can't wait to get out there and start throwing with him," McLaurin told reporters, including ESPN's John Keim. "I'm really excited to see what he does."The 26-year-old is eyeing postseason success in hopes of pushing for a Super Bowl as his next goal and believes his connection with teammates, including Wentz, will play a big role in that."I think, truly, you have the most success individually when you have the most success as a team," McLaurin said. "Having that relationship with Carson, I really want to develop and make as strong as possible, so he knows he can trust not only me as a player but as a person."I got his back. I know he's been through a lot in his career, and I know we'll get to touch on that, but I'm a guy who's going to have your back, man. And it's not just him; that's how I feel about everyone in this locker room (and) in this building."Wentz, who was acquired after a one-year run with the Indianapolis Colts, will be McLaurin's ninth different passer since he entered the league in 2019. Despite the ever-changing status of the team's quarterback position, McLaurin has yet to register under 900 receiving yards in a season.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Titans provided bettors a winning ticket in the awards/props markets last season, but it wasn't who we necessarily expected. Derrick Henry (+400) was the favorite to win the rushing title before suffering an injury that knocked him out of the regular season. His foot fracture opened the door for Mike Vrabel to get credit for Tennessee's ride to the AFC's top seed. Vrabel's winning tickets for Coach of the Year were available at 25-1 ahead of the 2021 campaign.The Titans also cashed modest tickets on an AFC South division title and hit the over on their win total relatively early. Do these 2021 accolades mean a drastic market reinterpretation of Tennessee one year later? Simply put, no.2022 Season oddsMarket OddsWin total9 (-115/-105)Division+170Conference+1500Super Bowl+3000The Titans won 11 games in 2020 but had a season win total of nine last summer. Their 12-win campaign in 2021 gets them virtually no more extra credit with all records reset to 0-0. In fact, the Colts adding a veteran quarterback has done more to lengthen Tennessee's divisional odds than anything that happened in Nashville this offseason.Schedule outlookWeekOpponentLookahead line1NYG-6.52@BUF+73LV-14@IND+35@WSHPK7INDPK8@HOU-5.59@KC+610DENPK11@GB+4.512CINPK13@PHI+214JAX-6.515@LAC+516HOU-817DAL-1.518@JAX-3Seven games lined inside of a field goal feels like a lot, but it makes sense for a team projected to go 9-8. The Titans have won more of those pick'em games than they lost the last two seasons. Whether that's sustainable or not can be bet either via their win total or on a game-to-game basis.SWOT AnalysisStrengthsVrabel's ability to find an edge to keep Tennessee in games against teams with more high-profile talent shone through last season, but the Titans would prefer to put the team on Henry's shoulders.Tennessee traded A.J. Brown, but the additions of Robert Woods, Treylon Burks, and Austin Hooper will be able to take advantage of the openings Henry creates. Julio Jones was never going to make a difference at this point in his career, so dividing the workload will mitigate any perceived weakness.WeaknessesWhile the Titans pieced together a running game by committee with Henry injured last year, that production didn't translate much in the way of fear for their replacement tailbacks. As a result, Ryan Tannehill didn't find the same open windows as he did previously. Tannehill's touchdown-to-interception ratio went from 33:7 in 2020 to 21:14 in 2021, with a drop in air yards per attempt (AY/A) of more than two yards per pass.Defensively, the Titans' front seven terrorized when healthy. You'll recall a dominant performance in Los Angeles on a Sunday night against the eventual Super Bowl champions. The back end has been a question mark in previous campaigns, but last year's pass defense improved to average, and there's some young talent in Kristian Fulton, Caleb Farley, and Roger McCreary. Veteran Kevin Byard can keep that group organized, so a perceived weakness may become a strength.OpportunitiesA surprise subtraction of a name like Brown will get negative attention, and Tannehill's performance in the divisional round against the Bengals wasn't overly inspiring. However, despite 23 wins in two seasons, the Titans might still be flying under the radar as the second choice in the AFC South.The recipe remains the same for Tennessee, and that means close games. Taking the points with the Titans is often a good idea when they face the Chiefs and Bills of the world. But when they're asked to pull away from an opponent, that's more than they are comfortable with.ThreatsTeams that can play a shootout style of football and force Tannehill to keep up with little disguise by the run are dangerous for what Tennessee wants to do. However, Jeffery Simmons and the Titans' pass rush will need to prevent those clubs from getting an early lead. On the flip side, Tennessee's offensive line wasn't nearly as good last season as in years past. The deterioration of that unit is a danger for Henry and Tannehill to drive the offense.How to bet the TitansHenry is +650 to win the rushing title, which was pretty much a lock to happen last year if he stayed healthy. Expect Henry to get back to his same workload after a season in which he didn't see 300-plus carries.If the Titans' college scouting department is right about Burks, he could emulate a high percentage of Brown's production and be a good bet for Offensive Rookie of the Year (+800).From a team perspective, now that Tennessee is as long as +170 to win a division it's owned the last few seasons, that implied win probability is far greater than the close to 50/50 chance I give the Titans to defend their crown.Matt Russell is a betting writer for theScore. If there's a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on Twitter @mrussauthentic.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons continues to set lofty goals ahead of the 2022 season.The Defensive Rookie of the Year is confident that he and Pro Bowl cornerback Trevon Diggs could eventually rival Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey from the Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams among the league's most dynamic defensive duos."It's hard to say we're the best because I know we're young and we still make mistakes," Parsons told USA Today Sports' Mackenzie Salmon. "It's hard to put us over Aaron Donald, the greatest defensive player in history, with Jalen Ramsey."So I won't do it yet. But I think we can become them or even better if we learn together and stick together."Donald and Ramsey share 10 All-Pro nods between them, with Donald receiving three Defensive Player of the Year awards.Meanwhile, Parsons made a favorable impression in his debut campaign. He tallied 84 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, and 13 sacks while lining up in multiple positions within the Cowboys' defense.Diggs enjoyed a breakout campaign in his second year with Dallas. He led the NFL with 11 interceptions, including two that were returned for touchdowns. Parsons praised Diggs' penchant for getting turnovers, saying he'd "take that any day of the week."Parsons also defended Diggs, who's been criticized for lapses in coverage despite his success at creating turnovers."His (risk) is pointed out more because he has such a one-on-one position. ... It's disrespectful to me, because I think he deserves all the credit in the world and deserves to be named a top-five corner if not the best corner in the league," Parsons said.The 2021 first-team All-Pro linebacker has shared his ambitions of not only leading the Cowboys in sacks again, but also breaking the league's single-season sack record.Parsons expects his production to leap after adjusting from his experience as a rookie."I think I kind of know where I want to be and where I'm at in this league," he said.