San Francisco 49ers running back Jeff Wilson is expected to be out four-to-six months after undergoing surgery to repair a torn meniscus, sources told NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.The timetable means Wilson will likely miss the beginning of the regular season.Wilson led the 49ers in rushing with 600 yards and seven touchdowns last season, drawing a heavier workload as other runners went down with injuries. He's spent his entire three-year career in San Francisco after going undrafted in 2018.The 49ers reinforced their backfield earlier in the offseason, signing Wayne Gallman from the New York Giants in free agency and selecting Trey Sermon out of Ohio State in the third round of the NFL draft. Raheem Mostert, who averaged a team-high five yards per carry in 2020 but missed eight games with injuries, is due back as well.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jimmy Garoppolo and Trey Lance both took the field during the San Francisco 49ers' OTAs on Tuesday.Both quarterbacks received reps in 11-on-11 drills during the 75-minute practice session, according to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle, and while Garoppolo appeared recovered from last season's ankle injury, the rookie Lance also impressed."He looks a little bit better than a rookie quarterback," star tight end George Kittle said, per Branch."He's been everything we've hoped for and more," head coach Kyle Shanahan added of Lance, according to Chris Biderman of the Sacramento Bee.The Niners traded the No. 12 pick in this year's draft as well as two future first-rounders to move up to No. 3 and select Lance to be their quarterback of the future. But the 49ers made those moves with the intention of keeping Garoppolo as the starter for the 2021 season.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

NFL executive Peter O'Reilly said Tuesday that 30 of 32 NFL clubs are approved to open their home stadiums at 100% capacity for the 2021 season, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.The Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts are the only teams that don't have the go-ahead, but "both have a clear path" to get approval before August, Reilly added.Rules on masking and vaccinations for those in attendance will be determined by teams and their state and local health guidelines, Pelissero notes.The COVID-19 pandemic prevented a large number of clubs from having fans in the stands throughout the 2020 season. However, the NFL has been hopeful of bringing fans back since the offseason began. Commissioner Roger Goodell spoke about the league's plans to operate at full capacity in March.Numerous stadiums have already announced plans to host full capacity events, including MetLife Stadium and SoFi Stadium, among others.The NFL also told teams Tuesday that fans are expected to be allowed to attend training camp but are still finalizing protocols with the players' union.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The San Francisco 49ers could make a run at acquiring Julio Jones to cap one of the most memorable offseasons in franchise history, head coach Kyle Shanahan hinted Tuesday."We're always interested in improving our team," Shanahan told reporters. "We'll never just say, 'Hey, we're done, we can't improve our team.' You always try to make that happen."Jones admitted Monday that he's looking to move on from the Atlanta Falcons, where he played the first 10 seasons of his career. The 49ers have a pair of promising young wideouts in Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, but Jones - a two-time receiving champion - would take their pass-catching corps to a new level.San Francisco made one of the boldest moves of the offseason before the NFL draft, trading three first-round picks for the No. 3 selection, which the club used on quarterback Trey Lance."It makes it harder when you've already given up some stuff to make some moves and things like that," Shanahan added. "Everything's got to fit in and it's got to make sense, but I'll never say we're just done."Shanahan coached Jones in 2015 and 2016 when he served as the Falcons' offensive coordinator. Jones led the NFL in receiving with 1,871 yards in their first year together and posted 1,409 yards in their second season.Jones said he's looking to join a winning team after missing the playoffs the last three years in Atlanta. Shanahan is at the helm of a San Francisco club that went 6-10 in 2020 amid a heap of injuries but made the Super Bowl two seasons ago.The Falcons are reportedly seeking a first-round pick in return for their all-time receiving leader but may struggle to net such a high return given Jones' age and expensive contract.