NFL | theScore

The San Francisco 49ers are promoting defensive pass game specialist and nickel cornerbacks coach Nick Sorensen to defensive coordinator, sources told Adam Schefter and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.San Francisco will reportedly also add former Los Angeles Chargers bench boss Brandon Staley to their staff as assistant head coach.Sorensen will replace Steve Wilks, who was fired Feb. 14 following San Francisco's Super Bowl loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and after just one season.49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said he parted ways with Wilks because his scheme wasn't the "right fit" with San Francisco's players. Shanahan expressed a desire to return to the team's previous approach.Sorensen will lead that switch after spending the last two seasons with the 49ers. He was also the Seattle Seahawks' assistant defensive backs coach and secondary coach from 2013-20 and spent 2021 as Jacksonville Jaguars' special teams coach. He has never served as a defensive coordinator.Staley will bring an experienced voice to the 49ers' defensive staff. He was the Chargers' head coach from 2021-23 and led the Los Angeles Rams' defense in 2020.The 49ers reportedly attempted to land Kansas City Chiefs coordinator Steve Spagnuolo before he signed a new deal with the reigning champions.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans plans to hit free agency for the first time in his career, sources told The Athletic's Dianna Russini.Evans and the Bucs are engaged in contract talks, but the five-time Pro Bowler wants to explore all of his options, Russini reports.Evans has been with Tampa Bay since being drafted seventh overall by the club in 2014. The veteran is the first receiver in league history to post 1,000 yards in each of his first 10 seasons.The 30-year-old completed a five-year extension worth $82.5 million signed in 2018. Evans and the Bucs couldn't agree on a long-term deal prior to the 2023 campaign, and the sides agreed to table extension discussions until after the season.Evans recorded 79 catches for 1,255 yards and tied Tyreek Hill with a league-high 13 touchdowns in 2023.General manager Jason Licht highlighted re-signing Evans as a priority earlier this week, saying, "We want him to be a Buc for life."Tampa Bay reportedly wants to retain Evans and quarterback Baker Mayfield, with both scheduled to become unrestricted free agents on March 13. Antoine Winfield, Devin White, and Lavonte David are also among several Bucs starters expected to hit the open market.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Former New York Jets wideout Mecole Hardman vehemently denied leaking the team's game plan to opponents.Members within the Jets organization suspect Hardman leaked their offensive game plan before matchups against the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs last season, according to SNY's Connor Hughes."There were false accusations made about me and my character," Hardman posted on X. "To set the record straight, I have never and would never leak game plans to another team. I have never been a person to give an opponent an upper hand. I always want to win no matter the circumstances."Current Jets players Sauce Gardner and Kenny Yeboah took umbrage with criticism from Hardman regarding the team's culture in an appearance on "The Pivot" podcast this week."(Hardman) is tripping out. We ain't (going to) talk about how our offensive game plan got leaked versus the Eagles, (though)," Gardner wrote in a since-deleted post on X, per ESPN's Rich Cimini.Hardman said he contacted Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and general manager Brett Veach to "Come get me" while with the Jets. The veteran wideout, who captured his third Super Bowl title with Kansas City after being traded by New York in October, denied contacting the Chiefs before being dealt.Jets general manager Joe Douglas said that Hardman's comments "definitely resonated with us" as speculation ramped up regarding whether the team would investigate tampering by the Chiefs.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Giants tight end Darren Waller is considering retirement, according to Paul Schwartz and Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post.Waller reportedly expressed to individuals in the Giants organization that he was contemplating retirement after the end of the 2023 season.The Giants were optimistic about Waller returning to the club for a second season after speaking with his agent, Drew Rosenhaus. However, it appears the former Pro Bowler hasn't made a final decision."I have not made a decision either way," Waller told Schwartz and Dunleavy.The veteran tight end has a $14.1-million cap hit for the 2024 season.Waller endured a difficult campaign, missing five games due to a hamstring injury and contending with subpar quarterback play. He caught 52 passes for 552 yards and one touchdown. His receiving yardage ranked second on the team, trailing only Darius Slayton (770 yards).Waller joined the Giants from the Las Vegas Raiders prior to the 2023 campaign.The 31-year-old, who also suffered hamstring injuries during his time with the Raiders, is seeking his first 1,000-yard campaign since 2020.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New England Patriots announced Friday they released cornerback J.C. Jackson.New England will free up $14.4 million in cap space by cutting the veteran defensive back, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. The Patriots are now projected to have the most cap space ahead of the new league year with $101.6 million, per Over the Cap.Jackson spent close to five seasons over two stints with the Patriots. He left the organization as a free agent in 2022 after signing a five-year, $82.5-million contract with the Los Angeles Chargers. The former Maryland star played his first four NFL campaigns (2018-21) with New England.Jackson gradually evolved into a reliable piece of the Patriots' secondary. His best season came in 2021 when he led the league with 23 passes defended along with eight interceptions to earn the only Pro Bowl nod of his career.He ultimately played just seven games with the Chargers after sustaining a patellar tendon injury that prematurely ended his 2022 campaign. Jackson started the first two contests of the 2023 season for Los Angeles but soon found himself out of the starting rotation.New England reacquired the 28-year-old in a trade with the Chargers on Oct. 4. Jackson played in eight games and made six starts in his second stint last season. He recorded 25 tackles and six passes defended in his return to the Patriots.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Washington Commanders announced Friday they released tight end Logan Thomas and offensive tackle Charles Leno.Cutting Thomas provides the Commanders with $6.5 million in cap savings, according to Over The Cap. Leno's release brings another $7.3 million in cap savings.Thomas played the last four seasons for Washington, totaling 1,685 yards and 14 touchdowns. His best year came in 2020 - his first campaign with the team - when he recorded 670 yards and six scores.His final year in Washington saw him haul in 55 throws for 496 yards and four touchdowns.Meanwhile, Leno spent the last three years with the Commanders. He started all 47 games he appeared in.Washington is also expected to cut center Nick Gates at the start of the new league year, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter. The 28-year-old offensive lineman signed a three-year, $16.5-million contract last March. He made 10 starts in 13 games in 2023.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Philadelphia Eagles are releasing safety Kevin Byard, the team announced Friday.Philadelphia acquired Byard from the Tennessee Titans in October 2023 in exchange for 2024 fifth- and sixth-round picks plus Terrell Edmunds.Byard suited up in 10 games for the Eagles in 2023, recording one interception and 75 tackles.The move gives the Eagles just over $13 million in cap savings, according to Over The Cap.A two-time Pro Bowler, Byard has 28 interceptions over his career, including a league-high eight in 2017.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Former Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins sustained a hip flexor injury during his 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Wiggins said he felt his groin "pop" as he was running, per Stacey Dales during the NFL Network broadcast. He won't participate in the remainder of the event's drills, according to Rapoport.Despite the injury, Wiggins posted a 4.28-second 40-yard dash time - the fastest of any player at the combine thus far.

