If your head is spinning from the NFL news cycle, you're not alone. The dust has settled and we have more insight into the 2022 season, but are we really dying to get down on a win total priced at -110 that won't be paid out until January 2023?We're still waiting to see where impact players will be drafted and what the schedule will look like, but that hasn't stopped oddsmakers from posting season win totals for almost every team.NFL season win totalsTEAMWIN TOTALOVER PRICEBills11.5-150Buccaneers11.5+108Packers11-114Chiefs10.5-167Cowboys10.5-104Rams10.5+10149ers10-134Chargers10-114Broncos10-114Bengals10+111Cardinals9.5-162Ravens9.5-143Colts9.5-125Titans9.5-114Vikings9-114Dolphins9+104Patriots9+116Eagles8.5-134Raiders8.5-114Saints8+116Steelers7.5-121Commanders7.5+104Giants7-134Bears7-104Jaguars6.5-114Seahawks6-130Panthers6-114Lions6-104Falcons5.5+101Jets5.5+111Texans4.5-114(The Browns aren't listed due to the uncertainty around a potential suspension for Deshaun Watson.)How to create initial ratings from win totalsIn the AFC edition, we translated these win totals into point spreads and moneylines between the Bills at the top, the midlevel Raiders, and the cellar-dwelling Texans.Now we'll take the numbers in the chart above and turn them into a rating-system starter kit with projected win percentages for the NFC teams.TEAMWIN TOTALPROJ. WIN%Buccaneers11.5.664Packers11.653Cowboys10.5.617Rams10.5.61149ers10.603Cardinals9.5.588Vikings9.535Eagles8.5.517Saints8.482Commanders7.5.436Giants7.434Bears7.411Seahawks6.370Panthers6.355Lions6.353Falcons5.5.323As we know from the AFC edition, a projected win percentage of 60.3% indicates how likely the 49ers are to beat an average team, but what about an opponent above that 50% mark? That's where things get trickier. Let's project a San Francisco matchup with the division-rival Cardinals.There's a 1.5% difference between the two teams, meaning that the 49ers have a 50.75% win probability to the Cardinals' 49.25%.Here's the formula to determine the 49ers' 50.75% win probability:

A raucous free-agency period in the NFL has clarified the landscape of the 2022 season, with a number of major moves drastically altering the futures markets in the AFC.We're still waiting to see where impact players will be drafted and what the schedule will look like, but that hasn't stopped oddsmakers from posting season win totals for almost every team.NFL season win totalsTEAMWIN TOTAL OVER PRICEBills11.5-150Buccaneers11.5+108Packers11-114Chiefs10.5-167Cowboys10.5-104Rams10.5+10149ers10-134Chargers10-114Broncos10-114Bengals10+111Cardinals9.5-162Ravens9.5-143Colts9.5-125Titans9.5-114Vikings9-114Dolphins9+104Patriots9+116Eagles8.5-134Raiders8.5-114Saints8+116Steelers7.5-121Commanders7.5+104Giants7-134Bears7-104Jaguars6.5-114Seahawks6-130Panthers6-114Lions6-104Falcons5.5+101Jets5.5+111Texans4.5-114(The Browns aren't listed due to the uncertainty around a potential suspension for Deshaun Watson.)It's asking a lot of bettors to get down on a proposition priced at -110 in April 2022 that won't be paid out until January 2023. Still, there's a lot we can take away from these markets.What win totals can meanWhile I'm not looking to take on the risk of all the variables that can change the valuation of a win-total bet, I am interested in seeing what the market thinks. It's never too early to get a rudimentary starting point for team ratings.Win probability changes depending on the situation when two equally matched teams play. The Dolphins playing a September game in New England (as they did last year) presents different challenges than if they're on the road in late December. What if Miami's home game is actually a neutral-site game in London, England?These win totals are based on a rough estimate of rosters, knowledge of opponents, and little else. In a way, it's the purest look at how oddsmakers view these teams. Big bettors haven't weighed in yet, since they'll wait for more information and limits to rise over the coming months.How to create initial ratings from win totalsThe first step is to figure out a team's median win total using this market. For example, the Buffalo Bills sit atop the oddsboard. A -150 price on over 11.5 wins suggests there's a 60% chance Josh Allen and Co. win more than 11 games, meaning 12 wins is closer to a 50/50 proposition.In a 17-game season, 12 wins equate to a win percentage of 70.5%. For now, we have to assume the Bills' schedule is average in difficulty. Therefore, their win total suggests the Bills have a 70.5% chance of beating a league-average team on a neutral field.We want to extrapolate that into odds for a single game against a league-average team - which, in a 17-game season, would be one lined at 8.5 wins (-110/-110). The Las Vegas Raiders are the closest thing on the oddsboard. Converting 70.5% to a moneyline makes the fair price for Buffalo -240. If these teams met on a neutral field, the odds might look like this:GAMEMONEYLINESPREADBills-260-6.5Raiders+220+6.5Moving all the way down the board, the Houston Texans have a slightly better than 50/50 chance to exceed 4.5 wins. That means they have a 26.5% chance of defeating the league-average Raiders on a neutral field. Plugging that win probability into a moneyline calculator would crank out a fair price of Texans +277.Here's how the odds for that game might look after a sportsbook accounts for the straddle:GAMEMONEYLINESPREADRaiders-310-7.5Texans+260+7.5The new-look Raiders, coached by Josh McDaniels with Derek Carr throwing to Davante Adams, might be better than average. However, their win total is depressed by one of the few static variables: six tough matchups in the AFC West.You can do this exercise with any team (except Cleveland) by finding a 50/50 win total for each team and dividing it by the number of games played (17). That's how likely that team is to beat an average opponent. We'll look at the NFC to figure out how to match up a decent team against a slightly below-average squad.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.

Bruce Arians shocked the NFL world by stepping down as head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and some speculated that a strained relationship with Tom Brady was a reason why he was transitioning to the team's front office.But Arians strongly denied any issues with Brady in Thursday's press conference introducing Todd Bowles as his successor, which the quarterback also attended."We have a great relationship. All the players, every one of them, has gotten cussed out, including (Brady)," said Arians, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. "That's just part of me. ... People gotta write shit. It couldn't be further from the truth."Arians said Brady unretiring sparked his decision to step aside for Bowles."It's no better time to pass the torch than now," he said, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.Brady praised Arians in an Instagram post on Wednesday, saying he was "forever grateful" to the coach, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.The 69-year-old has been lauded for being a champion of diversity and inclusion within NFL coaching ranks. Bowles is now the fourth Black head coach in Buccaneers' history, more than any other franchise, according to Schefter.Arians said it was an easy decision to pass on the chance for a second Super Bowl in three years in favor of handing Bowles the opportunity to succeed immediately."I don't give a shit about the Hall of Fame. Succession is way more important to me," said Arians, according to Andrew Siciliano of NFL Network.The Buccaneers announced that Arians will be inducted into the team's Ring of Honor this season.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With the NFL Scouting Combine and free-agency period wrapped up, the draft can really take shape, as all 32 rosters have clear needs.That clarity changes the top of the draft, as the Jaguars are now set to grab a defensive prospect after addressing their offensive line in free agency.Here's the full first-round projections in our third mock draft of the year.1. Jacksonville Jaguars - Aidan Hutchinson, Edge, MichiganThe Jaguars would probably love to trade down, but that's easier said than done without any can't-miss quarterbacks on the board enticing other teams to move up. After Jacksonville surprisingly used the franchise tag on Cam Robinson for a second straight year, Hutchinson is now the clear favorite for this top spot.2. Detroit Lions - Travon Walker, Edge, Georgia Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyThe draft's biggest riser comes in at No. 2 with the Lions grabbing the athletic Walker out of Georgia. While his college production of six sacks in his final season might not blow people away, much of that can be attributed to the overall depth of the Bulldogs' incredible defense. The 6-foot-5, 275-pounder would instantly bring much-needed pop to the Lions' defensive front.3. Houston Texans - Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC StateThe Texans need help everywhere. Edge would also make sense, especially with Kayvon Thibodeaux still available, but building the offensive line is never a bad idea. Ekwonu joins Laremy Tunsil to give Houston a strong tandem at offensive tackle.4. New York Jets - Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre DameDon't be deterred by Hamilton's underwhelming 40-yard dash times - the Notre Dame star pops off the screen when watching his tape. Hamilton's versatility at the safety position adds a big-time playmaker to the NFL's worst defense last season.5. New York Giants - Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, OregonThe top five falls perfectly for the Giants in this scenario, as you can bet they'd love to come away with one of this year's top pass-rushers. Thibodeaux pairs with 2021 second-rounder Azeez Ojulari to form an impressive young duo on the edge.6. Carolina Panthers - Evan Neal, OT, Alabama Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyThrough no fault of his own, Neal has fallen from the top spot in our previous mock draft. After the Jaguars used the franchise tag on Cam Robinson, it became clear they would go with defense at No. 1. That has Neal slipping to No. 6, which will massively benefit the Panthers. Neal's incredible athleticism at 6-foot-7 and 350 lbs should shore up the offensive line and help one of the league's worst offensive units take a big step.7. Giants (via CHI) - Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi StateCross takes care of a glaring need at right tackle, giving the Giants another talented young lineman for Brian Daboll to build the offense around. Coming away from the first round with top talents at edge rusher and offensive tackle would be a home run for New York.8. Atlanta Falcons - Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio StateOutside of the electric Kyle Pitts, the pass-catching cupboard is largely bare in Atlanta. That's addressed early on Day 1 via the selection of Wilson out of Ohio State. He's not the fastest receiver in the draft, but a sub-4.40 time in the 40-yard dash is plenty quick enough. He's arguably the most polished route-runner in this year's class and should instantly boost the anemic Falcons passing attack no matter who's at quarterback.9. Seattle