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The start of the NFL season is more than three months away, but we've already been gifted a full slate of Week 1 lines to scour over. We've found a handful of early values against the spread worth betting well before the start of the season.Here are the full lines for Week 1, along with our three favorite bets against the spread:WEEK 1 MATCHUPSCowboys @ Buccaneers (-6.5)Cardinals @ Titans (-2.5)Jaguars (-2.5) @ TexansChargers (-1) @ WashingtonVikings (-3.5) @ BengalsJets @ Panthers (-4)Eagles @ Falcons (-3.5)Steelers @ Bills (-6.5)49ers (-7.5) @ LionsSeahawks @ Colts (-2)Browns @ Chiefs (-5.5)Broncos (-1) @ GiantsPackers @ Saints (-2)Dolphins @ Patriots (-1.5)Bears @ Rams (-7)Ravens (-5) @ RaidersCowboys @ Buccaneers (-6.5)I fully expect this line to reach 7 at some point before kickoff, so why wait for a worse number when you can lay less than a touchdown on the vastly superior team?We know what we're getting from the defending champions. The Buccaneers are returning all 22 starters from last year's title team - not including both kicking specialists - which was the only group to finish in the top five in offensive and defensive DVOA.Compare that to the Cowboys, who have rebuilt a defense that allowed the fifth-most points (29.6) and second-most rushing yards (158.8) per game in 2020. They'll also be reinstalling Dak Prescott at QB less than a year after his gruesome leg injury that initially threatened his future in Dallas.It's a big number, but one that's worth playing given the risk on one side and near-certainty on the other. The Bucs were 7-3-1 ATS a year ago when favored by at least four points, while home favorites in the NFL season kickoff game are 10-3-1 ATS since 2005. Lay the points on the reigning champs.Pick: Buccaneers -6.5Chargers (-1) @ WashingtonAre the Chargers that much better than Washington? L.A. is projected to win just a half-game more in the betting market, yet it's priced as roughly four points better on a neutral field after finishing with an identical record in 2020.Yes, the Chargers have the superior quarterback in Justin Herbert, though his heroics netted his team a losing record a year ago. And that might be Los Angeles' lone advantage. Washington carries one of the best defenses from 2020 into this season and it adds Ryan Fitzpatrick to an offense that already features an elite O-line and explosive playmakers.Los Angeles is better on paper than it was a year ago, but so is Washington, which finished the year on a 5-2-1 ATS run as an underdog. Expect that run to continue into this season - assuming the line doesn't flip before then.Pick: Washington +1Denver Broncos (-1) @ New York GiantsI know what you're thinking: yes, this line is shaded toward the Broncos in hopes of a trade that may never materialize. It's also the best reason to bet early. If Aaron Rodgers is traded to Denver - where he's most likely to play if not in Green Bay - this line could climb all the way to 7. If he isn't, it'll creep a few points toward the Giants, at worst, but likely not cross the key number of 3.The Broncos are worth betting either way. Their defense was pedestrian by surface numbers in 2020 but was actually among the league's best in a few key areas - they ranked 11th in yards allowed per drive (33.3), seventh in three-and-out percentage (21.1%), and fifth in average red-zone points allowed (4.7).Some poor turnover luck and atrocious offense sullied their overall numbers, but both should improve in 2021. A healthy Von Miller and newly signed Kyle Fuller should do wonders for Denver's turnover margin, while whomever is under center should benefit from one of the league's best rushing duos in Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams.Bet this game early, and don't fret if the line creeps toward New York as kickoff nears. If the Broncos land Rodgers, it'll be well worth the gamble - and if they don't, you've likely got a winner on your hands, anyway.Pick: Broncos -1C Jackson Cowart is a betting writer for theScore. He's an award-winning journalist with stops at The Charlotte Observer, The San Diego Union-Tribune, The Times Herald-Record, and BetChicago. He's also a proud graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, and his love of sweet tea is rivaled only by that of a juicy prop bet. Find him on Twitter @CJacksonCowart.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Many Tampa Bay Buccaneers veterans were absent Tuesday during the team’s first day of organized team activities, with quarterback Tom Brady and most of the starters practicing Monday at the New York Yankees’ spring training complex.After practice, Arians said he told veterans they can stay away, but he still prefers to see his players work out at the club’s facility."I just told them, 'Don't be here,' Arians said, according to ESPN's Jenna Laine. "I'd love to have them in the meetings, watching film, do some team building. We've had some guys come in and out. But as far as, if you were a starter, you weren't gonna be on the field anyway.""Last year was so different because of the pandemic," Arians added, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. "This