Potential No. 1 pick Caleb Williams says he isn't concerned with the Chicago Bears' lack of recent success at the quarterback position."I don't compare myself to other guys," Williams said Friday at the NFL Scouting Combine, according to NBC Chicago's Josh Schrock.Williams added, "I like to rewrite history."Chicago has struggled to find a long-term franchise quarterback with former first-round pick Justin Fields appearing to be the latest failed project. The Bears, who hold the first selection in the 2024 draft, would be expected to trade Fields if they intend to select Williams.The USC product reiterated Friday that he would be happy to play for the NFC North team."The Bears were 7-10 last year, and that's pretty good for a team with the No. 1 pick," Williams said, according to ESPN's Stephen Holder."It's pretty exciting if you can go to a situation like that," he added.Asked what type of player the Bears would receive if they selected him, Williams highlighted his leadership qualities and competitive nature."A person that cares for his teammates," the standout prospect explained, per Courtney Cronin of ESPN. "Some of y'all may have seen, some of y'all may have not. I try to take care of all my guys no matter if you've been fourth on the depth chart or you're the star player. So, I care for my teammates, and the other part is I'm a fierce competitor as you may have seen after some games."Williams previously decided he won't throw at the NFL combine and announced Friday he won't participate in medicals either. Instead, he said he would do medicals only with the teams he visits later in the pre-draft process, according to Adam Jahns of The Athletic.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL's last 16-game regular season produced an aerial assault. In 2020, offenses combined to pass for 871 touchdowns as quarterbacks and their playmakers shredded coverage schemes.The longer, listless 2023 season produced 754 passing scores. Teams would've needed to play 20 games apiece to beat the 2020 total.Signs suggest that quarterback play is slipping. Tua Tagovailoa's 4,624 passing yards were the fewest by the league leader since 2017. The average passer rating (89.0) also hit a six-year low. Collectively, QBs threw for the fewest net yards per attempt (6.04) since 2006, partly because they were sacked on the greatest share of dropbacks (7.1%) since 1998, per Pro Football Reference.Few quarterbacks were dominant last season. An egregious number of them, visualized in red below, struggled to move the ball upfield.Their stagnancy contrasts with how the position is compensated. QB play has plateaued, but the pay's rising.There are 15 NFL quarterbacks - more than can fit in the postseason field - who earn at least $35 million annually. Only nine passers were in this cohort a year ago. The league's top earner at any other position, 49ers edge rusher Nick Bosa, commands an annual average of $34 million.The QB salary chasm is widening. Just four QB contracts - those belonging to Jared Goff, Geno Smith, Jimmy Garoppolo, and Jordan Love - are valued between $10 million and $35 million. The middle class will thin if the Raiders release Garoppolo in March, as expected, and Goff and Love proceed to ink lucrative extensions.In baseball's version of this trend, superstars make bank while lesser veterans get squeezed. A growing share of MLB players haven't amassed the service time to be eligible for arbitration, theScore's Travis Sawchik noted recently. There are more young players around the majors who earn less, like NFLers on cost-controlled rookie deals, and fewer dollars being lavished on free agents.The dynamic at quarterback differs. Functional vets - guys who've impressed in the past and could conceivably lead future playoff runs - have secured the bag at an unprecedented rate. Front offices that seek stability under center are enriching elite talents, occasional MVP contenders, grizzled trade acquisitions, and one-year wonders. In any given season, some inevitably will disappoint.Regardless, the going rate for solid production has ballooned. That could benefit Kirk Cousins and Baker Mayfield when free agency opens March 11. Nick Wosika / Icon Sportswire / Getty ImagesCousins is rehabbing an Achilles tear and turns 36 in August, but he's considered the top offensive free agent in the class. His reputation grew in 2023. Over eight Vikings games, Cousins threw at a 4,954-yard pace with a 69.5% completion rate and an 18-to-5 TD-to-INT ratio. Dak Prescott was the only starter who boasted a higher on-target throw rate (Cousins' was 82.2%) and a superior bad-throw rate (12.8%), per Pro Football Reference.Cousins' annual market value is $39.3 million, Spotrac projects. Competition between possible suitors, be it the Vikings or QB-needy playoff hopefuls like the Falcons or Steelers, could drive up the average cost.

The New Orleans Saints have told safety Marcus Maye that he'll be released at the start of the new league year March 13, sources told Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report.The 30-year-old has been with the Saints since he signed a three-year, $22.5-million deal in 2022. He spent the first five years of his career with the New York Jets after being selected in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft.Maye battled availability issues with New Orleans. He received a three-game suspension in September for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy and missed the final three contests of 2023 due to a shoulder injury. Maye only played 17 games in two years with the Saints.New Orleans will save $7.235 million in cap space by designating Maye as a post-June 1 release, according to Over The Cap.Maye has 409 tackles and 28 passes defended in 77 career contests.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Minnesota Vikings told running back Alexander Mattison that they plan to release him, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN.Mattison has been with the Vikings since they selected him in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He signed a two-year, $7-million deal with the club last offseason.The 25-year-old took over the starting job in 2023 after the team released veteran running back Dalvin Cook.Mattison struggled in the starter role, averaging only 3.9 yards per carry on 180 attempts. He never eclipsed 100 rushing yards in a single contest and tallied zero rushing scores. Minnesota's offense ranked 29th in yards per carry in 2023.The Boise State product has 2,370 rushing yards in 75 career contests.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan remains confident that quarterback Kenny Pickett has a bright future."I have full faith in Kenny," Khan told reporters Thursday, including ESPN's Brooke Pryor. "He's shown us some good things, and, obviously, there were some issues with the offense."The 2022 first-round pick failed to take a leap in 2023 after showing flashes of promise during his rookie campaign. He threw for 2,070 yards, six touchdowns, and four interceptions, along with a 62% completion rate, in 2023. Pickett played just 12 games due to an ankle injury and lost his starting job to Mason Rudolph after being cleared to return to action ahead of Week 17.Pickett has posted a 14-10 record as a starter while recording 4,474 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, 13 interceptions, and a 78.8 quarterback rating through his first two seasons.However, Khan is optimistic that new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith will benefit both Pickett and the Steelers' offense."I'm excited about the impact that Arthur Smith's going to have on him," Khan said. "Arthur's very optimistic about Kenny. ... Feel really good about him."Pickett is Pittsburgh's only passer under contract with Rudolph an unrestricted free agent and Mitch Trubisky being released earlier this month. Yet Khan echoed head coach Mike Tomlin and his wish to bring in competition for the starting position."(I) feel really good about Kenny, but he knows, and we all know, that there's going to be competition in the room," Khan said, according to team reporter Dale Lolley. "We've always been a team that keeps three quarterbacks, and I'd expect that to be the same this year."Khan expressed a desire to bring back Rudolph, but he wouldn't say whether the Steelers could target passers such as Justin Fields or Russell Wilson, per Pryor."I have an obligation to look at every avenue that's out there to try to make us a better football team," he said.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

There's "growing optimism" that the Kansas City Chiefs will re-sign star defensive tackle Chris Jones before free agency opens, sources told Nate Taylor and Dianna Russini of The Athletic.Jones is looking for an annual salary of $30 million, Taylor and Russini add. San Francisco 49ers edge rusher Nick Bosa and Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald are the only defensive players who currently make more than $30 million per season.Unrestricted free agents can begin negotiating with teams on March 11.Chiefs general manager Brett Veach reiterated Tuesday at the NFL combine that re-signing Jones is a top priority for the organization."I love Chris (Jones)," Veach said, per Mark Puleo of The Athletic. "Tried really hard to get something done, and we didn't, but when we got together right after that Detroit game, we had a great talk.Both parties, I think, want to be here, so we'll get to work. That's certainly a guy we want back and love and want to see him finish his career here in Kansas City."Jones held out of training camp and the season opener against the Detroit Lions due to his contract situation. He ultimately agreed to a one-year deal with incentives worth up to $25 million.The 29-year-old had another tremendous campaign in 2023, totaling 10.5 sacks and 91 pressures, per PFF. Jones was a key contributor to a Chiefs defense that ranked second in points allowed per contest.Jones has 273 tackles and 75.5 sacks in 123 career games.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley has targeted the Houston Texans as his top free-agent destination, sources told Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2.Barkley has been in communication with Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, Wilson reports.The 27-year-old is slated to be the top free-agent running back this offseason. The class also includes the likes of Josh Jacobs, Derrick Henry, and Austin Ekeler, among others.New York franchise tagged Barkley last year but reportedly is not expected to tag him again. However, general manager Joe Schoen didn't rule it out earlier this week.A two-time Pro Bowler, Barkley would boost a Texans ground attack that failed to produce a 1,000-yard rusher in 2023. Devin Singletary led the team with 898 yards after Dameon Pierce struggled in his second season, averaging just 2.9 yards per carry.Barkley rushed for 962 yards and totaled 1,242 yards from scrimmage last year. He's one year removed from a career-high 1,312 yards on the ground.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Detroit Lions are scheduled to meet with wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown's representatives later this week to talk about an extension, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.No deal is imminent despite the club's interest in retaining St. Brown, Birkett adds.The 24-year-old is eligible for a contract extension as he enters the final year of his rookie deal. He's slated to earn roughly $3.4 million this season, according to Over the Cap.St. Brown was selected No. 112 overall in the 2021 draft and led the Lions in every major receiving category last season, tallying 119 receptions, 1,515 yards, and 10 touchdowns. He earned a first-team All-Pro nod for the first time in his career in 2023.An extension will likely come with an average annual value between $25 million and $30 million. Miami Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill is currently the league's highest-paid wideout with an average value of $30 million per season, while 14 different receivers have deals worth $20 million per year or more, per Over the Cap.St. Brown reached at least 90 receptions and 900 yards in each of his first three campaigns. The USC product has totaled 3,588 yards and 21 touchdowns on 315 catches in 49 career games.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Super Bowl LVIII game coin used to determine whether the Kansas City Chiefs or San Francisco 49ers would receive the ball first in overtime fetched over $26,000 in an online auction.Bidding on the coin started at $800 and had reached $26,300 when the auction came to a close Wednesday, with proceeds from the sale supporting the Luna Strong's Maui relief efforts, according to the NFL Auction website.The Chiefs' and 49ers' logos appear on one side of the coin, while the other side features the Super Bowl LVIII logo and commissioner Roger Goodell's signature.