Seahawks (via DEN) - Malik Willis, QB, LibertyNobody really knows where the first quarterback will be drafted, and given the uncertainty around this year's passers, it could very well be later than people expect. But if there's one obvious spot, it has to be Seattle. A team that's gotten used to life as a perennial playoff contender isn't really going to come out of the Russell Wilson era starting Drew Lock ... right? Willis has the most upside of any quarterback in this class.10. Jets (via SEA) - Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyAfter grabbing Hamilton at No. 4, the Jets make another effort to address the league's worst defense by selecting the Cincinnati star. The 6-foot-3, 200-pounder possesses elite size at the cornerback spot and has the speed burst to recover in the rare instances when a receiver can get separation. His blend of size and ability is exactly what Robert Saleh needs to fix the back end of the Jets' defense.11. Washington Commanders - Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSULet's go ahead and assume that, rightly or wrongly, the Carson Wentz trade rules out a quarterback for the Commanders. Cornerback may not be their most pressing need, but a potential top-five talent like Stingley falling this far may be too appealing to pass up.12. Minnesota Vikings - Trent McDuffie, CB, WashingtonMinnesota makes it three straight corners with McDuffie out of Washington. While he isn't the biggest cornerback, the standout junior flashed 4.44 speed in the 40-yard dash at the combine and has tremendous lateral quickness. McDuffie also offers great production as a run-stopper and blitzer from the corner position.13. Texans (via CLE) - Jermaine Johnson II, Edge, Florida StateWith their second first-round pick in this draft, and the first of three acquired from Cleveland in the Deshaun Watson trade, the Texans continue to create a foundation in the trenches. Johnson brings major pass-rush talent to a rebuilding Houston defense.14. Baltimore Ravens - George Karlaftis, Edge, Purdue Justin Casterline / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe Ravens going for an offensive tackle at No. 14 seemed like a certainty, but their signing of Morgan Moses makes defense the likely pick here. Karlaftis is one of the more powerful edge rushers in the draft and his versatility should play well in the Ravens' defense.15. Philadelphia Eagles (via MIA) - Drake London, WR, USCWide receiver remains an area of focus for Philly after recent draft misses, so it's fair to assume the Eagles will use one of their three first-round picks on the position. London's size and contested-catch prowess could make him an outstanding complement to DeVonta Smith.16. Eagles (via IND) - Devin Lloyd, LB, UtahLloyd's talent could lead him to emerge as one of the best players in this draft. The 6-foot-3, 237-pounder is one of the best cover linebackers in this class, frequently demonstrating his ball skills and ability to shut down tight ends across the field.17. Los Angeles Chargers - Trevor Penning, OT, Northern IowaThe Chargers made some excellent moves in free agency to shore up their interior defensive line, allowing them to zero in on their most obvious need on the other side of the ball. Penning's impressive blend of athleticism and physicality gives L.A. another foundational player on the offensive line opposite 2021 first-round left tackle Rashawn Slater.18. New Orleans Saints - Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyOlave gives the Saints the vertical deep threat they need as the post-Sean Payton era begins. While the Ohio State star needs to increase his upper-body strength, his polished route-running and excellent speed make this a strong pick for the Saints.19. Eagles - Jordan Davis, DL, GeorgiaDavis isn't just a run-stuffing defensive tackle - he might be one of the best interior run-defending prospects we've ever seen. That alone warrants the Eagles spending this pick to solidify the future of the defensive front - and his freak athleticism means there's a chance he'll bring something to the table as a pass-rusher, too.20. Pittsburgh Steelers - Kenny Pickett, QB, PittNot only does Pickett stay in Pittsburgh, but the former Panthers star remains in Heinz Field, the same stadium where Pitt plays collegiate home games. Much has been made of Pickett's hand size, but the senior standout has proved he's more than capable of throwing the ball in poor conditions. Pickett could immediately challenge Mitch Trubisky for the starting role with the Steelers.21. New England Patriots - Jameson Williams, WR, AlabamaPutting Mac Jones in a position to succeed means surrounding him with more explosive playmakers. Patience is required, as Williams is recovering from an ACL tear suffered in the national championship, but he's the kind of dynamic receiver who can help take the Patriots' offense to the next level.22. Green Bay Packers (via LV) - Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas Wesley Hitt / Getty Images Sport / GettyWith Davante Adams now in Las Vegas, the Packers need to fill the receiver room with weapons for Aaron Rodgers. At 6-foot-2, 225 lbs, Burks provides a big target with an exceptional ability to turn short gains into huge plays. The Arkansas star isn't a finished product, but Matt LaFleur's offensive plan should help him with a variety of bubble screens and short passes.23. Arizona Cardinals - Devonte Wyatt, DL, GeorgiaWith most of the top receivers off the board, the Cardinals turn their attention to a defensive front that needs an overhaul. Wyatt may not be getting as much attention as some other standouts from that Georgia front seven, but he's got just as much star potential.24. Dallas Cowboys - Tyler Linderbaum, C, IowaWith La'el Collins and Connor Williams gone, the Cowboys need depth on the offensive line to keep Dak Prescott in a clean pocket. Though they already have Tyler Biadasz at center, Linderbaum is too good a prospect to pass up. Pro Football Focus rated his 2021 as the best run-blocking single-season performance by a Power 5 offensive lineman since 2016.25. Buffalo Bills - Andrew Booth Jr., CB, ClemsonThe Bills' well-built roster really doesn't have many needs, especially after adding Rodger Saffold to upgrade the offensive line. They could use another corner after losing Levi Wallace, though, and Booth has the makings of a long-term starter on the outside.26. Tennessee Titans - Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia Todd Kirkland / Getty Images Sport / GettyIt's hard to watch Dean's tape at Georgia and see anything but a future All-Pro linebacker. The Bulldogs star absolutely flies around the field and totally ruins even the most developed offensive game plans. While he is a bit undersized at the NFL level, his incredible ability to read plays more than makes up for it.27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Zion Johnson, OL, Boston CollegeJust when it seemed like the Bucs were losing not only Tom Brady, but also all three of their starters on the interior offensive line, Brady returns, Ryan Jensen re-signs, and Shaq Mason comes over in a trade from New England. Add in Johnson to replace the retired Ali Marpet and this group likely won't miss a beat.28. Green Bay Packers - Bernhard Raimann, OT, Central MichiganRaimann hails from Austria and has only played tackle for two seasons, but he's already developed into a pro prospect. He's one of the more powerful offensive linemen in the draft and should continue to progress with more experience. Although he may not be a very high-profile pick for Packers fans, he could end up being a very important piece in terms of protecting Aaron Rodgers.29. Kansas City Chiefs (via MIA, SF) - Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn StateOne of the fastest receivers in the draft lands in Kansas City by way of the first-round pick acquired from the Dolphins in the Tyreek Hill trade. Dotson can't be expected to completely replace Hill, but his vertical ability makes him a strong fit for an offense that's always looking to push the ball downfield.30. Chiefs - David Ojabo, Edge, Michigan Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyIt's unlikely Ojabo plays in 2022 after tearing his Achilles at Michigan's pro day, but the talented edge rusher represents great value with the 30th pick. An incredibly raw prospect who flashes unique athleticism, Ojabo will need to improve his skill set to be elite at the NFL level. A year on the sidelines with the Chiefs should give him the opportunity to do that.31. Cincinnati Bengals - Arnold Ebiketie, Edge, Penn StateThe Bengals knew exactly what needed to be done after a playoff run in which Joe Burrow was constantly under pressure. Following three important free-agent signings, the offensive line appears to be in good shape. That aggressive approach allows Cincinnati to avoid forcing this pick and lets the Bengals instead upgrade the pass rush with Ebiketie.32. Lions (via LAR) - Desmond Ridder, QB, CincinnatiThe Lions grab a potential quarterback of the future with Ridder out of Cincinnati. The star passer was a major factor in the Bearcats becoming the first Group of 5 team to ever make the College Football Playoff. Jared Goff would still be Detroit's starter in 2022, but with Ridder turning 23 before the season begins, expect to see him on the field sooner rather than later.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians is retiring and defensive coordinator Todd Bowles will succeed him, the team announced Wednesday.Arians will move to the front office, where he'll be a senior football consultant. Meanwhile, Bowles will sign a new five-year contract, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter."With the organization in probably the best shape it's been in its history, with Tom Brady coming back … I'd rather see Todd in position to be successful and not have to take some (crappy) job," Arians told Peter King of NBC Sports. "I'm probably retiring next year anyway, in February. So, I control the narrative right now. I don't control it next February because (if) Brady gets hurt, we go 10-7, and it's an open interview for the job … I got 31 (coaches and their) families that depend on me. My wife is big on not letting all those families down."Arians coached the Buccaneers from 2019-21 and led the team to a championship in Super Bowl LV. The 69-year-old previously said he'd return for a fourth campaign.Arians retired once before, though his absence lasted only one season. He coached the Arizona Cardinals from 2013-17, leading the club to a pair of playoff berths and one appearance in the NFC Championship Game. He left the Cardinals as the winningest coach in franchise history.The 69-year-old steps away three weeks after Brady announced his return from retirement, and amid rumors their relationship had soured. Brady was informed within one day of announcing his return that Arians was stepping down and Bowles was going to replace him, reports Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. However, the Buccaneers said Arians' decision wasn't related to Brady's comeback.Publicly, Brady and Arians both said they were on good terms. Brady paid homage to Arians following the coach's announcement, touting him as a "legend."