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Former NFL wide receiver Demaryius Thomas, who died last December, was posthumously diagnosed with stage 2 chronic traumatic encephalopathy, his parents told ABC News' Katie Conway.Thomas died because of a seizure disorder that led to cardiac arrest, which was identified after donating his brain to research, his family said. The coroner's office in Fulton County has yet to officially rule on the cause of his death, per Ken Belson of the New York Times."Cardiac arrest, you know, is the way that they're trying to say - what kinda happened to him," Demaryius' father, Bobby Thomas, told Conway. He added that his son suffocated.Thomas, 33, was found unresponsive in a shower at his home in Roswell, Georgia, in December. Local police said preliminary information led them to believe that Thomas suffered from a medical issue.He experienced violent seizures that Dr. Ann McKee believes were the result of severe injuries he incurred outside of football, including a car wreck and a fall down stone stairs.McKee, director of Boston University's CTE Center, explained that the degenerative brain disease, which can only be diagnosed posthumously, was not a direct factor in Thomas' death."CTE itself does not cause death," she said. "You don't die from CTE. What CTE does is it changes your behavior and your personality."Thomas' parents noted that he dealt with paranoia, memory loss, headaches, and mood swings in the year leading up to his death.The four-time Pro Bowler announced his retirement from the NFL last July after 10 seasons. The 2010 first-round pick spent most of his career with the Denver Broncos, winning Super Bowl 50 with the team, and also had stints with the Houston Texans and New York Jets.The Georgia Tech product recorded 724 receptions for 9,763 receiving yards and 63 touchdowns over his pro career.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find positional rankings, additional analysis, and 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.In an effort to help you find trades that could improve your fantasy team, we present the Dynasty Trade Value Chart.You can use this chart to compare players and build realistic trade offers. Values are based on 12-team PPR leagues.Follow the links below to see the trade values for each position.Dynasty Rankings & Trade Values

While the division-rival Jaguars have had the first pick in the last two drafts, this is the second year in a row where the Texans come in with the worst rating in the NFL before Week 1. Their bottom win total suggests a power rating of 26/100, making them worse than the first team we discussed in our offseason analysis of all 32.Houston's on its fourth head coach since the pandemic started, with the most recent variant being Lovie Smith. David Culley somehow managed four wins in 2021 with the worst roster in the league, but instead of that being good enough for a second season, the Texans decided it was a good idea to pull Smith off the heap of recycled NFL coaches.The market certainly doesn't care for Smith, perhaps because he's 36 games under .500 in his last two head-coaching stops - the Buccaneers and Illinois.2022 season oddsMarket OddsWin total4.5 (-110/-110)Division+2500Conference+8000Super Bowl+17500The Texans' odds for the conference - and Super Bowl - might as well have a few more zeros added to the end because they don't matter. It's not happening. Even an uninspiring AFC South isn't enough to make the Texans much shorter than 25-1 to win their division. The only market worth considering for a bet is the win total.Schedule outlookWeekOpponentLookahead line1IND+82@DEN+10.53@CHI+34LAC+85@JAX+3.57@LV+88TEN+5.59PHI+5.510@NYG+311WSH+312@MIA+713CLEN/A14@DAL+815KC+1016@TEN+817JAXPK18@IND+10While there's no lookahead line for a Week 13 matchup with the Browns, I would have to be taking the snaps under center for Cleveland in that game for it not to be favored. Otherwise, the closest the Texans will get to being favorites is a January matchup at home against the Jags.SWOT analysisStrengthsAdmittedly, when dealing with the Texans - particularly their roster - you have to think theoretically. In theory, the Texans' offensive line should be above-average. Last year, Laremy Tunsil was lost for the season in October after thumb surgery. Given how much capital they spent on securing a top-end left tackle, no team would be able to survive a loss like that.The Texans have fourth-year starter and former first-round pick Tytus Howard slotted on the right side after playing well at both guard and tackle spots last year. Justin Britt is a veteran center, and the Texans prudently used a first-round pick on guard Kenyon Green.WeaknessesIf there's a story of hope for the offensive line, there's little elsewhere on the Texans' roster. The offensive skill positions peak at Brandin Cooks, above a series of journeymen pass-catchers and tailbacks.Their top pick, Derek Stingley, might be so good no opponent ever throws at him. Unfortunately, that means quarterbacks will just throw toward other matchups - almost any of which would be bad for Houston.OpportunitiesFrom a betting standpoint, there'll be chances to bet on the Texans. Since they're rated as the worst team in the league, it will be challenging for them to disappoint and much easier for them to pleasantly surprise on a game-to-game basis. They will sometimes get more points than they should - particularly across key numbers.Specifically, the opportunity for success stems from Davis Mills getting more time to throw behind a healthy offensive line - which didn't exist for him last year. The formerly high-touted, prep-school star got an early chance to play last season and showed flashes of the quarterback many thought he could be when he signed with Stanford as a top recruit. In the five games he started after replacing Tyrod Taylor late, he threw nine touchdowns to just two interceptions and was sacked less than twice per game.ThreatsInjuries, general coaching incompetence, and the perils of a roster devoid of high-end talent could threaten the Texans' season. When expectations are so low, the threats are obvious and redundant to identify.How to bet the TexansThe best bet during Texans games last year might be the same play to make this season. Davis Mills overs (attempts, completions, yards) allowed bettors to take advantage of short totals set on low expectations. Depending on what number you got in Week 14, Mills finished either 6-3 or 7-2 to the over on his passing yard totals.He'll be throwing deep into games, keeping the Texans in touch as a point-spread bet - particularly in the division. However, asking Houston to win more games than last year after such a lame head-coaching hire isn't appealing, even with such a low total.Matt Russell is a betting writer for theScore. If there's a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on Twitter @mrussauthentic.