year they can be here. Like I said, they wouldn’t be practicing but they could be working on this field. I’d love to see them all out here together.”If they suffer an injury while working out away from their team's facilities, players could land on the non-football injury list and their contract guarantees might be voided.Tampa Bay players released a statement in April through the NFLPA saying they wouldn't be attending voluntary offseason activities. Brady also urged players during a conference call to negotiate for improved workout conditions, highlighting overly competitive drills as an area for potential change.Arians remains in contact with most of his starters, and he hopes they'll change their minds about attending OTAs in the future.While Arians would like his starters to be at the team’s building, the coach wants to see the bottom half of his roster get some snaps in person."The guys who needed to be here were here," according to team reporter Scott Smith.Full attendance is expected when the reigning Super Bowl champions host their mandatory minicamp June 7-9.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward wants the disrespect of Ben Roethlisberger to stop.After the Steelers' first practice of OTAs on Tuesday, Heyward defended his quarterback following an offseason of questions about his ability to perform at 39 years old."When I hear the badmouthing about him being a not great quarterback and everybody is ready to elevate other quarterbacks, I'm like, what have they done?" Heyward said, according to ESPN's Brookie Pryor. "This guy is a proven winner, but yet we're ready to discount him."Coming off an elbow injury that sidelined him for most of 2019, Roethlisberger looked like his old self over the first half of the 2020 campaign. He racked up 2,267 yards and 22 touchdowns against four interceptions in the opening nine games of the year.But the veteran signal-caller's play sharply fell off down the stretch. Roethlisberger threw 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions during the last seven games, with four of the turnovers coming during Pittsburgh's home playoff loss to the Cleveland Browns.Roethlisberger agreed to restructure his contract to return to Pittsburgh, ending speculation he could retire. The quarterback's new one-year deal reduced his cap hit from a league-leading $41.25 million to $25.91 million.Heyward believes critics are being too harsh considering his quarterback's success, which includes two Super Bowl victories and six Pro Bowl appearances."I think we're just blowing it out of proportion," Heyward said. "The dude went 11-0 to start the season. How many other quarterbacks did that? I think we can sit up here and talk about we lost the game last year. We lost to the Cleveland Browns. Ok so be it. We fell off at the end, but we still made the playoffs."But I'm not here to say my quarterback's not able to do it. I've seen this guy win Super Bowls on TV. I've seen him day in and day out compete. You just get frustrated because I know Ben puts in work. I know how much he cares about this team."Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow was back on the field for the first day of OTAs.Burrow sported a brace on his left knee as he took part in light drills during Tuesday's session. He threw passes to various receivers, including first-round pick Ja'Marr Chase.

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Antonio Brown is officially back with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.The veteran wide receiver signed his contract after passing a physical, the team announced on Tuesday.Brown agreed to a one-year deal worth up to $6.25 million in April, but he wasn't able to pass his health evaluation at the time. He underwent a minor knee procedure last week.The 32-year-old recorded 45 receptions for 483 yards and four touchdowns over eight games last season, his first with the Buccaneers. He caught eight passes for 81 yards and two scores during the team's Super Bowl run.Brown rejoins a wide receiver group that includes Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Scotty Miller.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Aaron Rodgers says his issues with the Green Bay Packers are a matter of philosophy rather than the result of any one decision by the franchise.Speaking to Kenny Mayne on ESPN's "SportsCenter" on Monday night, Rodgers sidestepped questions about whether he's asked for a trade and said the Packers' decision to trade up to draft quarterback Jordan Love in the first round of the 2020 draft isn't to blame for his issues with the team.

Safety Derwin James has been cleared for full participation, Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley said Monday, according to The Athletic's Daniel Popper.James missed the entire 2020 season after suffering a torn meniscus.The 24-year-old was on the field as the Chargers kicked off the first day of OTAs.