Eight-time Pro Bowl cornerback Patrick Peterson announced Wednesday he's returning to the Minnesota Vikings in 2022 on a one-year deal.Peterson's new contract will contain $4 million in base value with $3.5 million guaranteed, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network."It's a great group of guys. I just felt like it was right to be there and grind with those guys. The team is stacked. We just couldn't put it all together in certain situations (last year). I think we got better this offseason," Peterson said, according to Sports Illustrated's Will Ragatz."It's going to be fun to get back into the building and see all of this manifest," he added.The 31-year-old joined Minnesota last year after spending a decade with the Arizona Cardinals. Although Peterson's prime is behind him, he started 13 games with the Vikings last year, racking up 45 tackles, five pass breakups, and one interception.The LSU product, who the Cardinals drafted fifth overall in 2011, earned Pro Bowl nods in each of his first eight NFL seasons to go along with three All-Pro berths.Peterson also met with the Buffalo Bills, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Indianapolis Colts, Chicago Bears, and Washington Commanders this offseason, according to Purple Insider's Sam Ekstrom.Peterson's return to Minnesota provides depth for a secondary that has been looking for star playmakers. The Vikings, who recently added cornerback Chandon Sullivan on a one-year deal, are also expected to address their need in this year's NFL draft."I think they're definitely going to draft a corner," Peterson said.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Carolina Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer isn't sold on the 2022 quarterback draft class but acknowledged Wednesday he could take one early regardless."This will be interesting because the tackles will be the best players on the board," he told Darin Gantt of Panthers.com. "But we do need a quarterback, and at some point you have to take a shot, especially in the top 10. You hate to force it, because when you force it, you could make a mistake."The Panthers have spent two years shuffling through quarterbacks, looking for one who'll push the franchise into contention long term. Carolina owns the sixth overall pick in a draft that has been described as weak at the quarterback position.Pitt's Kenny Pickett, Liberty's Malik Willis, Ole Miss' Matt Corral, North Carolina's Sam Howell, and Cincinnati's Desmond Ridder are all first-round candidates."It's a unique quarterback class, because there's not a clear No. 1, No. 2, No. 3," Fitterer added. "Like, who's the proven starter who can come in and play for you? That'll be the conversation we have for the next month - quarterback or left tackle. And we could always go pass-rusher because Brian Burns is coming up. I mean, we'll do the (2023) option, but if that money gets out of hand, it's better to have somebody ready to go in the hopper."Sam Darnold is in line to open the 2022 season behind center. The Panthers traded three draft picks for Darnold last year, but the former New York Jets prodigy continued to struggle in Carolina.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie made clear that his franchise is committed to Jalen Hurts as its starting passer."We have a young, 23-year-old playoff quarterback who gets better every year in college and in the pros," Lurie said at the NFL's annual league meetings this week, according to The Athletic's Zach Berman.He added: "No one knows where that's going to end up, but I think what you do know is you have a guy that is (an) incredibly dedicated, excellent leader of men."Players around him gravitate to him. He will do everything and anything to get better and work on every weakness he has to try to maximize every strength he has. And that's why we're committed to Jalen at age 23."General manager Howie Roseman also backed Hurts as the team's starting signal-caller."I don't know that we've ever wavered from the level of commitment that we've had in Jalen," Roseman said Monday, according to Zach Berman and Bo Wulf of The Athletic. "I think when we say he's our guy and he's our starter and we've gotta do whatever we can to help him and give him a chance to reach his potential, I don't think that's changed one bit."Philadelphia selected Hurts in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He spent most of his rookie year behind Carson Wentz before starting the final four regular-season contests.After Philadelphia traded Wentz to the Indianapolis Colts, Hurts led the 9-8 Eagles to the playoffs before falling to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the wild-card round. He passed for 3,144 yards, 16 touchdowns, and nine interceptions in 2021. Hurts also led the team with 784 rushing yards and 10 scores on the ground.Philadelphia bolstered Hurts' supporting cast this offseason by re-signing Jason Kelce and Greg Ward, as well as adding Zach Pascal in free agency. The Eagles also own three first-round selections in next month's draft.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay said Tuesday it was "very obvious" the team had to get rid of quarterback Carson Wentz after just one season."I think the worst thing you can do is have a mistake and try to keep living with it going forward," Irsay said, according to Joel A. Erickson of the Indianapolis Star. "For us, it was something we had to move away from as a franchise."The Colts traded first- and third-round picks for Wentz last offseason after he fell out with the Philadelphia Eagles. Indianapolis shipped the former No. 2 pick to the Washington Commanders on March 16 and took a net loss on the compensation.While Wentz posted solid numbers for the Colts, the club reportedly grew frustrated with his lack of leadership and reckless playing style. The 29-year-old drew similar criticisms in Philadelphia."In having conversations with trusted veterans on the team … in confidence, oftentimes they share really what's happening," Irsay said. "What I found out was very concerning."Indianapolis acquired Matt Ryan from the Atlanta Falcons to fill its quarterback void after moving Wentz. The Colts missed the playoffs last year after making it in 2020 with Philip Rivers as their quarterback.Wentz downplayed reports that he's been difficult to work with in the past."I strongly feel I had amazing relationships with people in Philly and in Indy," he said at his introductory press conference with Washington.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said Tuesday the league is still investigating the allegations against Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson."We're looking at this seriously," Goodell said, according to Stephen Holder of The Athletic. "Our investigators will hopefully have access to more information and that will help. ... (An) independent party will make a final decision on findings."There's no time frame on (a decision for a potential suspension)," he added, per Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports.A second grand jury recently declined to indict Watson following a police investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct during massage sessions. The 26-year-old still faces 22 lawsuits from women who say he committed sexual assault and sexual misconduct.The Browns acquired Watson from the Houston Texans on March 18 in exchange for a package that includes three first-round draft picks. Cleveland then signed him to a fully guaranteed five-year, $230-million contract."We've been very clear with every club, whether the criminal matter gets resolved or not, that the personal conduct policy is very important to us," Goodell said, according to Albert Breer of The MMQB. "They understand that's something we're going to pursue."Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam said they concluded a deep investigation into Watson's situation before making the deal.Watson didn't appear in any games last year even though the NFL ruled him eligible to play. The three-time Pro Bowler, who in 2020 threw a career-high 33 touchdowns and led the NFL with 4,823 yards, requested a trade from the Texans in January 2021 amid a fractured relationship with upper management.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New Orleans Saints signed veteran quarterback Andy Dalton, the team announced Tuesday.They agreed on a one-year deal worth up to $6 million that includes $3 million guaranteed, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Dalton spent the 2021 season with the Chicago Bears. He began the campaign as the starter before suffering a knee injury in Week 2, making room for Justin Fields to take over. Dalton eventually started four more games during the season, with Fields sidelined.The 34-year-old Dalton finished last year with a 63.1% completion rate while passing for 1,515 yards and eight touchdowns against nine interceptions.The three-time Pro Bowler, who enjoyed his first nine NFL seasons on the Cincinnati Bengals, also had a one-year stint with the Dallas Cowboys in 2020.Dalton is expected to back up Jameis Winston in New Orleans. Winston, who started seven games for the Saints last season before tearing his ACL, returned to the team this offseason on a two-year contract.New Orleans' depth chart also features Taysom Hill, who started five games under center in 2021. However, head coach Dennis Allen said Tuesday that Hill will mainly focus on playing tight end in 2022, according to Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk.The Saints had to start four different quarterbacks last season.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson still isn't ready to sign a contract extension despite the club's interest, club owner Steve Bisciotti told reporters Tuesday."Unless he has a change of heart and calls (general manager) Eric (DeCosta) and says, 'I'm ready,' … Eric can't keep calling him and say, 'Hey, Lamar, you really need to get in here and get this thing done,'" Bisciotti said at the NFL owners' meetings, according to The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec.Baltimore began showing interest in extending Jackson's contract after the 2020 season. The 25-year-old doesn't have an agent, meaning the team needs to negotiate with him directly.Jackson is scheduled to hit free agency after 2022, though Baltimore would likely use the franchise tag to keep him off the market.The former MVP said in May 2021 that he wanted to stay with the Ravens "forever.""I love Baltimore," Jackson said at the time. "I love the whole organization. I love everybody in the building. Hopefully, we'll be making something happen pretty soon."The Ravens drafted Jackson 32nd overall in 2018. He's gone to the playoffs three times in four seasons and has gradually improved as a passer after initially relying on his rushing ability."We appreciate (Jackson)," said Bisciotti. "All I know is that his teammates love him, and the front office loves him."Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Baltimore Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti announced Tuesday that head coach John Harbaugh signed a three-year extension, according to ESPN's Jamison Hensley.Harbaugh was entering the final year of his deal. The extension will keep him under contract through 2025.The 59-year-old, whom the Ravens hired in 2008, is now the third-longest tenured coach in the NFL.Baltimore has enjoyed an abundance of success with Harbaugh on the sideline. The Ravens are 137-88 with nine postseason berths and a Super Bowl championship in his 14 seasons in charge.However, the Ravens are coming off their first losing season under Harbaugh since 2015. The club limped to an 8-9 record in 2021 as it dealt with numerous injuries throughout the campaign.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New England Patriots are signing former New York Giants safety Jabrill Peppers to a one-year deal, reports ESPN's Adam Schefter and Mike Reiss.Peppers suffered a torn ACL last October, but he's expected to be ready for the start of training camp, Schefter notes.He'll earn up to $5 million in 2022, a source told Field Yates of ESPN.The 26-year-old, who played the last three seasons for the Giants, racked up only 29 tackles and one sack through six appearances last season. He previously set career highs with 91 tackles, 11 pass breakups, and 2.5 sacks across 15 games in 2020.The Cleveland Browns selected Peppers 25th overall in 2017, and he spent two campaigns in Cleveland before joining New York as part of the trade that sent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. to the Browns in 2019.Peppers entered the NFL as one of the most versatile defenders of his class after an impressive collegiate career at Michigan.