The New England Patriots are planning to draft a quarterback with the No. 3 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, sources told Karen Guregian and Mark Daniels of Mass Live.New England reportedly also intends to bring in a veteran signal-caller who could potentially be the starter to begin 2024, allowing the new rookie time to adjust to the NFL level.The Patriots' plan will likely mean the end of Mac Jones' time with the team, adds Guregian and Daniels. The 2021 first-round pick struggled over the last two seasons following a solid rookie year and could be a trade candidate.Former USC star Caleb Williams is the odds-on favorite to go No. 1 overall to the Chicago Bears, leaving North Carolina's Drake Maye and LSU's Jayden Daniels as the remaining top quarterback prospects.The Commanders are also in the market for a quarterback, so New England seems to be in line to draft whichever passer Washington doesn't select."If the team selects Daniels or Maye and deems them ready, the rookie would start," wrote Guregian and Daniels. "But this is a process that this new Patriots brass isn't going to rush."New England is beginning a new era with head coach Jerod Mayo replacing the legendary Bill Belichick, while Eliot Wolf is running the personnel department, which Belichick previously oversaw.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Jets aren't pleased with Mecole Hardman.After the receiver ripped his former team on "The Pivot" podcast, Jets general manager Joe Douglas said his comments "definitely resonated with us," according to ESPN's Rich Cimini."I'll just say, we were excited to sign Mecole," Douglas added. "He was excited to, obviously, join our team. Xavier Gipson really came on for us this year. ... So, ultimately, we made a decision to move on from Mecole ... he was excited to be here, and it just didn't work out. And a lot of that has to do with Xavier."Jets punter Thomas Morstead was far more blunt."Be careful getting information from disgruntled former employees," he said on X. "Getting beat out by a rookie free agent after being guaranteed millions of dollars is tough to deal with. Entitlement is a killer of opportunity. You have to earn it every year."Hardman criticized the team's culture and lack of an offensive game plan Tuesday, saying the Jets have "no standard there." He recorded just one reception on three targets for six yards in five games with the club after signing a one-year, $4-million deal last spring. New York traded him to the Chiefs in October.Hardman also pointed to a dispute between himself and special teams coordinator Brant Boyer as an additional source of frustration while in New York."I was so checked out. ... I already talked to (Chiefs GM Brett) Veach, Pat (Mahomes), like, 'Come get me,'" Hardman said Tuesday.That comment, in particular, created a stir on social media as teams aren't permitted to have contact with another team's players or coaches. Hardman clarified that he didn't have discussions with the Chiefs prior to being dealt.

Kansas City Chiefs superfan Xavier Babudar, better known as "ChiefsAholic," pleaded guilty in federal court on Wednesday to charges stemming from 11 robberies or attempted robberies that occurred across seven states.Babudar pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering, one count of transporting stolen property across state lines, and one count of bank robbery, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Missouri.The 29-year-old also admitted to engaging in a string of nine other bank and credit union robberies or attempted robberies, as well as two bank robberies committed while he was on the run from authorities in 2023."His violent crime spree across the Midwest and beyond traumatized bank employees and victimized financial institutions in seven states," U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore said. "The defendant tried to conceal hundreds of thousands of dollars in stolen cash by using it to gamble online and at casinos, but the odds caught up with him. With today's conviction, he will be held accountable for the full scope of his criminal conduct, including his attempt to flee from justice."As part of his plea agreement, Babudar must pay a minimum of $532,675 in restitution and forfeit any property involved in his money laundering activity to the government, including an autographed painting of Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.Babudar was initially arrested in December 2022 in connection with an armed robbery at the Tulsa Teachers Credit Union in Bixby, Oklahoma. He was released on bond but allegedly cut off his ankle monitor and was on the run for four months before he was eventually arrested in California.He's scheduled to appear in court for a sentencing hearing on July 10. Babudar faces up to 50 years in prison without parole.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. will be on the team's roster one way or another when next season starts, general manager Chris Ballard said Wednesday, according to Joel Erickson of the Indy Star.Pittman and the club are engaged in long-term extension talks, but the Colts can use the franchise tag if the sides can't agree to a deal, per the Indy Star's Nate Atkins. The wide receiver franchise tag is approximately $21.8 million for 2024 and the deadline to use it is March 5.The 26-year-old wideout is slated to hit free agency in March when his rookie contract expires.Pittman set career highs in receptions (109) and yardage (1,152) in 2023 despite quarterback Anthony Richardson missing the majority of the campaign. He also caught four touchdowns.The former second-round pick has totaled 336 receptions, 3,662 yards, and 15 scores in 62 career games. He posted at least 500 yards in each of his first four NFL seasons and led the Colts in receiving yards each of the last three seasons.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Jets officially granted quarterback Zach Wilson permission to seek a trade, general manager Joe Douglas said Wednesday, according to ESPN's Rich Cimini.The announcement coincides with a January report that indicated the Jets would move on from Wilson this offseason.Wilson started nine of the team's first 10 games in 2023, but he was benched following a Week 11 loss to the Buffalo Bills in which he completed seven of 15 passes for 81 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. He returned to the starting lineup for Weeks 13 and 14 out of necessity but finished the season on the sideline.The 24-year-old ended the campaign with 2,271 passing yards and eight touchdowns against seven interceptions. New York went 4-7 in his 11 starts.Wilson has struggled to produce consistently since the Jets selected him with the No. 2 pick in the 2021 draft. The BYU product has thrown for 6,293 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 25 picks in 34 appearances. He owns a 12-21 record as a starter.Aaron Rodgers and Wilson are the only signal-callers that New York currently has under contract for 2024.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFLPA released its second NFL Player Team Report Cards on Wednesday, intending to help players make career decisions and improve working conditions across the league.An impressive 1,706 players provided information that shaped the rankings with categories including treatment of families, food/cafeteria, nutritionist/dietician, locker room, training room, training staff, weight room, strength coaches, team travel, head coach, and ownership.A complete breakdown of each team's grades in each specific category can be found here.Here's how all 32 teams ranked:TeamReport Card RankDolphins1stVikings2ndPackers3rdEagles4thJaguars5th49ers6thTexans7thGiants8thRaiders9thBears10thBills11thCowboys12thLions13thSeahawks14thRavens15thBroncos16thPanthers17thTitans18thSaints19thRams20thJets21stColts22ndBrowns23rdBuccaneers24thFalcons25thBengals26thCardinals27thSteelers28thPatriots29thChargers30thChiefs31stCommanders32ndThe Miami Dolphins earned the highest overall grade, marking a slight increase from their second-place score in 2023. The Dolphins received no lower than an A- in each category, ranking first in food/cafeteria, training room, training staff, weight room, team travel, and ownership.Meanwhile, it's the second straight year the Washington Commanders wind up at the bottom of the league's report card. The team's facility was a major issue, as interviewed players criticized the locker room's small size and need for renovation after multiple sewage leaks were reported. The training room, training staff, treatment of families, and team travel also all received scores of F or F-.Odd Tidbits