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Robert Griffin III isn't ruling out a potential return to the NFL."I am ready to go right now," the quarterback and ESPN analyst recently told Christopher Williams of KWTX. "I train every day. I throw and work out. I know what it takes to get my body ready, and I am doing those things."Yes, it is a little bit tougher when you are flying around everywhere doing stuff for TV, but when you really want something, you make it work. So, if I get that call this year, next year, or five years from now, I will be ready to play."Griffin hasn't played since replacing Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson in a start against the Pittsburgh Steelers in December 2020. The Ravens released him at the end of that season.The 32-year-old then joined ESPN as a college football and NFL analyst."Sometimes we don't know that God has a calling for us in a certain area until we do it. This is something that has been natural for me," Griffin said of his transition to the broadcast booth. "Now, I just feel like it is on me and the people around me to continue to hold me accountable to be the guy that I know that I am. To be a storyteller. To tell guys' stories the right way. That is a big point of emphasis for me."He added: "I still love to play, but right now I am just focused on doing the best as I can as a storyteller and giving back to football as much as I can."Griffin said in May that multiple teams contacted him after he ran a 4.48-second 40-yard dash in April.The Baylor product took the NFL by storm after the Washington Redskins drafted him second overall in 2012, earning the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. However, he couldn't replicate that success in the following years largely due to injuries, including a torn ACL sustained at the end of his rookie campaign.The former Pro Bowler spent four seasons in Washington before enjoying stints with the Cleveland Browns (2016) and Ravens (2018-20).Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

We're starting at the bottom of the league with our first of 32 offseason team-by-team betting previews. Owners of the NFL's worst record (4-29) over the last two years, the Jaguars truly earned their back-to-back first overall picks, and what they did with that capital will directly impact what is a pivotal 2022.The one big thing to be excited about in Duval County is the addition of Super Bowl-winning head coach Doug Pederson, while the stench of the Urban Meyer era slowly dissipates. That glimmer of hope has their odds in a variety of betting markets in the territory of "cautiously optimistic."2022 season oddsMarket Odds (O/U)Win total6.5 (+110/-130)Division+700Conference+4000Super Bowl+10000Despite a season that would have bettors thinking "same old Jags," their prescribed win total of 6.5 this season is the same as it was before 2021 when they opened the year as 3.5-point road favorites in Week 1.Schedule outlookWeekOpponent Lookahead line1@WSH+42IND+4.53@LAC+104@PHI+6.55HOU-3.56@IND+77NYG-1.58DEN+6.59LV+310@KC+1012BAL+413@DET+214@TEN+6.515DAL+3.516@NYJ+2.517@HOUPK18TEN+3With an optimistic 6.5-game win total translating into a market power rating of 38/100, there are some short spreads late in the season if you want to sell the Jags already.SWOT analysisStrengthsThe Jaguars will have the addition-by-subtraction element of a more professional training camp run by their new head coach, but they'll also have some addition by non-subtraction with the expectation that Travis Etienne will finally play.Lost amid Trevor Lawrence's disappointing season is that he was without his Clemson teammate. The dual-threat running back can provide easy completions for Lawrence out of the backfield or after lining up in the slot. Of course, Laviska Shenault was supposed to do that, too.WeaknessesI would've preferred Jaguars ownership completely cleaned house, but GM Trent Baalke clung to his job and got to decide who the franchise drafted first overall. Jacksonville chose linebacker Travon Walker rather than getting more help on the offensive line for Lawrence. Giving a long-term extension to Cam Robinson just maintains mediocrity on Lawrence's blindside, and adding Brandon Scherff at guard will only do so much. Instead, Baalke threw around his ample cap room on unspectacular veteran pass-catchers Evan Engram and Christian Kirk.Instead of offensive line help, the Jaguars focused on defense in the draft but spent high-end draft capital on the relatively low-leverage position of off-ball linebacker with Walker. The run defense should improve, but that's the least of most teams' worries in this era.OpportunitiesAn uninspiring AFC North division and a fourth-place schedule that projects the Jaguars as double-digit underdogs just twice this season means there's an opportunity for them to move up in the football world.If Lawrence can click with Pederson, and the Jaguars can improve on their first-half offense - which ranked third-worst - the defense will have a better chance to keep the team in games. In closer games, James Robinson and Etienne can have more of a positive effect, while a thin offensive line can have less of a negative effect.ThreatsThe most obvious threat comes from within the Jaguars' facility. The culture of losing and mistrust throughout the organization is unlikely to be washed away in one offseason. Even after Meyer was ousted, it's not like Lawrence came alive. In a way, Lawrence may have found the same thing that Meyer did: Winning when you're not surrounded by superior talent compared to your opposition is considerably more difficult.How to bet the JaguarsUsually, with a bad team, you can pinpoint a first-year player for Rookie of the Year, but with Lawrence's first season burned and Walker unlikely to rack up stats or jump off the screen, there's nothing there. No one is likely to put a scare in any statistical lead, so the most optimistic pro-Jaguars bet might be Etienne (+1600) to win Comeback Player of the Year if he can show his Clemson form.If the Jaguars surpass their 6.5-game win total, the credit will be given to Pederson, who is 20-1 to win Coach of the Year. That's probably worth a look if you think the Jags have something of a rebirth season - and perhaps even if you don't. If you're betting on things to go right for Jacksonville, bet long-odds results at a low cost.It's more likely they continue to have trouble protecting Lawrence, leaving him open to injury or general panic in the pocket. There are no answers on the depth chart should anything go awry, so the safest bet is under 6.5 wins. Even a five- or six-win season could be construed as a step in the right direction after four total victories between 2020-21.Matt Russell is a betting writer for theScore. If there's a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on Twitter @mrussauthentic.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans thought Tom Brady was kidding around when he sent him a cryptic message on the day the quarterback announced he was unretiring."He text me and he sent me an article where his (last touchdown) ball sold for over 500 grand, the last touchdown that I threw in the stands against the Rams. He's like 'that's a lot of tuition money,' and I just laughed," Evans said to Ari Alexander of KPRC2. "I said in my defense, I didn't know you were going to retire right there, and he just sent back a laughing emoji, saying 'there's more touchdowns in our future.'"So, I'm just thinking that he's trolling me or I don't know what he's talking about. A few hours later, it's announced that he's coming back and I was happy."Brady retired shortly after the Bucs' playoff loss to the Rams. However, he sent shockwaves through the NFL by announcing his return less than two months later.The 44-year-old has built a great rapport with Evans, especially in the end zone. Evans caught a career-high 14 touchdowns last season from Brady while the veteran passer also finished with a personal-best 5,316 passing yards.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Odell Beckham revealed on Saturday that he played the latter part of the 2021 campaign "without an ACL."