NFL owners have approved a change to the overtime rule, now guaranteeing both teams have a possession in playoff games, the league announced Tuesday.Overtime rules in the regular season will remain the same, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.The modified rule jointly proposed by the Indianapolis Colts and Philadelphia Eagles comes in the wake of the high-profile overtime contest between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills in the playoffs.Kansas City and Buffalo engaged in one of the highest-scoring conclusions to a postseason game in NFL history.Bills quarterback Josh Allen and Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes led their teams to a combined 25 points in the final two minutes of regulation before Kansas City sealed it in overtime with a touchdown pass from Mahomes to tight end Travis Kelce.Buffalo's high-flying offense didn't get the football in overtime after Kansas City won the coin toss.The ending once again shined a light on the NFL's controversial overtime rules, which some argue give too big of an advantage to the team that earns the first possession.Seven of 12 playoff overtime games played under the current format, implemented in 2010, have been won on the opening possession, and 10 of those 12 were won by the team that won the coin toss, according to ESPN.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Justin Fields produced a forgettable rookie season, but new Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus anticipates a major improvement from the sophomore quarterback in 2022."The development of him for the second year should be a big jump," Eberflus said Tuesday, according to Courtney Cronin of ESPN. "It should be. That's what we're looking for. We're looking for better technique, better fundamentals, better decision-making, better timing, everything. He's all on board on that."He's excited about where he is and he's been working his tail off. That's what we want, just that big jump from Year 1 to Year 2."The Bears traded up to No. 11 overall in last year's draft to land Fields, signaling the start of a new era.However, the young quarterback failed to provide an immediate spark, winning just two of his 10 starts while throwing seven touchdowns against 10 interceptions. He added 420 yards and two scores on the ground.The two men who brought Fields to Chicago are gone, with head coach Matt Nagy and general manager Ryan Pace replaced by Eberflus and Ryan Poles, respectively, after the Bears missed the playoffs for the second time in the last three years.Not only will Fields be working with a new coaching staff and front office, but he won't have star receiver Allen Robinson, who joined the Los Angeles Rams in free agency.While the Bears added wideouts Byron Pringle and Equanimeous St. Brown on one-year deals, neither has ever eclipsed 600 yards in a season.Chicago could look to bolster Fields' supporting cast in the draft, but the NFC North club has just six total draft picks after trading its first-round selection in the move up for Fields last year.The Bears did gain an extra second-rounder by trading pass-rusher Khalil Mack to the Los Angeles Chargers.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Carolina Panthers aren't closing the door on a Cam Newton return as the team aims to add to its quarterback room."I love Cam Newton," head coach Matt Rhule said Tuesday, according to ESPN's David Newton. "He's an amazing leader. He's an amazing football player. Everything we do has to be right for the organization, right for him."Rhule has kept in touch with the veteran passer in recent months, Newton adds. General manager Scott Fitterer also said last week that the signal-caller returning remains on the table, though it would have to be on the right terms.The Panthers may not be the only team eyeing Newton. The 32-year-old said Tuesday that other teams are circling him."I have teams that are interested in signing me," Newton said in a text to ESPN's Adam Schefter. "I am waiting on the best fit as it pertains to winning a championship and getting a fair chance to play."Newton returned to the Panthers for an eight-game stretch last season but struggled to make a lasting impression. He was 0-5 as a starter and threw four touchdowns to five interceptions.Sam Darnold is currently penciled in as the starter heading into the draft, though Rhule said he wants to bring in another quarterback, per Newton. Carolina holds the No. 6 pick in the draft, but Rhule noted the team isn't guaranteed to select a quarterback there.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Green Bay Packers are unlikely to pursue an established star to take Davante Adams' role at wide receiver, general manager Brian Gutekunst suggested Monday."You never really replace a guy like Davante Adams," Gutekunst told reporters at the NFL owners' meetings, according to ESPN's Rob Demovsky. "It's gonna be more cumulative and how the whole team steps up and plays and what we can add to that. So getting the two (draft) picks and having four picks in the top 59 I think gives us a little bit of ammunition to try to make a difference there."The Packers traded Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders in early March for first- and second-round picks after failing to sign him to an extension. Adams carried Green Bay's passing attack in recent years and posted 1,553 yards with 11 touchdowns in 2021 to earn another All-Pro selection.His departure, coupled with that of Marquez Valdes-Scantling, leaves Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, and Amari Rodgers atop the Packers' depth chart. Robert Tonyan leads Green Bay's stable of tight ends.The Packers typically don't spend top draft picks on wide receivers. They haven't drafted one in the first two rounds since taking Adams in 2014. Gutekunst acknowledged the possibility of selecting multiple wideouts this year to reinforce the depleted unit."I don't think we've ever shied away from taking multiple players at one position in a draft," he said, per Wes Hodkiewicz of Packers.com. "So certainly, if the right players are there, we wouldn't shy away from that."Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Jets are signing defensive lineman and former No. 3 overall pick Solomon Thomas, a source told Brian Costello of the New York Post.Thomas is coming off a one-year stint with the Las Vegas Raiders. The San Francisco 49ers drafted him third overall in 2017 but moved on after four unproductive campaigns.While he hasn't lived up to his draft status, Thomas recorded a career-best 12 quarterback hits last season, adding 3.5 sacks in a backup role.The 26-year-old will join a Jets defensive line that features Carl Lawson and John Franklin-Myers on the ends and Quinnen Williams and Sheldon Rankins at tackle. Thomas, who's undersized compared to most interior linemen, has played all over the defensive front since breaking into the NFL.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch said Monday that quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo won't be released despite a trade failing to materialize in the early portion of the offseason."I don't foresee that," Lynch said at the NFL's annual meeting, according to ESPN's Nick Wagoner. "He's too good a player. I think Jimmy will be playing for us or will be playing for someone else. He's too good of a player not to be."The veteran was expected to be involved in the flurry of quarterback movement at the start of free agency. But with Garoppolo recovering from right shoulder surgery, Lynch said interested suitors decided to look elsewhere, leaving the signal-caller in limbo."I think, ultimately, the teams that we were closest with, the surgery gave them pause and they ended up going in other directions," Lynch said.Garoppolo isn't expected to be cleared to resume throwing at full strength until before training camp.San Francisco would gain $25.55 million in cap space by trading Garoppolo now but would only receive that entire saving with a release once he is healthy due to a $7.5-million injury guarantee.Sophomore signal-caller Trey Lance is widely expected to take over the starting role. Lynch didn't rule out keeping Garoppolo - who's been with the 49ers since 2017 - for the 2022 season, though he declined to say if he'd get a chance to compete with Lance.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL draft is headed to the Motor City.Detroit will host the 2024 draft, the league announced Monday."With the help of Visit Detroit, the Detroit Sports Commission, and the City of Detroit, the Lions' passionate fan base and all visitors will be treated to an incredible three-day experience," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said.The NFL picked Detroit over Green Bay and Washington, D.C., according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network."The Packers and the event's community supporters remain optimistic that Green Bay will have the opportunity to host the NFL Draft in the near future," Packers president Mark Murphy said in a statement. "We will continue to work with Discover Green Bay and our other partners in the effort to update our bid details and continue our dialogue with NFL officials so they remain excited about our community's plan to host this significant event."New York exclusively hosted the draft every year from 1965 to 2014. However, the league has expanded the three-day event to other cities in recent years.

The New England Patriots' coaching staff will feature some familiar faces in 2022 but will see its members in slightly different roles.Head coach Bill Belichick said Monday that Matt Patricia, who previously worked as a defensive assistant for a decade in New England, will now join the team's offensive coaching staff, according to Mark Daniels of the Providence Journal.Patricia joined the Patriots as an offensive assistant in 2004. He became known as a defensive guru in 2006 and gained national recognition while working as New England's defensive coordinator from 2012-17. The Detroit Lions hired him as head coach in 2018.The 47-year-old's tenure in Detroit didn't go as planned, with the Lions posting a 13-29-1 record before firing him midway through the 2020 season.Patricia is the second assistant to return to the Patriots in 2022 in a new offensive role after Joe Judge, who spent the past two seasons as the New York Giants' head coach. New York hired Judge after he worked as New England's special teams coordinator between 2015-19."We've had a lot of coaches take multiple responsibilities," Belichick said. "Matt was on offense and went to defense. So forth and so on. I'm not really worried about that. I think a good coach is a good coach. Matt's a great coach. Joe's a great coach. They'll help us no matter what position they coach."New England changed its offensive coaching staff this offseason after longtime coordinator Josh McDaniels left to become the Las Vegas Raiders' head coach. McDaniels, who spent two years as a defensive assistant for the Pats in 2002 and 2003, helped the team win six Super Bowl titles while coordinating the offense for 13 seasons across two stints.The unit's main task will be to develop second-year quarterback Mac Jones."I'm sure everybody will have a role in it. I'll work with him like I have before. Matt. Joe," Belichick said Monday when asked who will coach Jones.Belichick isn't ready to announce who'll replace McDaniels as his new offensive play-caller, though."We won't be calling any for a while," he said, according to ESPN's Mike Reiss.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Baker Mayfield is no longer the Cleveland Browns' franchise quarterback following the arrival of Deshaun Watson, but his next move remains a mystery.While Cleveland intends to trade the 2018 No. 1 overall pick, Mayfield's market doesn't appear to be strong after a host of teams made their decisions at quarterback when free agency started.Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday that he hopes Mayfield's future "is resolved soon," according to ESPN's Kevin Seifert."It's a unique situation," Stefanski said at the NFL's annual meeting. "We've got to see how it plays out. I think all of us would love an answer yesterday, but that's not the reality of it."Mayfield was reportedly eyeing a move to the Indianapolis Colts, but the AFC South club acquired Matt Ryan.The Carolina Panthers - one of the few quarterback-needy teams yet to make a related move this offseason - apparently aren't interested in pursuing Mayfield.The Seattle Seahawks could have interest in the signal-caller as the successor to Russell Wilson at the right price, sources told Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot. However, the Seahawks are reportedly keen on Drew Lock, who arrived from the Denver Broncos in the Wilson trade.Mayfield's lack of suitors could be due to his guaranteed full base salary of $18.858 million. He is also entering the final year of his rookie contract.Cleveland bolstered its depth behind Watson in free agency, signing Jacoby Brissett to act as the team's primary backup.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels is hopeful his team and Derek Carr will soon find a "sweet spot" as the two sides continue to negotiate a contract extension for the veteran quarterback."He's obviously what we are looking for, what we want to try to build around," McDaniels said. "Our relationship continues to grow, personally. We won't be able to do anything on the field here for a little, but that will be a process. I think, ultimately, you try to do what's best for the team, and I think both sides got to do what's best for them."The coach added: "Derek's going to have to make decisions about what's best for him. That's what each man's right is, and they should do that for their families. And at the same time, we've got to try to do what's right for the team. There will be a sweet spot in there, hopefully, for everybody, and we'll be excited to go forward like that."Carr's agent, Tim Younger, responded to McDaniels minutes later on Twitter."Clubs always do 'what is best for the team' in every situation," Younger wrote. "Players, even quarterbacks, don't expect teams to do 'what is best for the player.' Successful negotiations always end in a 'sweet spot.' That said, our practice is not to comment publicly regarding ongoing negotiations."Carr has one year left on his current contract after inking a five-year, $125-million pact in 2017. The 31-year-old began negotiating a new deal with the Raiders soon after free agency began March 14, according to The Athletic's Vic Tafur.The Raiders have been aggressive this offseason, trading for superstar wide receiver Davante Adams and then inking him to a five-year, $140-million contract. They also signed linebacker Chandler Jones to a three-year, $51-million deal.Carr, a three-time Pro Bowl passer, helped the 10-7 Raiders reach the playoffs last year after tossing a career-high 4,804 yards and 23 touchdowns against 14 interceptions.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Giants co-owner John Mara said he has no plans to settle the lawsuit Brian Flores brought forward for alleged racist hiring practices, calling the allegations false."Not settling it," Mara said Sunday, according to ESPN's Jordan Raanan. "Because the allegations are false. We're very comfortable with our hiring process. It was a fair process, and we ended up making the decision that we made based on a lot of factors - none of which had to do with race."Flores' lawsuit claims the Giants made plans to interview him solely to comply with the Rooney Rule and that they'd already decided on their intended head coach.Mara also denied any communication with New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, who the lawsuit said mistakenly texted Flores to congratulate him for landing the job prior to his interview. Belichick later clarified he made an error and said that he believed the Giants were going to hire Brian Daboll, who eventually landed the gig.The Giants called Flores' allegations "disturbing and simply false" in a statement released earlier this offseason."I've said over and over again: We had a very thorough process," Mara added Sunday. "Interviewed some great candidates. Made the decision we made based on a lot of factors. (General manager) Joe (Schoen's) prior relationship with Brian (Daboll) certainly entered into it. But at the end of the day, we thought Brian Daboll was the best fit for us."Flores also received consideration from the Houston Texans, Chicago Bears, and New Orleans Saints for a head-coaching job this offseason but failed to secure any of the positions. He was later hired to the Pittsburgh Steelers' defensive staff.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Denver Broncos general manager George Paton downplayed any early praise he received for his blockbuster acquisition of Russell Wilson."I don't get out much. My family doesn't praise me," Paton said Sunday, according to Mike Klis of 9News. "The fact is we won seven games. I'm a 7-10 GM. No one cares if you win the offseason. They only care if you win the regular season. We keep everything in perspective."The Broncos hired Paton last offseason in hopes of turning around the franchise's fortunes. The club has failed to make the postseason in each of its last six seasons since winning Super Bowl 50 with Peyton Manning under center.The Broncos have started 11 different players at quarterback since Manning retired. On the lookout for stability under center, rumors linked the club to Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers before it landed Wilson.Wilson spent 10 years with the Seattle Seahawks, earning nine Pro Bowl nods and one Super Bowl championship. He joins a Broncos offense that features rising talents such as Javonte Williams, Courtland Sutton, and Jerry Jeudy.Head coach Nathaniel Hackett said he plans to design an offense centered around his new signal-caller."Once (you) get to know him, understand him, we'll build it around him. So what is it going to be? It's going to be what Russell likes to do," Hackett said.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It wasn't easy for Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur to say goodbye to star wideout Davante Adams."Sometimes, you got to make some tough decisions," LaFleur told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. "Certainly appreciate everything Davante brought to our team. I mean, he is the best receiver in the National Football League, so that was a tough one for me personally and for our organization."The Las Vegas Raiders pulled off a shocking trade for Adams earlier in March. LaFleur noted that "there really wasn't anything to talk about" in the Packers' bid to keep Adams after they franchise tagged the wideout this offseason."I mean, you're going through a contract negotiation, and certainly it was just one of those deals where, like I said, a lot of tough decisions had to be made," LaFleur said.The Raiders handed Adams a five-year, $141.25-million deal upon acquiring him. The Packers were reportedly willing to offer him more money, but Adams was set on playing for Las Vegas.Adams, who grew up a Raiders fan, described his new venture with the franchise as a "dream" move last Tuesday.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Despite having question marks at quarterback, the Pittsburgh Steelers didn't pursue one of the many star passers on the trade block this offseason.General manager Kevin Colbert explained Sunday that Pittsburgh didn't want to lose draft capital in exchange for a veteran quarterback, according to ESPN's Brooke Pryor.The Steelers instead signed Mitchell Trubisky to a two-year deal in free agency. Trubisky backed up Josh Allen on the Buffalo Bills in 2021 after going 29-21 as a starter with the Chicago Bears from 2017-20.Pittsburgh, which also has Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins on its depth chart, is now looking deeply into this year's quarterback draft class."We've been at top quarterback pro days for the first time in a long time because we may be in a position where we have (a need)," Colbert added. "Does that mean we're taking one? Possibly."Pittsburgh owns the 20th overall pick this year. However, some personnel around the league believe the team would consider moving up if its top quarterback option falls past No. 9, according to Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post."We have had a high level of urgency for several years in terms of evaluating the (quarterback) position," Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said Sunday, according to Mark Kaboly of The Athletic. "I know I have, and that led us up to be definitive in terms of the things of the value."The Steelers are looking for a new starting signal-caller after Ben Roethlisberger retired following 18 seasons with the team.Pittsburgh announced in January that Colbert will step down after the draft, which will take place April 28-30 in Las Vegas.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Colts head coach Frank Reich can't wait to see Matt Ryan under center in Indy.The Colts acquired Ryan through a trade with the Atlanta Falcons this offseason in a move Reich believes offers mutual benefits for his team and the veteran quarterback."I think everyone saw from the outside that this is a good fit," Reich said Sunday during the NFL's annual league meeting, according to Michael Baca of NFL.com. "Like, people can universally agree you got a guy who's still playing at a high level with a team and roster that is built to make some noise. We needed each other."The Colts have lacked consistent play at quarterback since Andrew Luck retired in 2018. Ryan will become the club's fifth different Week 1 signal-caller in as many seasons.Indy began looking for a new passer this offseason after trading Carson Wentz to the Washington Commanders, ending his stint in Indianapolis after just one campaign.Meanwhile, the Falcons signaled the start of a rebuild by moving on from Ryan after 14 seasons. They sent the signal-caller to the Colts in exchange for a third-round pick.Though Ryan will turn 37 in May, Reich still thinks the former MVP has a lot left in the tank."The first thing I'm looking at is, is the accuracy still there and what does the arm look like," said Reich, who's entering his fifth season in Indy. "So, dig into every throw from the last couple (of) years. Look at the ball velocity, look at the length, look at the accuracy, look at the movement skills, and I see no diminishing physical skills."Now six years removed from his 2016 MVP campaign, Ryan has tossed more than 30 touchdowns in a season just once over the last five seasons. The four-time Pro Bowler, who led the NFL in completions in 2019 and 2020, completed 67% of his passes for 3,968 yards and 20 touchdowns against 12 interceptions across 17 games in 2021.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After Tyreek Hill and Davante Adams reset the wide receiver market with record-setting contracts this offseason, other top pass-catchers like Stefon Diggs may soon be looking for a significant raise.Although the Buffalo Bills star has recorded 2,760 yards and 18 touchdowns across two seasons since joining the club in 2020, his $14.4-million average annual salary ranks just 21st among receivers, according to Spotrac. However, Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane doesn't expect any problems when the two sides start negotiating a new deal."We've got Stefon for two years, so we know that," Beane said, according to Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. "At the right time, we'll work with his reps and see if there's something to be done that works for him."He's a winner. He's all-in on winning. And, sure, everybody wants to be paid, but he wants to be on a winning team. I think he's been the best version of himself. So, I don't see that being an issue."Following a contract dispute between Adams and the Green Bay Packers, the Las Vegas Raiders acquired the pass-catcher March 17 and gave him a five-year, $140-million deal, which became the all-time highest average annual value among receivers. A week later, Hill topped that after the Miami Dolphins traded for him and signed the wideout to a four-year, $120-million pact.Hill's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, recently said he and the Chiefs had been making progress in extensions talks until Adams' new contract in Las Vegas "flipped everything upside down." DeAndre Hopkins' deal with the Arizona Cardinals was the previous leader by a significant margin.