The NFL is undertaking a review after offensive line coach Eugene Chung said a team official told him he was "not the right minority" during a job interview this offseason, the league announced Monday."That comment is completely inappropriate and contrary to league values and workplace policies," NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said in a statement. "The NFL and its clubs are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all personnel in a manner that is consistent with our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion."The Fritz Pollard Alliance, a foundation that champions diversity within the NFL, also called for an investigation after Chung's account of the interview became public.Chung is of Korean descent. He joined the Philadelphia Eagles as an assistant offensive line coach in 2010, followed Andy Reid to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2013, and returned to the Eagles in 2016. The 51-year-old last coached with the Eagles in 2019.The former offensive lineman became the first Asian American drafted in the first round when the New England Patriots selected him 13th overall in 1992. He also spent time with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Indianapolis Colts before retiring from playing in 2000.The NFL recently implemented a rule rewarding teams with draft picks for developing minority coaches or front-office executives who land with other teams. The league has also updated the Rooney Rule, requiring clubs to interview at least two minority candidates for head coaching jobs and one minority candidate for a coordinator position.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Teddy Bridgewater reached out to the Carolina Panthers to clear up his comments about the organization's practice methods.The quarterback said earlier this month that the Panthers barely practiced their two-minute or red-zone offense while he was with the team, prompting questions about offensive coordinator Joe Brady.Now with the Denver Broncos, Bridgewater told the media Monday he reached out to Brady as his comments were perceived differently than he intended."I am in Denver now. It was taken out of context what I said. Joe (Brady) is my guy. I texted him," Bridgewater said, according to Troy Renck of Denver7. "I don't have much to say about last year."Bridgewater was only given a one-year run in Carolina before being traded to Denver this offseason. Despite his time with the Panthers being shorter than expected, the 28-year-old said he's looking forward to a fresh start.The Broncos will be Bridgewater's third team in as many years. He's set to split reps evenly with Drew Lock as the two battle for the starting quarterback job.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Julio Jones' time with the Atlanta Falcons could be coming to a close.Shannon Sharpe called the star wide receiver during Monday's episode of "Undisputed" and asked if he wants to stay in Atlanta or join the Dallas Cowboys."I'm outta there, man," said Jones.When Sharpe asked where he wants to go, Jones said, "I wanna win."

Quarterback Deshaun Watson won't attend the Houston Texans' organized team activities and still wants to be traded, sources told Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.Watson is currently facing 22 lawsuits alleging sexual assault and inappropriate behavior. The Houston Police Department recently opened an investigation after a complainant filed a criminal report against Watson.The 25-year-old requested a trade from the Texans prior to his legal issues and still wants out of Houston, Pelissero adds.The New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos, San Francisco 49ers, New England Patriots, Chicago Bears, and Washington Football Team expressed interest in acquiring the three-time Pro Bowler before the lawsuits were filed.Watson initially requested a trade after the Texans hired Nick Caserio as its general manager in January.The former first-round pick, who's signed through 2025 after inking a four-year, $156-million extension in 2020, led the NFL with 4,823 yards and 33 touchdowns last season.The Texans added multiple quarterbacks this offseason, signing veteran signal-caller Tyrod Taylor while using a third-round pick on Davis Mills.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Atlanta Falcons have a potentially franchise-altering decision on the horizon.Atlanta reportedly fielded trade calls for Julio Jones after the star wideout put in a trade request a few months ago. Could the club really move one of the NFL's premier receivers? It's possible, but a trade would have to come after June 1 to defer Jones' bonuses over the next two years.Strapped against the salary cap, the Falcons don't have enough money to pay their rookie class and account for cap expansion in September. If Atlanta deals Jones, it would solve its issues this year and gain flexibility for next season. The 32-year-old wideout would also be fairly affordable for the acquiring team, with annual salaries of $15.3 million and $11.51 million in the next two years and only $17.5 million guaranteed.With June 1 approaching, here are six potential suitors for the seven-time Pro Bowler:New England Patriots Gregory Shamus / Getty Images Sport / GettyMany fans would likely not enjoy seeing Jones on Bill Belichick's squad, but no one should rule out this scenario given how aggressive New England has been in attempting to improve its offense in 2021.The Patriots added a pair of