The Bears and presumptive No. 1 pick Caleb Williams seem destined for one another, and the star quarterback has no issues with landing in Chicago despite speculation he'd prefer another NFL destination."If I get drafted by the Bears, I'll be excited," Williams told ESPN's Pete Thamel. "If they trade the pick, and I get drafted by someone else, I'm just as excited. Speaking about Chicago, they have a talented team, a talented offense and defense. For anyone to be in that situation, I think they'd be excited."Bears general manager Ryan Poles shrugged off the suggestion Tuesday that Williams could follow in the footsteps of Eli Manning, who refused to play for the then-San Diego Chargers, the owners of the No. 1 pick in 2004.The former USC standout also dismissed the rumors."I'm not pushing any agenda," Williams said. "At the end of the day, the Bears have the last say. Regardless of how I feel, I'm not pushing an agenda of, 'Yeah, I want to go. Or no, I don't want to go.' I'm excited for whatever comes."Poles said he remains in the process of deciding what to do with the first overall pick - which Chicago received from the Panthers as part of Carolina's trade up to the top selection last season - and current quarterback Justin Fields.The Bears are widely expected to select Williams, the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner and consensus top passer in the 2024 class, and trade Fields.Williams has reportedly opted not to throw at the NFL Scouting Combine and will instead work out for teams at his pro day on March 20.Top quarterbacks often decide against performing at the combine, with former No. 1 picks Bryce Young and Joe Burrow being the most recent examples.Though Williams won't participate in on-field work, he will meet with teams in Indianapolis and said he's excited for his "first date" with Chicago. He's also set to talk to the Washington Commanders, New England Patriots, Las Vegas Raiders, Atlanta Falcons, New York Jets, New York Giants, and Minnesota Vikings, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Kansas City Chiefs are releasing wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, a source told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.The reigning Super Bowl champs will save $12 million in cap space by moving on from the veteran, adds Fowler.Valdes-Scantling had one year remaining on the three-year, $30-million deal he signed with the Chiefs in free agency in 2022.The 29-year-old caught a career-high 42 passes for 687 yards and two touchdowns in his first season with the Chiefs. But his role diminished in 2023 amid struggles with drops, and he finished the campaign with just 21 catches for 315 yards and one score.The Chiefs are expected to revamp their receiving group for next season after the unit underperformed last year, except for standout rookie Rashee Rice.The move gives Kansas City more financial flexibility as it attempts to retain star defensive tackle Chris Jones and cornerback L'Jarius Sneed, who are both impending free agents.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Despite becoming a Super Bowl hero after rejoining the Kansas City Chiefs, veteran receiver Mecole Hardman still has a bad taste from his brief tenure with the New York Jets this season.During a recent appearance on the "The Pivot" podcast, Hardman criticized Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett's game plan after quarterback Aaron Rodgers suffered a season-ending injury in the first game of the 2023 campaign."I just feel like it's not an established coaching staff there," Hardman said. "You just got a new coaching staff that came in, and there's no standard there. Everybody do what they want to do. Granted, the defense has more of a stabilized standard with the coaching staff on that side. ... But the offense is just like, 'We'll just figure it out. It's Aaron's show. Let Aaron do what Aaron does.' Then, when Aaron goes down, it's like we don't know what to do."The Jets offense finished 29th in points per contest (15.8) and 31st in total yards (268.6) in 2023.Hardman highlighted the contrast between the Jets' and Chiefs' personnel, saying that Kansas City rosters far more selfless players despite having large personalities like Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Chris Jones. The fifth-year wideout added that New York had too many egos in its locker room.After spending four campaigns with the Chiefs, the 25-year-old signed a one-year, $4-million contract with the Jets as a free agent in March 2023. Hardman was expected to be a reliable weapon alongside Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard in a passing game featuring Rodgers under center. However, Rodgers' injury put New York's postseason ambition on uneven ground.Hardman recorded just one reception on three targets for six yards in five games with the Jets. He pointed to a dispute with special teams coordinator Brant Boyer as an additional source of frustration while in New York."I was so checked out. ... I already talked to (Chiefs GM Brett) Veach, Pat (Mahomes), like, 'Come get me,'" Hardman said.Kansas City reacquired Hardman via trade last October. The former Georgia star saved his best moment in his second stint with the Chiefs for Super Bowl LVIII. He made three catches for 58 yards and was on the receiving end of the game-winning touchdown to secure the third championship title of his career.Although Hardman is set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, he's already ruled out a reunion with New York as a possible outcome."No, I won't go back to the Jets," Hardman recently told NFL Network's Andrew Siciliano.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni believes quarterback Jalen Hurts will be a better player and an improved leader in 2024."Here's what I know about Jalen: Whatever we see that he needs to work on or he sees that he needs to work on, he's going to get better at that because he puts everything he has into it," Sirianni said Tuesday at the NFL combine, according to Tim McManus of ESPN.The Eagles lost six of their final seven games in 2023, including a 32-9 defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the wild-card round. Hurts was far from the player he had been earlier in the year during the seven-game slide, totaling only 1,611 yards with nine touchdowns and six turnovers.But Sirianni believes other factors contributed to the Eagles' collapse."It's not just Jalen, it's not just me; we had a fall-off as a team those last six weeks that we all need to get better from," Sirianni said, per McManus. "But Jalen's played some really outstanding football."Following the season, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reported that the Eagles would like Hurts to be a more "vocal leader" next year, as veterans Jason Kelce and Fletcher Cox will potentially be departing."There is not a book written on this is how you lead. People lead in different ways," Sirianni said at the combine. "One thing I learned early in leadership is you have to be yourself because if you're trying to be somebody you're not when you lead, that gets seen through."Philadelphia selected Hurts in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He was the franchise's starting quarterback the last three years, racking up a 33-14 record during that stretch with 12,852 total yards and 99 touchdowns.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Head coach Mike McDaniel is fairly confident the Miami Dolphins can agree to a long-term deal with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa ahead of the 2024 season."I'm very encouraged both Tua's representation and our organization are hard at work," McDaniel said Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine, according to the South Florida Sun Sentinel's David Furones.He added: "My main concern this offseason has been communicating what Tua needs from his head coach and his offensive coaching staff, which is what things can we identify to continue the progression of your game."Tagovailoa led the NFL with 4,694 passing yards and posted a career-high 29 touchdown passes last season to earn his first Pro Bowl nod.The former Alabama star managed to start all 17 games in 2023. However, injuries plagued his 2021 and 2022 campaigns, including multiple stints in the league's concussion protocol. McDaniel highlighted the signal-caller's ability to stay on the field this past season as a key factor in his development."My belief has always been strong - since Day 1 - in Tua. It's stronger than it was the first day I met him, and that's because of that relationship where I'm focused, which is continuing to provide the coaching so he can continue to evolve his game, as he has since the second that I started talking to him," McDaniel said.Tagovailoa is entering the final year of his contract after Miami picked up the fifth-year option of his rookie deal. A new pact for Tagovailoa would provide the Dolphins with much-needed flexibility since his full $23.17-million salary in 2024 will count toward the cap, per Over the Cap.Miami is currently $29 million over the cap and will need to be creative to get under $255.4 million ahead of the new league year that begins on March 13.Tagovailoa could become an unrestricted free agent in 2025 if the Dolphins don't use the franchise tag on him to retain his rights.The soon-to-be 26-year-old told reporters earlier in February that he believes he'll sign an extension with Miami this offseason. Tagovailoa is in line to receive a lucrative contract after leading the Dolphins to back-to-back postseason appearances over the last two years.Miami touts a 32-19 record with Tagovailoa as its starting quarterback. He's thrown for 12,639 yards, 81 touchdowns, and 37 interceptions in 53 career games.