Green Bay Packers legend Brett Favre expects a statistical drop-off from Davante Adams now that the All-Pro wide receiver won't catch passes from Aaron Rodgers anymore.Adams joined the Las Vegas Raiders in a stunning trade from the Packers this offseason, reviving a connection with quarterback Derek Carr that began in college at Fresno State."I do think that Davante will make Derek Carr better, and in time they will be a dynamic duo," Favre told TMZ Sports. "Now, will it be the duo that Aaron and Davante had? Time will tell. I think Derek Carr is a very good quarterback, but he's not in Aaron's league yet. May never be. And that's no disrespect."It's just hard to shift gears, especially from a player as prolific as Aaron Rodgers. I'd be shocked if he had the same year he's had in previous years. That's not to say he can't do it, but I would be shocked."Favre doesn't think Rodgers will miss Adams as much, though."Aaron's too good," Favre said. "Most like Tom Brady has gone into every season and managed to just systematically tear teams apart with whoever, it doesn't matter. And that will be the case with Aaron. Aaron will have a tremendous year."Adams has missed seven regular-season games since 2019, but Rodgers turned out just fine without him. The four-time NFL MVP passed for 2,049 yards and 19 touchdowns against just one interception in those contests.Meanwhile, Rodgers was sidelined just once over the last three seasons - last year against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 9. Adams was targeted 14 times but caught only six passes for 42 yards with Jordan Love under center for Green Bay.Adams and Rodgers formed one of football's most productive duos in recent memory since Green Bay drafted Adams in the second round in 2014. The wideout's 238 receptions and 29 touchdown catches since 2020 lead the NFL.Carr, a three-time Pro Bowler, tossed a career-high 4,804 yards to go along with 23 touchdowns and 14 interceptions last year.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

San Francisco 49ers legend Jerry Rice thinks the team is in good hands with Trey Lance at quarterback."I think he's ready to go," Rice told KSBW. "I think he's incredible because he has that one aspect that Jimmy (Garoppolo) doesn't have, and that's the threat of running with the ball and stuff like that. His mobility. His strong arm. This guy is before his time. He's a young kid, but he's very experienced, and I think he's ready to go."Garoppolo has been the 49ers' main passer over the last four seasons, but San Francisco's expected to move on from him this year and give the starting role to Lance, who it drafted third overall in 2021.The 49ers' quarterback situation has been a topic of debate. Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana said in February he doesn't think Lance's ready yet, adding his former team should keep Garoppolo.Lance had limited playing time as a rookie, mostly enjoying situational in-game appearances in the first month of the season. The 22-year-old started two games in place of an injured Garoppolo throughout the campaign, passing for two touchdowns to two interceptions in those starts. Lance finished 2021 with 168 yards and one score on 38 carries.The North Dakota State product started only one full season in college, throwing for 28 touchdowns with no interceptions to go along with 1,100 yards and 14 scores on the ground.The 49ers were 9-6 with Garoppolo at quarterback in 2021. The 30-year-old, who tossed 20 touchdowns against 12 picks in the regular season, guided San Francisco to the NFC title game, though he was limited to only two touchdown passes and three interceptions in the playoffs.Garoppolo owns a 31-14 regular-season record in San Francisco since being traded from the New England Patriots. Injuries have forced him to miss 25 games since 2018.He was expected to be moved earlier this offseason, but his trade value took a hit after he underwent shoulder surgery. Garoppolo's recovery is on schedule, and he's expected to resume throwing in July, a source told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and wide receiver Tyreek Hill have been criticized for a perceived lack of on-field chemistry this offseason, but the two stars don't think it will be an issue when the season begins.Hill and Tagovailoa joked about their chemistry on the latest episode of the wideout's "It Needed To Be Said" podcast, citing the NBA's dynastic 1990s Chicago Bulls."(Dolphins fans) should expect a Dennis Rodman and a Carmen Electra connection," Hill said, jokingly referring to the nine-day marriage between the former player and model.Tagovailoa then suggested he be Michael Jordan instead."I've been underthrowing him so many times that he's got people talking about how I can't throw the deep ball," Tagovailoa jokingly added, in reference to a viral video of him underthrowing Hill at practice.Hill has no doubt that he'll soon be on the same page as his quarterback."It's all good," he said. "I just feel that our chemistry will get there. Look, it's going to be about 2 a.m. one night and you're gonna wake up and walk in your kitchen and I'm going to be washing your dishes. That's how good our chemistry is going to be."The Dolphins acquired Hill from the Kansas City Chiefs this year in a blockbuster trade and then signed him to a record five-year deal that will pay the pass-catcher $30 million annually. Hill, who's earned a Pro Bowl nod in every season since entering the NFL in 2016, racked up 198 receptions for 2,515 yards and 24 touchdowns over the last two campaigns.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Former Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler is rooting for Justin Fields to buck the trend of inconsistent play at the position ahead of his second season."I hope Justin is successful, and I hope he's the next big thing here and he's the best quarterback to come out of Chicago Bears history," Cutler said, according to Jason Lieser of the Chicago Sun-Times.Fields endured an uneven league debut after sitting behind Andy Dalton to start the season. He ultimately played in 12 games and started 10, passing for 1,870 yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions with a 58.9 completion percentage. He also rushed for 420 yards and two scores.Cutler, who was with the Bears from 2009-2016, played under three head coaches and six offensive coordinators during his Chicago tenure. The former Pro Bowl passer is pulling for Fields to avoid similar circumstances during his time with the franchise."It's hard for a quarterback," Cutler said. "You look across the league, and the guys that are really good at quarterback have the same coaches and same systems each year."The former Bears star compared learning a new offense to attempting to translate a different language.Fields will play under his second coach in as many campaigns after Chicago parted with general manager Ryan Pace and bench boss Matt Nagy. The Bears replaced Nagy with Matt Eberflus, who then entrusted the development of the club's franchise signal-caller to offensive coordinator Luke Getsy.The 11th overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft has displayed progression from his rookie season into his first offseason as a pro.Chicago is optimistic that a supporting cast including David Montgomery and Darnell Mooney, as well as offseason additions Byron Pringle and Equanimeous St. Brown, will help Fields make a leap during his second year.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Amari Cooper is ready to take on the responsibilities of leading a young receiving corps entering his first season with the Cleveland Browns."That's the position I'm in now," Cooper said, according to team reporter Anthony Poisal. "These guys look at me like an old guy. They pay a lot of attention to detail, and they know the importance of coming in every day and knowing their stuff and trying to perfect everything they do."Cooper, 28, is the second-oldest member of the Browns' wideout group, behind only Jakeem Grant Sr. (29). The four-time Pro Bowler was acquired in a trade with the Dallas Cowboys for a pair of late-round picks in the 2022 NFL Draft.Donovan Peoples-Jones led the Browns with 597 receiving yards in 2021, while veteran Jarvis Landry led the team with 52 receptions despite missing multiple contests due to injury. Cooper has the opportunity this season to lead the Browns' receivers on and off the field."A lot of leadership comes with experience and age," Cooper said. "It becomes easier and easier over time because, from what I see now, leadership is just experience."The often quiet Cooper seems to have made a favorable impression on his new teammates. "He sets that standard; like we have to shut up and get our work done," Anthony Schwartz said.The veteran Cooper is now with his third team following stints with the Cowboys and Oakland Raiders. He's expected to lead a group that features Peoples-Jones, Schwartz, and rookie David Bell.The Browns will look to improve on a passing attack that ranked 27th in the NFL last season, averaging 195.3 yards per game.Cooper has surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in two of his past three seasons. He recorded 68 receptions for 865 yards and eight touchdowns last year.