tight ends in Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith, but the signings of Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne don't move the needle at receiver for a unit that ranked 27th in both points and yards per game last year.Belichick and Co. have the ammunition and mindset to make a deal and can create enough cap space through a minor transaction or two. While the Patriots endured a setback in 2020, they likely believe they can still contend with either Cam Newton or first-round rookie Mac Jones under center, and the addition of Jones would take them over the top.Los Angeles ChargersJustin Herbert exceeded all expectations in Year 1 and could be the next sophomore quarterback to take the league by storm. An upper-echelon quarterback on a rookie contract is arguably the most valuable asset in the NFL, and the Chargers should be exploring every option to maximize their three-year window before Herbert's second contract.L.A. doesn't have as glaring a need at receiver as other teams on this list. Keenan Allen is a legitimate No. 1 pass-catcher, racking up 403 grabs over the last four seasons. Mike Williams, meanwhile, is one of the best 50-50 receivers in the NFL and has 1,757 yards since 2019. But the Chargers did lose tight end Hunter Henry in free agency, and Jalen Guyton and rookie Josh Palmer are the team's only solid receiving options behind Allen and Williams.Taking on Jones' contract would be fairly straightforward for the Chargers, who have over $20 million in cap space. Moreover, Williams is entering the final year of his rookie contract. Though he's been solid, the AFC West club might not want to meet his price. Jones would not only give the Chargers an intimidating trio for 2021, but he would also insure them against losing Williams next offseason.Baltimore RavensThe Ravens entered the offseason with one goal above all others: Improve Lamar Jackson's wide receiver group. Baltimore ultimately landed Sammy Watkins after unsuccessful runs at free agents JuJu Smith-Schuster and T.Y. Hilton, then used its first-round pick on Rashod Bateman.While Watkins, Bateman, and Marquise Brown constitute a far more talented group than Jackson had last year, there's no guarantee they'll yield a significantly improved passing attack. Watkins hasn't recorded 1,000 yards since 2015, and Bateman will likely need time to adjust to the physicality of the NFL.Jones would be the true No. 1 target Jackson has lacked since entering the NFL. The veteran's presence would also ease the pressure on the Ravens' young wideouts to perform immediately. Baltimore would need to get creative with its cap, as it doesn't have many obvious contracts to restructure. But considering the team's aggressive pursuits in free agency, it seems like a safe bet that the Ravens would find a way to accommodate a talent of Jones' caliber.San Francisco 49ers Jim McIsaac / Getty Images Sport / GettyA Julio-49ers pairing makes sense for several reasons. Although San Francisco moved its first-round pick in next year's draft to select third overall this past April, the Falcons likely won't demand a Day 1 slot in a potential trade for Jones. Instead, a second- and mid-round pick could be enough to secure his services, and it's hard to imagine the 49ers would be unwilling to make a deal of that nature.Trading Jones to the Bay Area would also reunite him with Kyle Shanahan. San Francisco's bright head coach was Atlanta's offensive coordinator from 2015-16, and he and Jones reached Super Bowl LI together. The 49ers already roster young stars in Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, but adding a true all-around receiver would take Shanahan's offense to the next level - not to mention aid Trey Lance's development.San Francisco general manager John Lynch wasn't satisfied with his club's performance in 2020 - despite the plethora of injuries it faced - so the 49ers are a team with a sufficiently aggressive mentality to make a blockbuster move.Tennessee TitansThe Titans' offense suffered some major losses in free agency, with Jonnu Smith, Adam Humphries, and Corey Davis all leaving. Tennessee wasn't able to retain Smith or Davis - two key offensive pieces in recent seasons - due, in part, to a lack of cap space.The Titans have around $3.5 million available, but they could gain more by reworking the contracts of Kevin Byard, Derrick Henry, and Taylor Lewan. Taking on Jones' contract could require restructuring all three of those players' deals, and it remains to be seen if Tennessee is willing to risk creating more long-term cap issues to land the wideout.The need at receiver, though, is clear. Davis, Smith, and Humphries were second, third, and fifth in team catches in 2020. With little done to replace the trio, A.J. Brown could be primed for a 140-target season. But the Titans are also a run-first team. Even with the aforementioned losses, it's fair to question if Tennessee would get enough value out of Jones given the price of acquiring him.Kansas City ChiefsThe Chiefs don't currently have the cap space for Jones, but they're only a move or two from securing it. Linebacker Anthony Hitchens and defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi could be two potential cap casualties in this scenario. Kansas City could also opt to extend star defensive back Tyrann Mathieu, pushing a chunk of his salary into future years.It's no secret Andy Reid and Co. were in the market for receivers this offseason. Seeking more stability opposite Tyreek Hill, the Chiefs pursued JuJu Smith-Schuster and Josh Reynolds in free agency and were interested in a few others before re-signing Demarcus Robinson.Jones in Kansas City's offense is a truly frightening thought, even if the wideout's best seasons are behind him. Chiefs GM Brett Veach has already shown a willingness to aggressively pursue players at his roster's weaker positions; a chance to field two of the NFL's top five receivers for all-world quarterback Patrick Mahomes may be too tempting to pass up.