#WRTeamAvg Annual Salary1Tyreek HillMIA$30M2Davante AdamsLV$28M3DeAndre HopkinsARI$27.25M4D.J. MooreCAR$20.63M5Keenan AllenLAC$20.03Diggs has also made two straight Pro Bowls during his Bills tenure after being acquired from the Minnesota Vikings. Additionally, the 28-year-old led the NFL with 127 catches and 1,535 yards in 2020.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Kansas City Chiefs have signed former Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Ronald Jones, the team announced.Kansas City gave Jones a one-year contract worth up to $5 million, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.Jones, who won Super Bowl LV against the Chiefs, spent four seasons in Tampa Bay after the Buccaneers drafted him in the second round in 2018.The 24-year-old took a back seat to Leonard Fournette in the run game last year, and rushed for only 428 yards and four touchdowns. He rumbled for 978 yards and seven touchdowns in 2020 while splitting touches with Fournette and averaged 5.1 yards per carry.Jones led the Buccaneers in rushing in 2020 and 2021, rebounding from a brutal rookie campaign in which he mustered up only 44 yards on the ground. He's the fourth free agent to leave the Bucs this offseason, joining guard Alex Cappa, safety Jordan Whitehead, and tight end O.J. Howard.Jones will join a Chiefs backfield led by former first-round pick Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Kansas City's other top two running backs from last season - Darrel Williams and Jerick McKinnon - are free agents.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Kansas City Chiefs are interested in acquiring New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry, according to Nate Taylor of The Athletic.Bradberry has been rumored to be on the trade block throughout the offseason. He's due $13.4 million in base salary in 2022, a high price for a Giants team pressed up against the salary cap.The 28-year-old has spent the last two seasons in New York. Bradberry made the Pro Bowl in 2020 but struggled in 2021. The Giants chose to hang on to him at the beginning of the new league year, trimming salary elsewhere to get under the cap.The Chiefs lacked financial flexibility at the start of free agency but opened a wad of room Wednesday by trading star wide receiver Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins. The club has already distributed some of the savings, agreeing to deals with former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling and former Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Ronald Jones.Kansas City has L'Jarius Sneed, Rashad Fenton, and Deandre Baker atop the depth chart at cornerback. It lost Charvarius Ward shortly after the market opened when he signed a three-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers.The Chiefs have also shown interest in five-time Pro Bowl cornerback Stephon Gilmore, reports Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network. The 31-year-old played for the Carolina Panthers last season after spending four campaigns with the New England Patriots.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

NFL free agency is typically chock-full of player movement. That's especially true this year because the salary cap rose 14% after an 8% drop in 2021. Teams are wheeling and dealing - and not just by opening their bank vaults to acquire free agents.The trade market has been especially active, too - particularly for quarterbacks, a position that traditionally doesn't see much movement. Most of that aggressiveness is concentrated in the AFC, where the Patriots' two-decade dynasty is no more, and a host of young, talented quarterbacks upped the competitive ante in 2021.A conference that began the offseason with Joe Burrow, Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Justin Herbert, and Derek Carr now also includes Russell Wilson and Matt Ryan, plus Deshaun Watson moving from Houston to Cleveland. Meanwhile, high-end 2021 draft picks Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, and Mac Jones are entering pivotal second seasons. The Titans plan to roll with the efficient (but limited) Ryan Tannehill, the Dolphins are gearing up a new-look offense for Tua Tagovailoa, the Steelers took a cheap, short-term flyer on Mitchell Trubisky, and the Texans intend, for now, to run Davis Mills out there for another rebuilding year. Nick Cammett / Getty ImagesAnd that's it. That's where all 16 teams stand at the quarterback position heading into 2022, pending the addition of more reinforcements in the draft or the acquisition of someone like Jimmy Garoppolo or Baker Mayfield.But the AFC's arms race hasn't just been limited to QBs. Let's examine what most of the conference's top teams have done to bolster their rosters after a season in which the margin for error was incredibly thin.Denver BroncosKey additions: QB Russell Wilson, EDGE Randy Gregory, DT D.J. Jones, CB K'Waun Williams, RT Tom Compton, RT Billy TurnerKey retentions: RG Graham Glasgow, ILB Josey JewellKey losses: DL Shelby Harris, TE Noah FantWhat it means: The Broncos spent seven years flailing in their attempts to land a quarterback, and in recent seasons they've been one of those teams that's only a quarterback away from being a postseason challenger with the potential to make a deep playoff run. Wilson, the first major domino to move this offseason, fixes that problem. Julio Aguilar / Getty ImagesWilson will have wideouts Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton, and Tim Patrick, tight end Albert Okwuegbunam, and running back Javonte Williams at his disposal - plus a coaching staff that figures to let him rip it. But by keeping Glasgow and bringing back Turner (and adding Compton for depth), the Broncos went a long way toward keeping Wilson upright, something that had been a longstanding problem for him in Seattle.Denver might have overpaid for Gregory, who has played more than 12 games just once in seven seasons, but that's fine. GM George Paton has referred to Jewell as "the glue that kept our defense together," so bringing him back after he missed all but two games with a pec injury helps complete the defense, too.Las Vegas RaidersKey additions: WR Davante Adams, EDGE Chandler Jones, DL Bilal Nichols, CB Rock Ya-Sin, RB Brandon Bolden, DL Vernon Butler, CB Anthony Averett, CB Darius PhillipsKey retentions: EDGE Maxx Crosby, RT Brandon ParkerKey losses: EDGE Yannick Ngakoue, WR Zay Jones, CB Casey Hayward, DL Quinton Jefferson, CB Brandon Facyson, FB Alec Ingold, ILB Nicholas Morrow, ILB Nick Kwiatkoski, ILB K.J. WrightWhat it means: After landing in the playoffs with an interim head coach and coming just a few yards shy of knocking off the eventual AFC champion Bengals, the Raiders got super aggressive in the offseason. They traded for Adams and will pay him top-of-the-market money, extended Crosby and signed Jones to bookend him, and swapped Ngakoue for Ya-Sin. Michael Hickey / Getty ImagesA huge extension for Carr has to be in the works, too. He has long given the Raiders solid play, while they haven't complimented him with a strong defense. Their new Patriots-influenced brain trust has taken strides to improve that unit, but they still need help at linebacker. Vegas also now lacks a first-and second-round pick in the upcoming draft, so it remains to be seen just how big a step it can take in a loaded AFC West.Miami DolphinsKey additions: WR Tyreek Hill, LT Terron Armstead, LG Connor Williams, RB Chase Edmonds, RB Raheem Mostert, FB Alec Ingold, QB Teddy BridgewaterKey retentions: DL Emmanuel Ogbah, TE Mike Gesicki, ILB Elandon Roberts, TE Durham SmytheKey losses: WR Allen Hurns, RT Jesse Davis, WR Will Fuller, RB Phillip Lindsay, RB Duke JohnsonWhat it means: With Armstead and Williams, Miami took big swings to shore up its offensive line. With Hill, the team added a dynamic playmaker to complement Jaylen Waddle and Gesicki. But the additions of Edmonds, Mostert, and Ingold - along with the retention of Smythe - signal that new head coach Mike McDaniel intends to install a Kyle Shanahan-inspired offense that's big on throwing the ball out of heavy personnel packages. Michael Reaves / Getty ImagesOnly Jared Goff and Ben Roethlisberger had fewer average intended air yards last season than Tagovailoa, according to Next Gen Stats. It seems the Dolphins are doing all they can to create a supportive structure for him, much like McDaniel and Shanahan did for Garoppolo in San Francisco. If all else fails, Bridgewater is there to perform his perpetual backstop role.Per Spotrac, only the Jaguars doled out more in contractual guarantees this offseason, so Miami is clearly going for it. Given the questions at quarterback, it's fair to wonder whether they're close to getting there, though even after the Hill trade, they still have a pair of first-round picks banked for 2023.Los Angeles ChargersKey additions: EDGE Khalil Mack, CB J.C. Jackson, DL Sebastian Joseph-Day, NT Austin Johnson, TE Gerald EverettKey retentions: WR Mike Williams, RT Storm Norton, WR Jalen Guyton, DT Christian CovingtonKey losses: RT Bryan Bulaga Justin Casterline / Getty ImagesWhat it means: Herbert's rookie contract provides the Chargers with oodles of cap resources, and GM Tom Telesco set about using them to shore up a defense that kept the team from making the playoffs last season.L.A. also spent a bundle ($20 million in average annual value) to retain Williams while also hanging on to Norton and Guyton, thanks to the low costs of the respective restricted free agents. Bulaga barely played in the two years since coming over from Green Bay.Obviously, playing defense in the loaded AFC West is going to be a tall order, but L.A. did as much as it could to bolster what had been a beleaguered unit, no matter the opponent.Kansas City ChiefsKey additions: S Justin Reid, WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling, RB Ronald JonesKey retentions: EDGE Frank Clark, LT Orlando Brown Jr.Key losses: WR Tyreek Hill, S Tyrann Mathieu, CB Charvarius Ward, WR Byron Pringle Joe Sargent / Getty ImagesWhat it means: The Chiefs gave up a dynamic talent by trading Hill, but they're playing the long game here in part because they have to. Mahomes signed his big contract extension two years ago, but 2022 is the first season in which the gargantuan cap impact of that deal ($35.7 million) kicks in.Kansas City has the security of knowing it will have Mahomes for the foreseeable future. Losing Hill will sting, but Andy Reid's as good an offensive coach as there is, and stacking draft capital to have the low-cost ability to maintain a solid roster around Mahomes is important for sustaining the success they've had.Cincinnati BengalsKey additions: RG Alex Cappa, C Ted Karras, RT La'el Collins, TE Hayden HurstKey retentions: S Jessie Bates III, DL B.J. Hill, CB Eli AppleKey losses: TE C.J. Uzomah, CB Trae Waynes, CB Darius Phillips Ronald Martinez / Getty ImagesWhat it means: The Bengals' Super Bowl loss to the Rams revealed how imperative it was for them to find protection for Burrow - for 2022 and beyond. Cincinnati managed to do just that by locking Cappa and Karras down as soon as free agency opened, then later adding Collins just days after the Cowboys cut him loose.The Bengals never spend big in free agency, and they didn't break the bank to land some vital pieces. The franchise tag also allowed them to buy an extra year with Bates before he's eligible to hit the market. It looks like another strong spring for a franchise that's quietly been building with solid offseasons in recent years.Buffalo BillsKey additions: EDGE Von Miller, DL DaQuan Jones, DL Tim Settle, TE O.J. Howard, WR Jamison Crowder, RG Rodger SaffoldKey retentions: C Mitch Morse, CB Siran NealKey losses: WR Cole Beasley, DL Harrison Phillips, RT Daryl Williams, EDGE Jerry Hughes, CB Levi Wallace, EDGE Mario Addison, WR Emmanuel Sanders Icon Sportswire / Getty ImagesWhat it means: Buffalo ranked first in defensive DVOA last year, but it needed more on the defensive interior and for its pass rush. The acquisition of Miller, Jones, and Settle does a lot to fix those problems. On offense, Crowder can replace Beasley in the slot, while Howard and Dawson Knox can be a formidable 1-2 punch at tight end.The franchise will have to put the disappointment of that devastating playoff loss to Kansas City behind it. Over the last five years, GM Brandon Beane and head coach Sean McDermott have shown they're capable of finding the right pieces.This is a pivotal year for the Bills, too, with Allen carrying a cap figure of $16.4 million. That figure jumps to $39.7 million in 2023 when his extension kicks in. As with the Chiefs' decision to move on from Hill, the Bills will likewise have to make some tough roster choices on an expensive veteran or two next offseason. But they're certainly loaded for bear heading into 2022.Cleveland BrownsKey additions: QB Deshaun Watson, WR Amari Cooper, WR Jakeem Grant Sr., DL Taven Bryan, DL Chase Winovich, QB Jacoby BrissettKey retentions: TE David Njoku, RT Jack ConklinKey losses: WR Jarvis Landry, C JC Tretter, EDGE Jadeveon Clowney, EDGE Takkarist McKinley, DL Malik Jackson Emilee Chinn / Getty ImagesWhat it means: Cleveland is now solid all-around, but it also just guaranteed a fortune to a quarterback who could be staring at a significant suspension. Will they or won't they release Mayfield? With him carrying an $18.9-million cap figure and few potential places left for him to land as a starter, that's the next domino to fall.Dom Cosentino is a senior features writer at theScore.