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy is optimistic that the 2022 season will be special after the club acquired quarterback Russell Wilson."Every detail matters with (Wilson)," Jeudy said, according to Troy Renck of Denver7 News. "You learn a lot, just how hard he works and how focused he is when he's on the field and on the board."Jeudy added: "I feel like we are going to be a very explosive team. I feel like we've got all the pieces we needed, so we've just gotta put it together, and I am excited that is going to happen."Wilson, a former Super Bowl champion, brings leadership and stability to the Broncos after spending 10 seasons with the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle traded the nine-time Pro Bowl passer to the Broncos for a bevy of picks that included two first-round selections.Meanwhile, Jeudy is looking to bounce back after experiencing a series of setbacks last season. The 2020 first-round selection missed seven games in his second year due to an ankle injury and time spent on the COVID-19 list. He tallied 38 receptions for 467 yards and zero touchdowns while averaging 12.3 yards per catch.The Alabama product is hopeful that with Wilson under center, he can surpass his totals from a promising rookie season in 2020. He recorded 52 receptions for 856 yards and three touchdowns in his first year.Jeudy also shared that he is healthy ahead of training camp after missing OTAs with a strained groin. The 23-year-old wideout is expected to be a key figure in a Broncos' pass-catching group that features Courtland Sutton, KJ Hamler, and Tim Patrick.Denver is aiming to improve its 7-10 record from last season. The AFC West club hired Nathaniel Hackett as its head coach after parting ways with Vic Fangio. The former Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator will attempt to elevate Denver's 211.4 passing yards per game and 10.9 yards per reception averages from last year.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Wide receiver Terry McLaurin believes he's ready to meet the Washington Commanders' expectations after signing a lucrative contract extension with the club."Playing in the NFL is a blessing and something I will never take for granted," McLaurin wrote in an open letter Thursday. "From the moment I stepped foot on the field as a seven-year-old to now, I continue to respect the game, play it the right way, and leave everything I have on the field. I love the grind and the process of getting better."He added: "From the day I was drafted, I've had the singular goal to win a Super Bowl with this franchise. This is on my mind every day when I walk into the building. While I am both humbled and ecstatic about this contract, it motivates me to work even harder."I understand and embrace the responsibility that comes with signing this extension. To whom much is given, much is required. There is no other place I would rather be or fan base I would want to represent."McLaurin also thanked the Commanders and his teammates."As with any life-altering achievement, nobody accomplishes it alone," he noted.Washington gave McLaurin - the team's No. 1 offensive weapon - a three-year contract extension worth up to $71 million Tuesday. The 26-year-old's new $23.3-million average annual salary ranks seventh among wide receivers, according to Spotrac.A third-round pick in 2019, McLaurin entered 2022 with only one year left on his rookie contract. The Ohio State product skipped mandatory minicamp and OTAs amid stalled negotiations with the Commanders.McLaurin has led his team in receiving in each of the last three seasons. He's racked up 222 catches for 3,090 yards and 16 touchdowns since entering the NFL despite Washington's struggles at quarterback.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New Orleans Saints defensive end Payton Turner delivered a positive update Wednesday after missing a majority of his rookie season.

Miles Sanders says there's a great feeling among members of the Philadelphia Eagles."We all feel like we're on an All-Star team, so we feel great," Sanders told CBS Sports' Cody Benjamin. "We feel unstoppable, I'm not gonna lie."He added: "The vibes are great, always have been. (Head coach) Nick Sirianni is doing a great job just keeping the vibes right, the chemistry good. We compete a lot in practice. But we've gotta see. It's gonna come down to camp, taking it day by day, putting everything together."Excitement has grown for the Eagles since the team acquired Pro Bowl wide receiver A.J. Brown in a blockbuster trade with the Tennessee Titans in April.Brown joins an offense that already features the likes of Sanders in the backfield, Jalen Hurts under center, and DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert as receiving threats.The Eagles have also bolstered their defense with the likes of first-round defensive tackle Jordan Davis and third-round linebacker Nakobe Dean, in addition to free-agent signee Haason Reddick.Sirianni led the Eagles to the postseason in 2021, his first year as head coach, though the team was one-and-done. Philadelphia has made the playoffs in three of the four years since its Super Bowl LII victory but has yet to exceed nine wins in each of those four campaigns.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Justin Herbert is confident his Los Angeles Chargers can compete against the league's best, but he knows they must be more consistent to do so."It's all about consistency," Herbert said on "SiriusXM NFL Radio." "We have to put together a full season for us to play the football that we want to."The Chargers narrowly missed the postseason last year despite finishing with a 9-8 record due to a late-season slide that involved an overtime loss to the Las Vegas Raiders and a shocking defeat to the 4-13 Houston Texans. The club struggled with balance as it placed fifth in scoring but 29th in points allowed.Los Angeles responded accordingly this offseason, adding the likes of Khalil Mack and J.C. Jackson, among others. However, other AFC West teams also improved, with the Denver Broncos acquiring Russell Wilson and the Raiders landing Davante Adams."We've definitely added some guys on defense, picked up a few guys on offense, and had a great offseason so far," Herbert noted.He added: "As soon as the season comes, we understand it's all about execution and being sharp week in and week out, never looking ahead, and making sure we're doing everything we can to give ourselves a shot on Sundays."Herbert has thrown for 9,350 yards with 69 touchdowns to 25 interceptions over his first two seasons, though he's still in search of his first career postseason berth.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence praised Doug Pederson on Tuesday, saying the head coach's leadership has been a difference-maker for the franchise so far."We're building toward something special," Lawrence said, according to CBS Sports' Cody Benjamin. "It's been great, just the way (Doug) interacts with the team, the way he leads. I think personality-wise, we're similar. We get along well."Lawrence added: "Obviously, he played quarterback, he's won a Super Bowl as a player and as a coach, so he knows how to get there. He knows how to do it. I think that's really important to have in a leader like that. And just the energy he's brought to the building has been awesome."Pederson joined Jacksonville in February to replace Urban Meyer, who was fired partway through last season after a 2-11 start. The 54-year-old Pederson, who spent 2021 away from football, last coached the Philadelphia Eagles from 2016-20, winning one Super Bowl with the team. He also lifted the Lombardi Trophy as a backup quarterback for the Green Bay Packers during the 1996 season.Lawrence, the first overall pick in the 2021 draft, struggled as a rookie, completing just 59.6% of his passes for 3,641 yards and 12 touchdowns against a league-high 17 interceptions. The Jaguars finished the season 3-14, the worst record in the NFL."I think (last year) really taught me how to stay the same every day, to be consistent," Lawrence said. "Just my attitude, my work ethic, no matter how things are going. I know what it's like to struggle as a rookie."Now in my second year, I have a good feel for the schedule (and) can really feel like I'm prepared."Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin is signing a three-year extension that's worth up to $71 million, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.The new deal will place McLaurin among the league's top-five highest-paid wideouts. It also contains a $28-million signing bonus, the largest figure given to a receiver, per Schefter. Additionally, over 76% of the wideout's extension is guaranteed.McLaurin, who had one more year remaining on his rookie pact, will now be under contract with the Commanders through the 2025 season.Signing McLaurin to a new contract has been one of Washington's biggest offseason priorities. Head coach Ron Rivera spoke positively of talks with McLaurin earlier in June after the receiver skipped mandatory minicamp and OTAs.The 26-year-old wideout has been an integral part of Washington's offense since being selected in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He's put up at least 900 receiving yards in each of his three seasons and is coming off a 1,053-yard campaign in 2021.McLaurin is the second big-name receiver from the talented 2019 draft to receive a lucrative extension. A.J. Brown struck a four-year, $100-million extension with the Philadelphia Eagles in April.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Former Pro Bowl cornerback Aqib Talib is joining Amazon's team for Thursday Night Football, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Talib will be involved in pregame, halftime, and postgame coverage on TNF, Rapoport adds.Former Los Angeles Rams offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth is also expected to come onboard Amazon's studio team, Ryan Glasspiegel of The New York Post reports.Whitworth retired this offseason following the Rams' victory in Super Bowl LVI. Talib has worked sporadically in the broadcast booth for Fox Sports since 2020.Amazon's star-studded crew also features the likes of Richard Sherman, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Al Michaels, and Kirk Herbstreit, among others.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Adrian Peterson and Le'Veon Bell are set to exchange blows in the boxing ring.The veteran running backs have signed contracts for an exhibition heavyweight boxing contest July 30 at Crypto.com Arena as part of YouTuber Austin McBroom's Social Gloves 2 event, sources told Mike Coppinger of ESPN.Bell was already set to be on the card, though an opponent wasn't revealed at the time.Both rushers punished NFL defenses during their respective primes. Bell made three Pro Bowls and earned two first-team All-Pro nods between 2014-2017. Peterson tallied eight 1,000-yard-plus campaigns and led the league in rushing on three occasions. His 2,097-yard 2012 season also earned him NFL MVP.Bell, 30, and Peterson, 37 have bounced around different teams in recent years. They both remain NFL free agents.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Baker Mayfield believes a reconciliation with the Cleveland Browns is a long shot even if the team may require another quarterback if Deshaun Watson is suspended."I think it's been pretty obvious the mutual decision on both sides is to move on," Mayfield said Tuesday, according to Casey Murdock and Eddie Radosevich of Sooner Scoop. "I'm thankful for my four years in Cleveland.""No," Mayfield added when asked if there was any chance to mend bridges. "I think for that to happen there would have to be some reaching out. But, we're ready to move on, I think, on both sides."Mayfield's relationship with the Browns has been strained since the team acquired Watson in a shocking deal with the Houston Texans. He requested a trade shortly after learning of Cleveland's interest in Watson and later said he felt "disrespected."The NFL is reportedly pushing for an indefinite suspension for Watson that would last at least a year. Watson is set to begin disciplinary hearings with the league this week. The quarterback reached settlements last week with 20 of the 24 women who sued him and accused him of sexual misconduct or sexual assault during massage sessions.Potential next stops for Mayfield were rumored to include the Carolina Panthers and Seattle Seahawks. The Panthers reportedly reached out about a trade during the draft, but the Browns were unwilling to cover most of Mayfield's salary. Cleveland apparently has no plans to release Mayfield, who is due $18.86 million this season.Other quarterbacks on the Browns roster include Jacoby Brissett and Joshua Dobbs.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Kayvon Thibodeaux is ready to attack his debut season with the New York Giants after dealing with a minor hip injury this spring."I'm fully healthy; I'm doing fine," Thibodeaux said Monday on "NFL Total Access," according to Brooke Cersosimo of NFL.com. "I'm back training, and I'll be ready to go for training camp."The fifth overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft was spotted working out to the side of the field during team activities this spring. Head coach Brian Daboll declined to discuss Thibodeaux's health status during OTAs and minicamp.The Oregon product is expected to be a key piece in the Giants' efforts to revitalize a pass rush that finished 22nd in the league with 34 sacks last season.Thibodeaux recorded 126 tackles, 35.5 tackles for loss, and 19 sacks during his collegiate career. He posted 12 TFLs and seven sacks in 10 games in his final season at Oregon.Thibodeaux shared some of his goals ahead of his first NFL campaign."If I could average at least one sack a game or contribute five to 10 tackles a game, then I'll be good," he said.The young pass-rusher is being mentored by Hall of Fame defensive end Michael Strahan, who has shown him how to be a pro and build his brand."We always talk about being strategic in everything we do, so he's kind of helped hone that in," Thibodeaux said.Along with Thibodeaux, the Giants' front seven also includes Leonard Williams, Dexter Lawrence, and Azeez Ojulari.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The USFL will be back for its second season in 2023, Fox Sports CEO and Executive Producer Eric Shanks confirmed to John Ourand of Sports Business Journal.All eight teams in the league played their games in Birmingham, Alabama, this season but will play out of two-to-four markets next year, according to Shanks.The goal is for each team to eventually play out of its home city, Shanks adds.The number of teams will remain at eight for 2023, though there is a possibility of expansion in the following years."We've always had an expansion plan that could potentially come into play in Year 3 and beyond," Shanks said.Previous spring football leagues, including the Alliance of American Football and two incarnations of the XFL, failed to make it to a second season.The USFL announced its intention to relaunch in 2021. The league is nearing the finish of its 2022 campaign, its first season since 1986. The Philadelphia Stars are set to take on the Birmingham Stallions in the championship game Sunday, July 3.