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Kansas City Chiefs told cornerback L'Jarius Sneed they are prepared to use the franchise tag on him, a source told Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.If the two sides cannot agree on a long-term extension, the Chiefs are reportedly open to trading the 27-year-old.Sneed is agreeable to this situation, Fowler reports. The cornerback can begin negotiating with other clubs with the possibility of returning to the Chiefs if a trade does not surface.The Louisiana Tech product is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent when the new league year opens in mid-March. The Chiefs selected him in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft.Sneed and star defensive tackle Chris Jones are the big names from the Chiefs' defense that are set to hit the open market. Jones was franchise tagged last year, so his 2024 tag price is much higher than the cornerback tag price of $19.8 million."You'd like to be able to tag all the guys and pay all the guys," Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said Tuesday, per Mark Puleo of The Athletic."It's tough because the more you win, the more you've got to pay players, and obviously when you have this amount of success, you're paying a lot of players a lot of money, and then it's equally as tough because you're drafting late."Sneed has been a key contributor for the Chiefs in the last three years and is coming off his best season as a pro. He had 78 tackles and 14 passes defended in 16 regular-season starts and was one of the best cornerbacks in the league.In 2019, the Chiefs traded defensive end Dee Ford to the San Francisco 49ers for a second-round pick after placing the franchise tag on him.Kansas City has $16.9 million in cap space, according to Over The Cap.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Atlanta Falcons are cutting tight end Jonnu Smith after one season, the team announced Tuesday.The Falcons will save $6.5 million in cap space by releasing Smith, per Over the Cap."Thankful to have had the opportunity to be a part of an amazing organization," Smith posted on X. "This season will be one of the most memorable years during my career for many great reasons on and off the field. Special locker room and special people all throughout the building."Smith tallied a career-high 582 yards on 50 catches in 2023 and also hauled in three touchdowns. The veteran tight end was traded from the New England Patriots to the Falcons last offseason. He spent two seasons with New England after striking a four-year, $50-million deal with the franchise in free agency in 2021. However, he caught just one touchdown and put up only 539 yards over his two years with the AFC East team.In Atlanta, he reunited with then-head coach Arthur Smith, who had been his position coach and then his offensive coordinator with the Tennessee Titans, the franchise where his career started.A third-round pick in 2017, Smith has recorded 2,423 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns over his career, including a personal-best eight scores in 2020.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are intent on doing whatever it takes to ensure franchise legend Mike Evans never suits up for another NFL team."He's an unprecedented player. We want him to be a Buc for life. We're working towards that," general manager Jason Licht said Tuesday at the NFL combine, according to ESPN's Jenna Laine. "Obviously it takes two sides. I know he wants to be a Buc. We'll probably have to strain a little bit but we're working towards that right now."The Bucs and the star receiver weren't able to come to terms on a deal before last season. Evans opted to table talks and was frustrated that Tampa Bay never put forward an offer, sources told Laine.The franchise tag is unlikely to be an option to retain Evans, who recorded his 10th straight 1,000-yard campaign and caught an NFL-high 13 touchdowns in 2023.Evans' one-year tender would cost $28.4 million, and the NFC South club might need to use it to keep other key impending free agents in quarterback Baker Mayfield and All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield.Licht acknowledged there's a possibility that Evans tests free agency, with the negotiation window beginning March 11."Well, I mean there's always a chance," the GM said. "But we're going to do whatever we can to make sure that he's a Buc."Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Sean McDermott believes it's inevitable that the Buffalo Bills will finally win their first Super Bowl."It's not a matter of if. It's just a matter of when," the Bills coach said, according to The Athletic's Tim Graham. "That is the relentless pursuit."Buffalo's been reinvigorated under McDermott, becoming one of the NFL's most consistent franchises during his seven-year reign. The Bills have won four straight AFC East titles, had two 13-win seasons, and produced four top-five offenses.However, Buffalo has continuously fallen short in the playoffs, frequently a victim of the Kansas City Chiefs dynasty.McDermott's club lost to the Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game during the 2020 season and then again in 2021 and this past season in divisional-round matchups. Buffalo was also defeated by the Cincinnati Bengals in the divisional round in 2022."The only thing left to do for us at this point is win an AFC championship and win a Super Bowl, which is pretty darn good," said McDermott. "There's not too many organizations that can say that over the last seven years. We've done everything else you can do, and that is what gets us out of bed in the morning."The AFC East club is facing a tough task to keep together its contending core in 2024. Buffalo is currently projected to be $41.3 million over the salary cap for next season - the worst mark in the league, according to Spotrac.The Bills are one of 12 NFL teams who've never raised the Lombardi Trophy. Buffalo famously lost four straight Super Bowls in the 1990s.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Las Vegas Raiders general manager Tom Telesco shut down speculation about Davante Adams being traded this offseason amid rumors that he could be courted by the New York Jets."He's a Raider," Telesco told reporters Tuesday at the NFL combine in Indianapolis, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.It was reported earlier this month that Aaron Rodgers, Adams' former teammate, was trying to recruit the wideout to the Jets. New York has repeatedly been linked to Adams, with the team's reported attempts at last season's trade deadline rebuffed.Adams is under contract with Las Vegas through 2026. The six-time Pro Bowler recorded 1,516 yards in his first campaign with the Raiders before accumulating 1,144 yards in 2023. His 14 receiving touchdowns in 2022 led the league.Telesco, who was made general manager this offseason, also addressed the future of star running back Josh Jacobs, who's slated to be a free agent."We're going to explore pretty hard and see if we can bring him back," Telesco said, according to Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.Though Jacobs was franchise-tagged last year, Telesco said he doesn't envision the front office utilizing the tag again this offseason, per NFL Network's Andrew Siciliano.Las Vegas went 8-9 in 2023, though it finished 5-4 under Antonio Pierce, who's now the team's full-time head coach.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Justin Jefferson remains without a new contract, but Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah insisted Tuesday the star wide receiver will remain in Minnesota and that a trade isn't an option."That is not something that's once crossed my mind," said Adofo-Mensah, according to Kevin Seifert of ESPN. "You got a blue(-chip) player, a blue(-chip) person, you try to keep as many of those as you can."With negotiations for what's expected to be a market-resetting deal seemingly stalled, speculation has run rampant about why the two sides haven't reached a deal.Adofo-Mensah said at the NFL Scouting Combine that much of what he has heard about their negotiations is "completely false." He added that they got "unbelievably close" to a deal last summer.Tyreek Hill currently tops all wideouts with an average salary of $30 million on a deal signed in March 2022 upon his trade from the Kansas City Chiefs to the Miami Dolphins.Another benchmark for Jefferson could be the title of highest-paid non-quarterback, currently held by San Francisco 49ers pass-rusher Nick Bosa and his $34-million annual salary.Jefferson - who has one year remaining on his rookie contract - won Offensive Player of the Year in 2022 after leading the NFL with 128 catches for 1,809 yards and eight touchdowns.The 24-year-old missed seven games in 2023 but still produced over 1,000 yards. He also improved on his per-game marks from his career year in 2022, averaging 107.4 yards per contest and 15.8 yards per catch compared to 106.4 and 14.1.