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Bobby Wagner visited the Baltimore Ravens on Friday, a source told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.The Ravens have a high interest in the linebacker, per Fowler.Wagner and the Los Angeles Rams, who apparently hosted the free agent earlier this week, were reported to have mutual interest in reaching a deal. The Dallas Cowboys also reportedly reached out to the longtime Seattle Seahawk.Seattle released Wagner earlier this month after 10 seasons. Regarded as one of the league's best linebackers at the peak of his career, the 31-year-old has racked up eight Pro Bowl nods and six All-Pro selections.Wagner has recorded 1,383 tackles since entering the league in 2012. That ranks first among all NFL defenders during that stretch.If he were to sign with Baltimore, Wagner would join a linebacker group headlined by 2020 first-round selection Patrick Queen.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota recognizes that Matt Ryan's departure leaves him with "big shoes to fill."However, Mariota is looking to avoid comparisons to the franchise icon and instead focus on his own journey."I think, for me, something I definitely learned over the course of my career is that you can't compare yourself to other people," Mariota said Friday, according to Michael Rothstein of ESPN. "What Matt did here, what he's accomplished here, is truly greatness, and for me, I just have to kind of carve my own path."Mariota inked a two-year deal with the Falcons shortly after the team traded Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts this week. Ryan, a 14-year pro, played his entire career with Atlanta since being selected as the third overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft.A once heralded quarterback prospect himself, Mariota was drafted second overall by the Tennessee Titans before flaming out after four years as a starter. He's spent the last two seasons as a backup with the Las Vegas Raiders. In Atlanta, he will be reunited with head coach Arthur Smith, who served on the Titans' offensive staff during Mariota's stay with the team."Marcus is a high-end talent just like Ryan was," Smith said, per Rothstein. "He was a first-round pick. He's in a different spot in his career, and I trust Marcus, and Marcus, he's going to come in here and he's going to give us everything he's got."Mariota added that the "excitement" of joining up with Smith led to his interest in the opportunity.The 28-year-old signal-caller carries a 29-32 record as a starter and has completed 62.8% of his passes for 77 touchdowns against 45 interceptions.While Mariota currently heads the quarterback room, the Falcons also hold the No. 8 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.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

Despite the Carolina Panthers' pursuit of an upgrade at quarterback this offseason, general manager Scott Fitterer said Friday that Sam Darnold is currently in line to be the team's starting signal-caller."The whole key is bringing Sam along," Fitterer said, according to ESPN's David Newton. "He's in the lead for that job."However, Fitterer also said the club still plans to add to the quarterback room, per The Associated Press' Steve Reed.The Panthers were among several teams interested in acquiring Deshaun Watson before he chose to join the Cleveland Browns. The team's interest in Watson came after Fitterer said earlier this month that Carolina's quarterback position was "open."Fitterer said there are no hurt feelings from Darnold following the team's pursuit of Watson, per Newton.Darnold went 4-7 as a starter last season after being acquired from the New York Jets. The third overall pick in the 2018 draft threw for 2,527 yards and nine touchdowns in 2021 amid injuries and erratic play.Additionally, Fitterer said the "door is still open" for Cam Newton's return, although he added that Newton has to want to come back and understand his role. The 2015 MVP played eight games and made five starts for Carolina after reuniting with the franchise midway through last season.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Chicago Bears have explored trade offers for quarterback Nick Foles, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reports.Foles is entering the final year of his contract and carries a $10.6-million cap hit next season. Chicago paid Foles a $4-million roster bonus in March, and the signal-caller has $1 million of his 2022 base salary guaranteed, Garafolo adds.The Bears are expected to move on from Foles after reportedly signing Trevor Siemian on Friday to a two-year contract. The veteran will likely back up second-year passer Justin Fields next campaign.Chicago acquired Foles from the Jacksonville Jaguars for a 2020 fourth-round pick. The 33-year-old signal-caller has passed for 2,102 yards, 11 touchdowns, and eight interceptions over two seasons with the Bears.The Philadelphia Eagles selected Foles in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft. The Arizona product spent five seasons with the NFC East club, leading the franchise to its first Lombardi Trophy in 2017 and being named Super Bowl MVP in the contest.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Giants are open to trading their fifth or seventh overall selections in the upcoming draft for a package that includes a 2023 first-rounder, league sources told SNY's Ralph Vacchiano.The NFC East club could be looking for some financial relief as it's just $1.4 million under the salary cap, according to Over the Cap. The Giants have nine total picks in the 2022 draft, which will cost roughly $12.5 million in cap space, Vacchiano reports.New York has to decide by May 2 - two days after the draft - whether it'll pick up Daniel Jones' fifth-year option that would see the quarterback earn about $22.3 million in 2023, per Spotrac.Cornerback James Bradberry's future also remains uncertain as he's set to carry a $21.8-million cap hit next campaign. The Giants would prefer to trade the veteran this offseason and are willing to eat some of his $13.5-million salary to get a deal done, according to ESPN's Jordan Raanan.The 2022 NFL Draft is set to take place from April 28-30.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Kyler Murray's future with the Arizona Cardinals became cloudy earlier this offseason, but the quarterback says he's confident in continuing his career with the franchise."I'm an Arizona Cardinal," Murray said Thursday while speaking to the media for the first time since the playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams, according to team reporter Darren Urban. "I've done nothing but give my all to the Cardinals and will continue to do that. I'm not really too worried about my future as a Cardinal."The 2019 first overall pick scrubbed his Instagram of content related to the Cardinals in February. Murray's agent has since explained the situation, saying the star passer has no current plans of leaving the franchise but wants more commitment from Arizona in the form of a long-term contract. Murray has yet to ink an extension with the team."If you are a kid my age, you're used to people take off (posts)," Murray said about the speculation related to his Instagram. "That's just a thing. I took everything off of there besides one picture. It had nothing to do with the Cardinals or anything like that."Murray was reportedly embarrassed by the playoff loss and felt like the Cardinals framed him as the scapegoat for their defeat.The two-time Pro Bowler has notched good seasons since entering the NFL, but he's failed to take his game to the next level. The 2019 Offensive Rookie of the Year, who's 22-23-1 in the regular season, passed for 3,787 yards and 24 touchdowns against 10 interceptions in 14 appearances last year. He also racked up five touchdowns on the ground, down from 11 in 2020.Arizona has played one postseason game since drafting Murray.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Miami Dolphins wide receiver DeVante Parker is generating trade interest from a host of teams, including the Philadelphia Eagles, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.The Dolphins have stocked up at wide receiver this offseason, potentially making Parker expendable. Miami acquired Tyreek Hill from the Kansas City Chiefs and signed Cedrick Wilson in free agency, bolstering a passing offense that already featured Jaylen Waddle and tight end Mike Gesicki in prominent roles.Parker has battled injuries since his 1,202-yard, nine-touchdown breakout campaign in 2019. The 6-foot-3 target had 515 yards and two touchdowns over 10 outings in 2021 and has averaged 675 yards per season across seven years with the Dolphins.Parker is signed through 2023. The 29-year-old is due $5.65 million in base salary in 2022 and has no guaranteed money left on his contract.The Eagles added Zach Pascal in free agency but still lack a marquee weapon outside of DeVonta Smith, who had 916 yards and five touchdowns as a rookie. They were reportedly on the verge of acquiring Calvin Ridley before the NFL suspended the Atlanta Falcons star for gambling.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Kansas City Chiefs are signing former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling to a three-year, $30-million deal, his agents told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.The deal, which includes $18 million over the first two years, contains incentives and can reach a maximum of $36 million.The New Orleans Saints, who offered Valdes-Scantling a two-year deal this offseason, were the favorites to sign the pass-catcher until the Chiefs made a late push with the three-year contract, reports ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.Green Bay reportedly tried to re-sign him on a one-year pact.Valdes-Scantling joins Kansas City one day after the team traded superstar wide receiver Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for five draft picks.The 27-year-old spent his first four NFL seasons in Green Bay and has established himself as an explosive deep threat.Valdes-Scantling set career highs with 690 yards and six touchdown catches in 2020 to go along with an NFL-leading 20.9 yards per reception. However, he wasn't able to replicate that production last year, finishing the campaign with 26 receptions, 430 yards, and three touchdowns through 11 appearances.The 2018 fifth-round pick is the second wide receiver to join the Chiefs this offseason after JuJu Smith-Schuster.Kansas City, winners of six consecutive AFC West titles, features one of the NFL's most productive offensive units led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs have ranked in the top 10 for both points and total yards in each of the last five seasons.