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The main takeaway from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell's testimony before the House Committee on Oversight and Reform last week is that the committee's main target - Washington Commanders owner/general embarrassment Daniel Snyder - would be subpoenaed to testify at some point, too.But what will come of it? Can Congress force Snyder to sell the franchise? Can it compel the NFL into booting Snyder from its ranks? Ignoring a subpoena can have serious consequences, including the possibility of jail time. But the potential impact of the congressional inquiry of Snyder isn't quite as clear-cut as it seems.Daniel Wallach, a sports-law attorney who also teaches at the University of Miami, says we shouldn't expect to see Snyder sitting under the hot lights while nervously sipping water and wiping the flop sweat from his brow this week - or anytime soon.For one thing, as long as Snyder remains out of the country - he was on a yacht in France on the day of last week's hearing - it's not clear how he can even be served a subpoena. In a life-imitates-art moment straight out of "The Godfather Part II," Matthew Paras of The Washington Times reported Sunday that Snyder's lawyer told the committee she isn't authorized to accept the summons on his behalf. So there's that.No matter: Once he is served, look for a protracted legal battle to play out over the purpose of the House committee's investigation, along with the kind of information Snyder may or may not be able to claim is privileged. Not to mention the fact time is running out."This is not one of those situations where everything is black and white," Wallach told theScore.Daniel Snyder, left, with his wife Tanya Snyder in 2020. The Washington Post / Getty ImagesFor years, the Commanders' workplace culture was particularly toxic and hostile toward women. The NFL investigated that before handing Snyder a comically light punishment in July 2021. But the league also refused to make a written report of its findings public, while also acknowledging that its investigator, Beth Wilkinson, did not turn over any notes or documentary evidence produced by her inquiry.Congress got involved in October when the committee called on the NFL to cough up Wilkinson's investigative findings. In February, six former Washington employees - including five women - appeared before the House committee to detail even more allegations of workplace hostility. One woman, former cheerleader and team marketing manager Tiffani Johnston, accused Snyder himself of inappropriately touching and harassing her. A few weeks later, the NFL launched yet another inquiry into Snyder and the Commanders, this time tapping Mary Jo White to run it. White, a former federal prosecutor, had assisted the league on a handful of prior investigations.This being Dan Snyder, there was still more to come. In April, former longtime team executive Jason Friedman told the House committee about alleged financial improprieties within the Commanders organization that included the withholding of ticket revenues meant to be shared with opposing teams. The NFL expanded the scope of White's investigation to include these allegations, and the attorneys general of the District of Columbia and the state of Virginia also began poking around on it.As Wallach explained, Goodell had every incentive to accept the House committee's invitation to testify last week because Congress has the power to mess with the league by passing laws ranging from its antitrust exemption to its franchise-relocation policy. Besides, Goodell's job is primarily to serve as a human shield for the league's 32 owners. He took a few shots, but otherwise, the hearing revealed little more than how dysfunctional and incompetent Congress really is. The Republicans on the committee used their time to gum up the works with nonsense and whataboutery, while the Democrats largely failed to ask the right questions before running out of time. It was like watching a Commanders game for most of Snyder's 23-year stewardship as owner.Contrary to popular belief, Congress does not have unlimited power to investigate someone like Snyder as a means of enforcing the law or doling out punishment, which are the responsibilities of the executive and judicial branches of the U.S. government. When it conducts an investigation, Congress has to stay in its lane, according to Wallach."They’re studying this issue of workplace misconduct and the use of (non-disclosure agreements) because the National Football League is such a high-profile organization and its actions can have a channeling effect on the rest of American society," Wallach said. "So to that extent, this is a legitimate task of the Congress." Brett Carlsen / Getty ImagesBut Snyder has a potential counterargument he can take to federal court, which is what's likely to happen soon as he's served a subpoena. And because the subpoena hasn't yet been issued, it's impossible to know exactly what Congress is trying to find."But it could also go beyond its scope," Wallach added. "There's a fine line between lawmaking and singling somebody out for punishment."Wallach further pointed out that the courts are usually reluctant to intrude into the activities of the legislative and executive branches."To expect a federal court to shut this down may be unrealistic for Dan Snyder, but he does have the argument that the documents being requested from him may be protected by attorney-client privilege,” Wallach said. “There is a debate as to whether it even applies in a congressional committee investigation."Those are going to be the two cornerstone issues that Dan Snyder will weaponize to avoid the subpoena."Snyder may also try to run out the clock here, too. There's a midterm election scheduled for November, and if the Republicans regain control of the House, it's almost certain the committee will drop its investigation into the Commanders once it assumes power in January."I think to the committee's detriment they waited too long," Wallach said. "Against the backdrop of the 2022 midterm elections, that seems to be an inefficient way to proceed if you're trying to accomplish anything here other than generating headlines. The time for action was months ago. Now we're heading into summertime, and it's unrealistic to expect finality on a hypothetical legal case prior to the end of the calendar year. It's really pushing up at the edges."The NFL is notorious for making disciplinary decisions based on public relations prerogatives. Yet even though its personal conduct policy explicitly says ownership has "traditionally been held to a higher standard and will be subject to more significant discipline," that has never been true, even as the policy has consistently targeted players.Rams owner Stan Kroenke had to pay $790 million to settle a lawsuit stemming from how the team misled the city of St. Louis and violated the league's relocation policy during its move to Los Angeles. Dolphins owner Stephen Ross currently is the subject of a discrimination lawsuit in which former head coach Brian Flores alleges Ross was willing to pay him extra to lose games. Jets owner Woody Johnson was accused of making racist and sexist comments while serving as the U.S. ambassador to the U.K. from 2017-21.Etc., etc. And yet nothing happens to any of these owners.Roger Goodell, left, with Rams owner Stan Kroenke. Pasadena Star-News / MediaNews Group / Getty Images"There's no accountability because the NFL answers to nobody," Wallach said. "Despite the parade of horribles, the popularity of the league has never been higher. Seemingly, they could survive anything yet become increasingly popular, the ratings keep rising, despite the fact that we're increasingly learning how awful some of the owners are."You've almost taken the worst billionaires in the country and put them in the NFL."As Wallach noted, if the league were serious about the latest allegations against Snyder, it would have had Wilkinson - whose prior investigation presumably armed her with all sorts of institutional knowledge - run the inquiry instead of White. The fear of setting a precedent explains why the other owners are reluctant to kick Snyder out of their little club. After him, who might be next?That said, the never-ending litany of sleaze surrounding Snyder could ultimately sink him, just as unrelenting pressure toward the team's former nickname eventually forced a change."I can't imagine that the pressure on Dan Snyder will ever abate; his reputation is un-rehabilitatable," Wallach said."No one else in my lifetime in professional sports has been ensnared in as much drama, allegations, and lawsuits as Dan Snyder. I think it's just a matter of timing, not a matter of whether it happens."Dom Cosentino is a senior features writer at theScore.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New England Patriots tight end Jonnu Smith sang the praises of Mac Jones' leadership ability Monday."Mac is definitely one of the most goofiest guys in the locker room, to be honest, man. But when he steps on that field, he's a different character," Smith said on "Good Morning Football," according to Kevin Patra of NFL.com. "He's just got so much ability and so much dog in him."Once he flips that switch, he's a whole different character. Some guys don't know how to cut that on and cut that off when it's time to do it. He's so young. He's poised. He's got a little swagger to him, man. I'm glad he's throwing us passes. That's my guy."Jones has garnered recognition from various teammates as he enters Year 2 of his NFL career. Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne said earlier this month that the quarterback's leadership was at "another level now."The 2021 first-rounder led the Patriots to the postseason and earned a Pro Bowl berth after compiling a 10-7 record during his rookie season. He also threw 22 touchdowns to 13 interceptions.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Quarterback Josh Allen hasn't moved on from the Buffalo Bills' dramatic playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.During an appearance on the "Bussin with the Boys" podcast, Allen said that losing the overtime coin toss affected him more than losing the divisional-round game, according to Pro Football Talk's Michael David Smith.The 26-year-old signal-caller and Patrick Mahomes went back and forth throughout the contest to send the game to overtime tied at 36. However, Allen didn't call the coin toss correctly and had to watch from the sideline as Mahomes drove down for a walk-off touchdown.Allen blamed a production meeting prior to the matchup for jinxing his winning ways in the coin toss."Up to that point, I think I was 9-0 throughout the season. In our production meeting, it was jinxed, and I was 0-for-2 in that game," Allen said. "They brought up that stat, you're 9-0 ... I go 0-2 on coin tosses that game."He added: "I switched it up, I went heads first, and then I went tails at the end, and it was obviously flip-flopped."Allen threw for 329 yards with four touchdowns in the contest. The 42-36 shootout will forever be remembered as a postseason classic, but Allen isn't taking much satisfaction in its meaning."People still come up to me and talk about it. That's the game people talk about," Allen said. "To be a part of it is great, but to be on the losing end of it is not so great. It doesn't make me feel any better when someone comes up and says, 'That was the greatest game I've ever seen.' It's like, we lost."The NFL later updated its postseason overtime rules by guaranteeing both teams at least one possession in response to the Chiefs-Bills matchup.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson's hearing before the NFL and players' association's jointly appointed disciplinary officer is scheduled to begin Tuesday, reports ESPN's Adam Schefter.The NFL is pushing for an indefinite suspension that would last no shorter than one year, according to Andrew Beaton of The Wall Street Journal. Watson would need to apply to be reinstated after the 2022 season, at the earliest.On Tuesday, Watson reached settlements with 20 of the 24 women who sued him and accused him of sexual misconduct or sexual assault during massage sessions.The NFL is likely to base its proposed discipline on a fraction of those women's testimony, a source told Schefter. The league reportedly wasn't able to speak to some of the women who made allegations against the 26-year-old.While disciplinary officer Sue L. Robinson's decision apparently could be made within a week, it might take until the beginning of training camp in late July.Both the league and NFLPA have the option to appeal the officer's ruling under revised rules for the NFL's personal conduct policy in the new collective bargaining agreement. Either commissioner Roger Goodell or an independent ruler would then make a final verdict.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After three disappointing seasons from Giants quarterback Daniel Jones, Eli Manning believes New York's new coaching staff will help his successor reach his potential in a make-or-break year."I think with coach (Brian) Daboll, and what they're doing, and that staff, and (general manager) Joe Schoen, having been around the facility some, the atmosphere has changed," Manning told NFL Network's Rhett Lewis. "So, I'm excited for Daniel, I know he's worked extremely hard and, you know, been through a lot of offenses, a lot of coaching changes. So, hopefully this can be the right one."The Giants declined Jones' fifth-year option worth $22.39 million this offseason, setting him up for a contract year this upcoming campaign.Jones produced a solid rookie year, throwing for 3,027 yards and 24 touchdowns against 12 interceptions. But the signal-caller has produced only 21 touchdowns over the last two seasons while struggling with turnovers (17 interceptions, six fumbles).New York has failed to provide a stable environment for the 25-year-old. Daboll will be the NFC East club's third head coach in five seasons following two-year stints from Pat Shurmur and Joe Judge.Manning emphasized the importance of the consistency he enjoyed during his early years in the NFL."By my fifth year, I had been in the same offense the whole time. I knew it, I could coach it up, new guys are coming in, I was speaking the same language as my offensive coordinator and as (former head coach Tom) Coughlin, and kind of preaching the same stuff," Manning said. "And with (Jones), it's all new, and it's learning. He's consistently trying to learn and learn and learn, and it just takes some time before it all sinks in."Daboll earned the Giants job in large part to his work with Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, whom he helped develop from a raw prospect into an MVP-caliber player as the club's offensive coordinator.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos enter the 2022 season with high expectations after bringing in new starting quarterbacks this offseason. Denver acquired Russell Wilson from the Seattle Seahawks in a blockbuster move, while Indy added Matt Ryan in a trade with the Atlanta Falcons.Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning, who made history with both the Colts and Broncos, thinks his former teams landed the right quarterbacks."Russell and Matt, they have high expectations for themselves," Manning said at the "Manning Passing Academy" on Friday, according to NFL.com's Michael Baca. "They want to work together with the team, get on the same page, and want to help the team win and do their part. So I think both of them will handle that well."Manning talked to both quarterbacks before the trades were completed."For Matt, in particular, he kind of mentioned that Atlanta was looking for possibly a trade, and he was asking about Indy," Manning said. "I just kind of really liked that match. I thought it would be great for Matt in this second chapter for him, and I thought it would be really good for the Colts, who I think are really close and have a lot of pieces and just could really use a veteran leader. He and (Colts head coach) Frank Reich have really hit it off."Ryan played 14 seasons in Atlanta. The 2016 NFL MVP became the franchise's all-time passing leader with 59,735 yards and 367 touchdowns, though he was limited to 3,968 yards and 20 TD passes last season. The 37-year-old will now replace Carson Wentz, whom the Colts traded to the Washington Commanders after missing the playoffs in 2021.Meanwhile, Wilson joins a Broncos team that hasn't reached the postseason since 2015 - Manning's last year in Denver. The 33-year-old Wilson earned nine Pro Bowl berths and helped the Seahawks win one Super Bowl title across 10 seasons in Seattle."It's a new chapter for him," Manning said of Wilson. "Broncos fans and players are hungry. We've been in a little bit of a drought the past few years, and it's time to get the Broncos back to where they're supposed to be."Manning spent his first 14 NFL seasons with the Colts, winning four MVP awards and lifting the Lombardi Trophy once. He then signed with the Broncos, with whom he earned another MVP honor and won a Super Bowl title.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Joe Burrow was a star quarterback in high school, but he didn't always see himself becoming a professional football player.Appearing on "Unbuttoned with Chris Simms" recently, Burrow said he favored basketball over football growing up and named Los Angeles Lakers star and fellow Ohio native LeBron James as one of his idols."Thought I was gonna be a basketball guy, so obviously LeBron James, coming from Ohio," the Cincinnati Bengals signal-caller said. "Played his high school (St. Vincent-St. Mary) when I was in high school in basketball twice. ... We lost both times, but I put up some good numbers."I liked football. I liked college football, but I was more of a basketball guy."Burrow was a standout point guard at Athens High School in The Plains, Ohio, earning first-team All-State honors during his senior year. He finished his high school career with 1,426 points, the second-highest total in program history.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.