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Improving the offense will be one of the New England Patriots' biggest priorities this offseason, according to director of scouting Eliot Wolf."We need to weaponize the offense," Wolf told reporters Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine, according to Alex Barth of 98.5 The Sports Hub.Wolf, who has assumed a greater role in personnel decisions after Bill Belichick's departure, added that getting faster and more explosive on defense was another area of focus.The Patriots hold the No. 3 pick in the 2024 draft and could be in a position to land a top quarterback prospect. However, Wolf didn't get into details when asked about the team's preferences."I'd say there's a lot of options on the table," Wolf said, according to Myles Simmons of ProFootballTalk. I'm glad you asked about Mac (Jones) and Bailey (Zappe) - we're not going to be a program that's talking about these guys in terms of through the media."New England's offense ranked 31st in scoring in 2023, averaging 13.9 points per game as Jones and Zappe struggled under center.Jones made the Pro Bowl in his rookie campaign in 2021 but has regressed over the last two seasons with 24 touchdowns to 23 interceptions. Wolf says Jones has provided valuable lessons to the franchise."The main thing is just trying to do everything we can to support that person once they get in the building," Wolf said, per MassLive's Mark Daniels. "We're going to make the best decision we can in terms of who that person is - if we decide to go quarterback at (No. 3)."The Patriots will meet with top quarterback prospects Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and Jayden Daniels at the NFL combine, Wolf added, per Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles isn't worried about Caleb Williams pulling an Eli Manning.Poles shrugged off the notion that Williams doesn't want to play for the Bears, who own the No. 1 pick, during his press conference Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine."No concerns about that at all," said Poles. "I would love to know why if that was the case. ... I think, as a young quarterback - and I've been around it - infrastructure is important."And I think we've made really good progress in terms of having (a) really good infrastructure for whoever were to come in or if Justin (Fields) were to stay here."Manning infamously refused to play for the then-San Diego Chargers - who held the No. 1 pick in the 2004 draft - and forced a move to the New York Giants.Poles said he's still in the process of deciding what to do with the top overall selection and current quarterback Fields."Contrary to reports out there, I have no master plan to present everyone today," he said. "This is an opportunity for us to continue to gather information, learn about the different players in the draft, listen to what opportunities could come up, and then ... make the best decision that we can for the Chicago Bears."Poles said if the Bears do ultimately draft a quarterback and trade Fields, they'd want to "do right" by him and be transparent with the process.Chicago would reportedly demand a historic offer to trade the No. 1 pick. Williams is widely viewed as the top quarterback in the class and one of the best prospects of the last decade.

Bill Belichick could be pursuing a new career path after parting ways with the New England Patriots.Belichick's son, former Patriots assistant Steve Belichick, provided an update on his father during a recent appearance on the "Green Light" podcast, saying he's been in good spirits since leaving New England. Steve also revealed that his dad has been eyeing a possible job in television."Yeah, I think he's good," Steve said. "Let the stuff roll off your back and move forward. He doesn't dwell unless we lost a game and he needs to get on some guys but, you know, eventually, you gotta turn the page. Honestly, I wasn't too involved in any of that stuff - he did his thing, I did my thing, and that was kind of that."He's definitely pursuing some other stuff, whether it's TV or hopefully a regular on 'Green Light' or whatever it may be."The elder Belichick, who spent 24 seasons with the Patriots, interviewed for the Atlanta Falcons' head coaching job in January but was passed over in favor of former Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris.Steve was recently hired by Washington to be the Huskies' new defensive coordinator.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen still sees a future with Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley serving as key pieces of the team's offense.Schoen told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine on Tuesday that he still has faith in Jones as the Giants' starting quarterback, according to team reporter Dan Salomone.Jones' 2023 campaign was cut short due to a torn ACL suffered in November, but Schoen says the signal-caller is progressing well. He's already throwing from a stationary position and should be ready for the start of training camp, Schoen added.As for Barkley, who's set to become an unrestricted free agent, Schoen noted that the franchise tag is not "off the table," according to NFL Network's Andrew Siciliano.Schoen and the running back's agent are slated to talk this week at the combine."There's nothing new on that front," the executive said. "He's a guy we'd like to have back."It's the second straight offseason that the futures of the quarterback and running back have come into question.The Giants franchise-tagged Barkley last summer, but the parties couldn't agree on a long-term deal. The two-time Pro Bowler previously talked about playing his entire career for the NFC East franchise but also said the business side of the NFL opened his mind up to the possibility of playing elsewhere.Jones was signed to a four-year, $160-million extension last offseason but struggled in 2023. He threw just two touchdowns to six interceptions across six starts.Jones and Tommy DeVito are the only quarterbacks under contract for 2024. Schoen has discussed adding another signal-caller ahead of the upcoming campaign, with Tyrod Taylor slated to hit free agency.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have released two-time Pro Bowl pass-rusher Shaquil Barrett, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter."Shaq has been great for us over the last 5 years, but these tough decisions have to be made," Bucs head coach Todd Bowles said about Barrett on NFL Network, according to Rick Stroud of Tampa Bay Times. "Who knows? We'll see what happens down the line."Barrett was released before he was due a $15.04-million option in March, Schefter adds.The former Pro Bowler was integral to the Tampa Bay team that won Super Bowl LV. He recorded eight sacks in the 2020 regular season and pitched in four sacks during the postseason during the team's Super Bowl run.Barrett's best season in Tampa Bay came in 2019 when he registered a league-leading 19.5 sacks.His play faltered in recent seasons as he only recorded 4.5 sacks in 2023 and three in 2022, though he was limited to eight games.Barrett played the first four years of his career with the Denver Broncos and was part of the roster that won Super Bowl 50.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Jets are releasing guard Laken Tomlinson, a source told Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.New York will free up around $8.1 million in cap space with the move, Fowler adds. The Duke product was set to carry an $18.8-million cap hit in 2024, according to Spotrac.Tomlinson appeared in all 34 games for the Jets after signing a three-year, $40-million deal with them in 2022. He had spent the previous five years with the San Francisco 49ers before hitting free agency.The 32-year-old struggled in 2023, allowing a team-worst 51 pressures and seven sacks, according to PFF. However, New York's offensive line had a disappointing season, ranking 28th in sacks allowed per contest.Tomlinson has started 114 straight NFL games. He's now free to sign with any team and doesn't have to wait until free agency opens in March.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The San Francisco 49ers interviewed Brandon Staley for their vacant defensive coordinator job, head coach Kyle Shanahan told Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports.The franchise also spoke with their defensive passing game specialist, Nick Sorensen, for the role, while 49ers defensive backs coach Daniel Bullocks is expected to interview for the position this week, Shanahan added.The Los Angeles Chargers fired Staley following a 63-21 loss in Week 15 against the Las Vegas Raiders. The 41-year-old finished his tenure with the Chargers losing five of his last six contests. He compiled a 24-24 regular-season record and an 0-1 record in the postseason.The Chargers hired Staley after he enjoyed a tremendous 2020 campaign as the Los Angeles Rams' defensive coordinator. The Rams finished second in points per game and defensive success rate en route to a spot in the NFC divisional round.However, Staley's defensive success with the Rams did not translate to the Chargers, who ranked 27th in EPA/play from 2021-2023.Sorensen, meanwhile, was hired by Shanahan as a defensive assistant in 2022 after spending the 2021 season as the Jacksonville Jaguars' special teams coordinator. He played 10 seasons in the NFL as a defensive back with the Rams, Jaguars, and Cleveland Browns.The 49ers are likely to interview two other coaches from outside the team later in the week, per Maiocco. San Francisco fired Steve Wilks a few days after their Super Bowl loss against the Kansas City Chiefs. The 49ers' defensive coordinator job is the only vacant coordinator role in the NFL.