Kansas City will host the 2023 NFL Draft, the Chiefs announced Thursday.The event will take place April 27-29, 2023."This will be one of the biggest and most anticipated professional sporting events our city has hosted," Kansas City Sports Commission CEO Kathy Nelson said in a statement. "Not only will fans from around the country be traveling to experience the NFL draft and NFL Draft Experience, but millions of viewers will see Kansas City in the national spotlight on NFL Network, ESPN, and other major networks."The NFL draft, which Kansas City has never hosted, took place in Cleveland in 2021 and will be staged in Las Vegas at Allegiant Stadium this year.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

Since trading for quarterback Deshaun Watson by shipping six draft picks to the Houston Texans and handing Watson a precedent-shattering, fully guaranteed long-term contract, the Cleveland Browns have not held a press conference.To date, the Browns' only public comments on the trade have come in the form of prepared statements posted to the team website and shared on social media. The remarks are attributed to team owners Jimmy Haslam and his wife, Dee; general manager Andrew Berry; and head coach Kevin Stefanski.Watson is a radiant talent, but he also faces lawsuits from 22 women who accuse him of sexual misconduct during massage appointments. He will not be charged with a crime - a decision made by a Texas prosecutor after a grand jury determined that not enough evidence was presented to warrant probable cause. It's an outcome that reflects the difficulty in prosecuting allegations of sexual misconduct more than an absolute indication of Watson's innocence.The statements credited to the Browns' brass attempt to square this reality with the massive investment the team made to make Watson the face of the franchise. What follows is a closer reading of their words.Statement from Dee and Jimmy HaslamQuote: "We spent a tremendous amount of time exploring and investigating the opportunity to trade for Deshaun Watson."Translation: Just a heads-up: We're going to keep repeating that we did this big ol' deep dive into what happened with Watson because we feel that if we say it often enough, you might believe us. Diamond Images / Getty ImagesQuote: "We are acutely aware and empathetic to the highly personal sentiments expressed about this decision."Translation: We know the women Watson may have harmed are real people. We also hear the concerns of our fans and others who think this is all a bad look. We don't care.Quote: "Our team's comprehensive evaluation process was of utmost importance due to the sensitive nature of his situation and the complex factors involved."Translation: We're reluctant to get into any specifics here because it might expose what we're trying to say for how hollow it really is. It's true that we did not contact Tony Buzbee, the attorney for the women accusing Watson. But, as The Athletic's Jason Lloyd reported, we did talk to three female lawyers from Watson's defense team. After all, nothing shows you did your homework on a potential employee accused of sexual misconduct like talking to the lawyers from the high-profile firm that's collecting a fortune to represent him. Especially if those lawyers also happen to be women. That's how you dot the Is and cross the Ts, bucko.Quote: "We also understand there are still some legal proceedings that are ongoing and we will respect due process."Translation: Look, all we care about is that he ain't being charged with a crime, OK? But by saying we respect due process we at least sound like we're concerned with whatever else is going to happen and who might be affected. We learned the value of this when the truck-stop company Jimmy runs defrauded people and all we had to do was pay a fine before getting on with our lives. We know and trust that the legal system works, at least when you're as wealthy as we are. Carmen Mandato / Getty ImagesQuote: "It was pivotal that we, along with Andrew Berry and Kevin Stefanski, meet with Deshaun to have a straightforward dialogue, discuss our priorities, and hear directly from him on how he wants to approach his career on and off the field."Translation: Lloyd also reported that we flew to Houston to meet with Watson for more than two hours on March 15 and that we spent 30 minutes talking about his case. The rest of that discussion was about football, in case you were wondering about our priorities.Quote: "He was humble, sincere, and candid. In our conversations, Deshaun detailed his commitment to leading our team; he understands and embraces the hard work needed to build his name both in the community and on the field. Those in-depth conversations, the extensive evaluation process, his dedication to being a great teammate and devotion to helping others within the NFL, within the community, and through his charitable initiatives provided the foundation for us to pursue Deshaun."Translation: If we throw enough words like this at you, we hope to convince you we're sincere.Quote: "We are confident in Deshaun and excited about moving forward with him as our quarterback and supporting his genuine and determined efforts."Translation: We know any of the outrage we've generated with this move will blow over soon enough. Diamond Images / Getty ImagesStatement from GM Andrew BerryQuote: "We look forward to having Deshaun as our starting quarterback."Translation: We think this dude can win us a lot of games.Quote: "We have done extensive investigative, legal and reference work over the past several months to provide us with the appropriate information needed to make an informed decision about pursuing him and moving forward with him as our quarterback."Translation: Allow me to repeat what the Haslams kept saying about the thoroughgoing inquiry we say we did on this guy because it gestures in the direction of decency and sounds really damn good.Quote: "Deshaun has been among the very best at the position and he understands the work needed to re-establish himself on and off the field in Cleveland."Translation: He's a great quarterback. Great quarterbacks are scarce commodities. The end.Quote: "We are confident that he will make positive contributions to our team and community as we support his return to football."Translation: This is why we upped the ante by giving him a five-year contract that pays a fully guaranteed $230 million. It's also why we structured that deal so his base salary in 2022 will pay him the league veteran minimum of $1.035 million. Because if the league were to still suspend him this year, that's the maximum he'd have to forfeit. We really did our best to think of everything. Well, everything except how the women accusing Watson feel. But you get the idea. Nick Cammett / Getty ImageStatement from head coach Kevin StefanskiQuote: "Our organization did a tremendous amount of background on Deshaun."Translation: I'm saying this for the same reasons the Haslams and Andrew Berry did. There's no need for me to elaborate.Quote: "We understand the concerns and questions that exist but are confident in the extensive work Andrew and his staff have done to feel confident about him joining our organization."Translations: Those concerns and questions aren't really concerns and questions of ours. And holy cow, how about the way Andrew structured that contract to minimize the financial impact of a possible suspension? That's some All-Pro general managing right there.Quote: "It was important for us to meet with Deshaun in person as part of our team's evaluation process, we had a candid conversation regarding his approach to coming into our organization and community."Translation: We think we can work with this guy.Quote: "I'm looking forward to the opportunity to coach Deshaun, he is ready to put in the hard work needed to help our team improve and make a positive impact in our community."Translation: This sounds much better than saying the Haslams pay Andrew and me to win football games, period. Because once you finish cutting the crap, that's all that matters here.Dom Cosentino is a senior features writer at theScore.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Las Vegas Raiders' acquisition of Davante Adams not only gave them a legitimate star at receiver, but it also may have cost their biggest division rival its own.Following Wednesday's shocking trade of All-Pro wideout Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins, Hill's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told "The Joe Rose Show with Zach Krantz" on AM 560 Sports that he and the Kansas City Chiefs had been making progress in extensions talks. However, Rosenhaus said things changed after Adams signed a historic contract immediately upon his move from the Green Bay Packers to the Raiders last week."At the end of the season, I started conversations with the Chiefs on a contract extension, and it really was heading in the direction of slowly but surely working out a new deal for Tyreek," Rosenhaus said. "And then the Davante Adams trade got done, and Adams got a record-setting contract."And I immediately reviewed that contract, and I spoke to the Chiefs and had a very positive conversation with them that this should be the market for Tyreek. And if it wasn't, then the right thing to do would be for everyone to benefit, which would be for the team to have an unprecedented trade and for Tyreek to go to a team that would be willing to make him the highest-paid receiver."Adams reportedly signed a five-year, $141.25-million pact to briefly top the wide receiver market at over $28 million per season.Hill exceeded that mark by nearly $2 million per campaign, agreeing to a four-year, $120-million extension that also contained $72.2 million guaranteed with Miami."The bottom line is he was in the last year of his contract," Rosenhaus added. "We had actually worked out a restructure that the Chiefs wanted a week before. And it really looked like we were going to just continue to work toward a contract extension. ... Then the Adams deal really flipped everything upside down."The Chiefs, I think they had the foresight to see that Tyreek was in the last year of his contract and we weren't going to take a deal that wasn't better than Adams'. So, they recognized that this would probably be their last year with Tyreek, and this was their opportunity to rebuild at that position. And the Dolphins are a team that's trying to get where the Chiefs are."The Dolphins gave up five draft picks to reportedly beat out the New York Jets for Hill, including their first- and second-round selections (No. 29 and No. 50 overall) this year.Kansas City, meanwhile, will move into a new era after riding arguably the most productive offensive trio in recent memory - Hill, quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and tight end Travis Kelce - to one Super Bowl win and four straight AFC championship appearances.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Free-agent linebacker Bobby Wagner is visiting the Los Angeles Rams, and both parties share interest in striking an agreement, sources told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.Wagner hit the open market on March 12 after the Seattle Seahawks released him following a decorated 10-year run. The 31-year-old was still among the best inside linebackers in the NFL at the end of his Seattle tenure, but the Seahawks deemed his $20.35-million cap hit too expensive.Wagner has been a tackling machine since entering the NFL in 2012, setting a career high with 170 in 2021. The eight-time Pro Bowler has eclipsed 100 tackles in every season of his career while serving as the centerpiece of Seattle's defense.The Rams have a hole in their starting lineup at linebacker next to Ernest Jones, as Troy Reeder became a free agent after the 2021 season.Los Angeles could also be looking to add another impact defender after losing outside linebacker Von Miller to the Buffalo Bills earlier in free agency.The Dallas Cowboys are among the other teams that have been loosely linked to Wagner, but Dallas is unlikely to sign him, according to Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Free-agent cornerback Malcolm Butler is returning to the New England Patriots on a two-year contract worth up to $9 million, Butler's agent, Derek Simpson, told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Butler, who spent his first four NFL seasons in New England, signed a one-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals in 2021 but opted to retire prior to the season began. He announced his intention to resume his NFL career in February.More to come.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.Welcome to theScore Fantasy Football Podcast, hosted by Justin Boone.Find the show on iTunes, Spotify, Google, Stitcher, and Anchor.In this episode, Boone breaks down the fantasy impact of the Tyreek Hill trade.

The NFL just won't rest. As I'm writing this, another significant trade happened. Will it shake up the odds for Super Bowl LVII? Maybe, maybe not. It takes a pretty big splash to produce a meaningful change to the odds. Smaller moves will affect smaller markets - divisional odds, season win totals, etc.Over a month ago, we discussed a handful of teams with room to improve their odds. While the Steelers and Giants haven't made big splashes, you could make a case that their division rivals haven't made moves as good as they think. Let's look at the shifts in the macro market after things got crazy.Super Bowl LVII oddsTEAMODDS (3/23)ODDS (2/15)Bills+700+750Buccaneers+750+2800Chiefs+1000+800Packers+1100+1300Rams+1200+110049ers+1300+1200Broncos+1600+2200Chargers+1600+2000Cowboys+1700+1400Browns+2000+4000Ravens+2200+2000Bengals+2200+1600Colts+2500+2800Titans+2800+2000Cardinals+3000+2500Dolphins+3300+5000Patriots+3300+2500Raiders+4000+5000Vikings+4000+3300Saints+4000+4000Eagles+4000+3300Steelers+7000+5000Commanders+7000+5000Bears+8000+6600Giants+8000+6600Panthers+10000+5000Jaguars+10000+10000Seahawks+10000+3300Falcons+15000+5000Lions+15000+12500Texans+17500+15000Jets+17500+10000We'll start from the bottom as it comes as no surprise the Panthers', Seahawks', and Falcons' odds have plummeted as they appear to have missed out on getting a legitimate starting quarterback for 2022.Amazingly, Washington made a quarterback move at a price - trade capital and contract - that would make you think they've found gold. However, its odds have lengthened in a way that suggests Carson Wentz isn't the answer.Gobbling up those teams' win probability are Tampa Bay, Denver, and Cleveland. Each of those clubs either added or re-added a top-tier signal-caller. The Chargers' and Dolphins' odds have shortened without doing anything at the quarterback position. This can be attributed to sharp bookmakers and/or bettors liking what each team has done to support the incumbent QB.The Chargers added Khalil Mack, Sebastian Joseph-Day, and J.C. Jackson to fill holes on defense so that their team success doesn't fall solely on Justin Herbert's shoulders this season. The Dolphins brought in Tyreek Hill and Terron Armstead to help Tua Tagovailoa reach his potential.If your sportsbook is slow to adjust the squads that improve without the splashy moves, then it's time to pounce on Miami. While that sounds unlikely, I'll take this time to remind you that the Bengals survived the AFC gauntlet and are your defending conference champion.This brings us to our last point. The Browns controversially splashed, the Colts have a short-term upgrade at quarterback, and the AFC West appears to be playing on its own planet next season. However, Cincinnati's odds lengthened to 22-1 in the last month.The Bengals went out of their way to address their biggest issue - the offensive line - on a team that had a fourth-quarter lead in last month's Super Bowl. Cincinnati rosters a star quarterback who isn't a candidate for suspension and hasn't lost his scariest weapon, but Joe Burrow and the Bengals are watching other clubs fly past them on the oddsboard. That, like the rest of the NFL offseason, raises an eyebrow.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.