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A host of star impending free-agent running backs could hit the open market.The New York Giants' Saquon Barkley, Las Vegas Raiders' Josh Jacobs, and Dallas Cowboys' Tony Pollard aren't expected to receive the franchise tag for a second straight season, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.However, both the Giants and Raiders will reportedly attempt to re-sign their Pro Bowl players.The Tennessee Titans also won't use their tag on Derrick Henry, while the Los Angeles Chargers will allow Austin Ekeler to test free agency, adds Schefter.Barkley and Jacobs both signed one-year deals with extra incentives to avoid playing on the tag last season. Pollard, meanwhile, did play on the tag. Using the one-year tender again on Jacobs would cost $14.15 million, while placing it on Barkley or Pollard would cost $12.1 million.It was widely expected that Henry would at least test the open market before deciding his future. The perennial All-Pro seemingly bid farewell to Tennessee after the final game of the regular season.All five running backs saw their production decline last season.2022 rush yards/TDs2023 rush yards/TDsSaquon Barkley1312/10962/6Josh Jacobs1653*/12805/6Tony Pollard1007/91005/6Derrick Henry1538/131167/12Austin Ekeler915/13628/5*Led NFLRunning backs have struggled to secure big-money contracts in recent years. Only four running backs earn more than $12 million per season on long-term deals, with reigning Offensive Player of the Year Christian McCaffrey topping the market at $16 million annually.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Top wide receiver prospect Marvin Harrison Jr. isn't expected to take part in on-field testing at the NFL Scouting Combine, according to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated.Harrison instead plans to continue working out in Columbus with Ohio State strength and conditioning coach Mickey Marotti, adds Breer. He's also unlikely to participate in the Buckeyes' pro day, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.Ex-LSU receiver Malik Nabers also won't participate in drills, sources told Rapoport. However, former Washington wideout Rome Odunze will take part in testing, Rapoport adds.Harrison is expected to be the first wide receiver taken in April, while Nabers and Odzune are both viewed as locks to be taken within the top 10.The combine runs from Feb. 29 to March 3 in Indianapolis.Harrison reportedly doesn't intend to hire an agent. He would be the second high-profile player to opt against hiring representation after Caleb Williams, the presumptive No. 1 overall pick.The 21-year-old Harrison established himself as one of the best receiver prospects of the last decade with an outstanding two-year stretch with the Buckeyes, producing 144 catches, 2,474 yards, and 28 touchdowns.Odunze and Nabers finished 2023 first and second in receiving with 1,640 yards and 1,569 yards, respectively.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Kansas City Chiefs and Andy Reid are set to begin negotiations in the coming weeks for a deal that's expected to make him the NFL's highest-paid coach, sources told Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.General manager Brett Veach is reportedly also in line for a new deal after the Chiefs won their second straight Super Bowl against the San Francisco 49ers. Both new contracts could be done by the Annual League Meeting, which takes place March 24-27, adds Pelissero.It was previously reported that Reid, who's led Kansas City to three Super Bowl wins in the last five years, was in line for an extension regardless of the result against San Francisco.While coach contracts aren't as widely reported as player deals, around six coaches are believed to earn more than $15 million per season, adds Pelissero.The 65-year-old is reportedly believed to rank eighth among NFL coaches in terms of average salary and third in the AFC West behind Sean Payton and Jim Harbaugh.Reid became the NFL's oldest active coach after Bill Belichick and Pete Carroll left their respective positions with the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks.Both Reid and Veach signed new deals following the Chiefs' Super Bowl win during the 2019 season.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL Scouting Combine runs from Feb. 29 to March 3. Some of the draft's most exciting prospects will undergo athletic testing, interviews, and medical evaluations at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Here are some of the storylines we'll be following.All eyes are on the Bears heading into the combine. Possessing the Nos. 1 and 9 selections and presumably shopping quarterback Justin Fields around, Chicago should dictate the flow of the first few picks on draft night.The combine is one of the few places where representatives from every team will be in attendance at the same time. Don't be surprised if reports about the Bears' plans begin to surface. Tim Warner / Getty Images Sport / GettyTexas has a quartet of playmakers who will be under the microscope in Indy.Jonathon Brooks is seen as one of the draft's better runners, with no true standout among this year's running back prospects. However, Brooks is recovering from a torn ACL and will need to lean on his interviews to improve his draft stock.A strong showing could push Ja'Tavion Sanders to lock up the No. 2 tight end spot behind Georgia's Brock Bowers. The 20-year-old wasn't the focus of Texas' passing attack but still eclipsed 600 yards in each of the last two campaigns.We'll touch on wide receivers Xavier Worthy and Adonai Mitchell shortly. Either player could solidify their status as a first-round worthy receiver with strong performances.The Michigan signal-caller wasn't tasked with a ton of complicated work this past season thanks to the Wolverines' dominant rushing attack, but his traits are among the class' most interesting.McCarthy leveraged play action and the strength of his offensive line to finish the season with an impressive 72.3% completion rate, at a reasonable 9 yards per attempt, with 22 touchdown passes against four interceptions. He also had 202 yards and a trio of scores as a runner.The 21-year-old is one of several highly ranked quarterbacks who plan to throw in Indy, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. McCarthy could sneak up some draft boards if he can prove he's an above-average athlete in some of the event's other drills. Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyIt's unlikely that anyone will catapult past Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr., LSU's Malik Nabers, and Washington's Rome Odunze, but wideout rankings beyond those three are mostly unsettled.Oregon's Troy Franklin, LSU's Brian Thomas Jr., Texas' Worthy and Mitchell, and Florida State's Keon Coleman are among a packed group of receivers vying to prove their worth.Mitchell and Coleman fell short of eclipsing 1,000 yards in their final collegiate seasons, but the rest hit that threshold relatively easily. That group was also productive when it came to scoring. Excluding Worthy, they all found the end zone at least 11 times.If you want to be an every-down back in the modern NFL, you have to contribute to the passing game. However, most of this year's top running back prospects weren't asked by their college programs to help much through the air.Hauling in 56 receptions for 413 yards and four touchdowns in 2023, only Oregon's Bucky Irving was a true focus in his team's passing game among the runners expected to go within the first several rounds. Other standout backs like Michigan's Blake Corum (16/117/1), Notre Dame's Audric Estime (17/142/0), and Tennessee's Jaylen Wright (22/141/0) had the bulk of their production come on the ground.Kentucky's Ray Davis, who recorded 323 yards and seven touchdowns on 33 catches in 2023, could leapfrog some of his contemporaries if he excels in those portions of his workout. Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyPower 5 representatives dominate the combine, but the Group of 5 (and lower divisions) have sent plenty of standout performers in years past. Don't be surprised if Toledo's Quinyon Mitchell is this year's strongest Group of 5 performer and ranks among the top finishers in the 40-yard dash and agility drills.But Mitchell won't be exclusively reliant on his athletic testing. He posted six interceptions and 37 pass deflections over his final two seasons with Toledo.The 6-foot, 197-pound corner has already snuck up boards. The former Rocket's strong Senior Bowl performance, mixed with good results from the combine, could guarantee his early selection.No off-ball linebacker in this year's class has separated from the pack yet. If Texas A&M's Edgerrin Cooper, Clemson's Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Michigan's Junior Colson, or another prospect put together a dominant showing, they could vault up boards.Our top pick to put on a show is NC State's Payton Wilson. His medicals will be important, but Wilson could be the latest member of the Wolfpack to go in the first couple of rounds if his testing matches up with his 138 tackles (17.5 for loss), six sacks, and three interceptions in 2023. Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyLatu should test well in whatever drills he participates in, but it's his medical results NFL teams will be most interested in. The 23-year-old medically retired from football before joining the Bruins and could be removed from some draft boards if his tests come back worrisome.Latu could challenge to be the first edge rusher off the board if the results on his neck are clear. He racked up 13 sacks, 21.5 tackles for loss, and a pair of interceptions and forced fumbles in his final college season.A few hamstrings will inevitably be sore after all of the 40-yard dashes, but we hope no one leaves Indy any worse than that.The most serious injury during last year's combine came when offensive lineman Andrew Vorhees tore his ACL during drills. Vorhees still put up 38 reps on the bench press after the injury, but the tear dropped him to the seventh round. Joe Robbins / Getty Images Sport / GettyJohn Ross' lightning-fast 4.22-second 40-yard dash gets most of the attention when it comes to combine records, but Stephen Paea's 49 reps on the bench press and Byron Jones' broad jump of 12 feet and 3 inches were remarkable athletic feats in their own right. Jones' mark still stands as the unofficial world record for the standing long jump.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Potential No. 1 pick Caleb Williams won't throw at the NFL Scouting Combine, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.LSU signal-caller Jayden Daniels also doesn't plan to work out at the combine, Rapoport reports.Both quarterbacks will reportedly wait until their respective pro days to throw for scouts.Other notable passers such as Michael Penix Jr., Bo Nix, and J.J. McCarthy do plan to throw, Rapoport adds.Williams is one of the most anticipated quarterback prospects in recent memory. He threw for 72 touchdowns to only 10 interceptions during his two years at USC. Williams was named the 2022 Heisman winner after throwing for 42 touchdowns and 4,537 yards while adding 10 scores with his legs.The 22-year-old began his college career at Oklahoma, where he impressed with 1,912 passing yards and 21 touchdowns in his lone season.Meanwhile, Daniels captured the 2023 Heisman after a campaign that included 40 passing touchdowns and 10 rushing scores. He has built a reputation as one of the biggest dual-threat prospects.The Chicago Bears hold the top pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, with the Washington Commanders and New England Patriots rounding out the top three.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Russell Wilson would prefer to remain with the Denver Broncos but says he'd like to play for a team that wants him."People think I'm out of there. Maybe I am, but no matter what, I would love to go back," Wilson said on the "I AM ATHLETE" podcast. "I committed there. I committed to be there. I committed to win championships. I want to win more Super Bowls there."I love the city and everything else, but you also want to be at a place that wants you."Wilson's future in Denver has looked bleak since being benched for the final two games of the 2023 regular season. Though head coach Sean Payton said on-field factors determined Wilson's demotion, it was presumed the team sidelined him to avoid injury ahead of an expected offseason release.The Broncos quarterback said during the podcast that the team initially told him after a Week 8 win that he'd be benched for the remainder of the year if he didn't adjust his injury guarantees. Wilson added that he continued to start after his agent contacted the NFLPA."I didn't want to set a precedent for players to remove their injury guarantees," Wilson said. "There was no way I was going to do that."He added that Payton later told him he'd continue to start and that the quarterback should forget the incident "like nothing happened." That stood true until a Week 16 loss to the New England Patriots dropped Denver to 7-8."That's when he told me he was going to bench me, and I was like, 'Man, we were just winning not too long ago,'" Wilson said.Though the 35-year-old would become one of the top quarterbacks available in free agency if released, Wilson declined to rank other possible destinations."I would put Denver No. 1 'cause I'm there right now," Wilson said. "I'd love to be there, you know, (I'd) love to win. That's what I came here to do - to win more Super Bowls. If it's not there, though, I got to go to a place where we're going to win again."Wilson also denied rumors that his Denver home is up for sale.The Broncos signed Wilson to a five-year, $242.6-million deal after acquiring him in a trade in 2022. His $37-million base salary for 2025 becomes guaranteed if he's on the roster on March 17, per Spotrac.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Los Angeles Rams are expected to hire former Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Sean Desai in a senior role on defense, sources told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.The Eagles fired Desai in January after just one season. He had been stripped of play-calling duties before Week 15 and replaced by Matt Patricia amid defensive struggles.The 40-year-old Desai was the DC for the Chicago Bears in 2021 after eight years as an assistant with the club. He also spent one season with the Seattle Seahawks before joining the Eagles.Desai will bring an experienced voice to a defense that lost former DC Raheem Morris, who was hired by the Atlanta Falcons as their new coach.The Rams promoted linebackers coach and pass rush coordinator Chris Shula to be Morris' replacement. Shula, the grandson of legendary Dolphins head coach Don Shula, has been with the Rams since Sean McVay arrived in 2017.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Miami Dolphins pass-rusher Jaelan Phillips is thrilled with his progress from a torn Achilles suffered in late November."I don't know what the schedule is. ... All I know is I feel strong. I feel great. Just attacking this rehab has been awesome so far," Phillips said Saturday, according to David Furones of Sun Sentinel."It's something that's kind of new to me because I've never had a lower-extremity injury like that - long-term, at least," he added. "It's been a new experience learning my body and figuring out what to do is best for me."Phillips sustained the injury in Week 12 against the New York Jets. The 24-year-old had a tremendous season before the ailment, recording 11 quarterback hits and 6.5 sacks in eight contests.Phillips is set to enter his fourth year in the NFL after the Dolphins selected him in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Miami has until May 2 to pick up Phillips' fifth-year option.The Dolphins cleared cap space Friday by releasing cornerback Xavien Howard and edge rusher Emmanuel Ogbah. Both players had been with Miami since Phillips entered the league."Me, personally, Emmanuel was somebody who had me under his wings since I came in as a rookie," Phillips said. "It's really unfortunate to see him go, but the team's going to rally around each other. Definitely going to miss my brother."Same thing with X (Howard). Those two were staples on this team for quite a while."Phillips has 146 tackles and 22 sacks in 42 career games.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

UCLA is hiring former Washington Commanders and Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy as its next offensive coordinator and associate head coach, Bieniemy told Garrett Podell of CBS Sports.The Bruins and Bieniemy are finalizing a two-year deal, according to Adam Schefter and Pete Thamel of ESPN.Bieniemy spent the 2023 season with the Commanders after being with the Chiefs organization for 10 years, five as offensive coordinator. He was also the OC for Colorado from 2011-2012."This is a great opportunity for me to help support DeShaun as a new head coach, to work with him and for him as well," Bieniemy told CBS' Josina Anderson and Podell."I chose to fly under the radar during this hiring process, and my experience generated a lot of interest from a number of NFL teams prior to coming to this decision."Bieniemy interviewed for the Commanders' head coaching job and two other NFL offensive coordinator positions before landing with UCLA, according to Thamel and Schefter.The 54-year-old said he decided to leave Washington and was not fired despite reports."I have no regrets with the Commanders," Bieniemy told Thamel and Schefter. "Contrary to what some think and what has been put out in the media, I was not fired. I actually just chose not to stay. Learned a lot and that is always a good thing."Washington's offense ranked 25th in points per game and 24th in yards per contest under Bieniemy last campaign.Bieniemy added that other coaches have succeeded in returning to college after making a jump to the NFL. He pointed out that Nick Saban, Jim Harbaugh, Bill O'Brien, and Kliff Kingsbury all followed a similar path.The California native returns to UCLA having served as running backs coach there for three seasons from 2003-2005. He's excited to coach again for his hometown school."Southern California, I attended high school there," Bieniemy said. "I started my career in the league here (with the Chargers). It's obviously great to be back with the Bruins, where I was previously employed."UCLA hired DeShaun Foster as head coach after former bench boss Chip Kelly took the offensive coordinator role at Ohio State.The Bruins will make their Big Ten debut in 2024. They went 35-34 in six seasons under Kelly.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.