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Aaron Rodgers didn't show up to Lambeau Field on Monday for the start of the Green Bay Packers' organized team activities, a source told Rob Demovsky of ESPN.The Packers weren't surprised by Rodgers' absence for the start of Phase Three of the offseason program as the quarterback didn't report for Phase One or Phase Two either, Demovsky adds.While Packers players are not required to show up until June 8 for mandatory minicamp, Rodgers has a $500,000 workout bonus in his contract. However, his previous absences already disqualify him from earning the bonus.Rodgers has been a regular participant in the Packers' offseason program and OTAs throughout his career, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.The 37-year-old is in a standoff with the Packers organization and reportedly told some people within it that he does not want to return. The club reportedly offered to make him the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL, but Rodgers is apparently set on staying away unless general manager Brian Gutekunst is fired.Meanwhile, Green Bay has been adamant about not trading its longtime quarterback. Head coach Matt LaFleur told reporters earlier in May that he wants Rodgers back "in the worst way."Rodgers was named league MVP in 2020 after throwing for 48 touchdowns against five interceptions.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It appears David Njoku is no longer seeking an exit from the Cleveland Browns.The tight end is "in a good place with the franchise" after requesting a trade last summer, a source told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.Cleveland reportedly asked for a third-round pick for Njoku prior to the 2020 trade deadline, but the team instead kept the former first-rounder.Njoku, who's entering the final year of his rookie contract, was once again the subject of trade speculation earlier this offseason.The 24-year-old dropped behind Austin Hooper on the Browns' depth chart last year, finishing with 19 catches for 213 yards and two touchdowns. Hooper racked up 46 receptions for 435 yards and four scores.Njoku teased Pro Bowl potential with a 639-yard sophomore campaign in 2018. However, he only played in four games the following season due to a concussion and a wrist injury.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Offensive line coach Eugene Chung had a disheartening experience when interviewing for an NFL job this offseason."It was said to me, 'Well, you're really not a minority,'" Chung told Nicole Yang of the Boston Globe on Tuesday.Chung is of Korean descent. He froze upon hearing the interviewer's comment."I was like, 'Wait a minute. The last time I checked, when I looked in the mirror and brushed my teeth, I was a minority,'" he said. "So, I was like, 'What do you mean I'm not a minority?'"Chung says he was then told, "'You are not the right minority we're looking for.'"The Fritz Pollard Alliance, a foundation that champions diversity within the NFL, later called for an investigation into Chung's claims in a statement Monday."Alleged comments made to Eugene Chung by an NFL team during a recent interview should be investigated by the NFL," executive director Rod Graves said, per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. "If the comments regarding his status as a Korean American are true, it is further evidence that despite good-faith changes to diversity-related policies, the NFL's actual hiring practices are still riddled with discrimination."Chung spent five years as an offensive lineman for the New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, and Jacksonville Jaguars during the 1990s. He joined the Philadelphia Eagles as an assistant offensive line coach in 2010, followed Andy Reid to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2013, and returned to the Eagles in 2016, eventually winning a Super Bowl in 2017.Chung last coached with the Eagles in 2019 and hopes to someday become the NFL's first Asian American head coach. He was the first Asian American drafted in the first round when the Patriots selected him 13th overall in 1992.But Chung's experience this offseason left him heartbroken."It was absolutely mind-blowing to me that in 2021, something like that is actually a narrative," Chung said of being called "not the right minority."The NFL recently implemented a rule rewarding teams with third-round picks for developing minority coaches or front-office execs who land with other teams. The league also updated the Rooney Rule to require clubs to interview at least two minority candidates for head coaching jobs and one minority candidate for a coordinator position.However, the league has been criticized for a lack of diverse hiring this year.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Phil Mickelson is on the heels of smashing a majors record, and his masterclass performance in the PGA Championship drew praise from another superstar athlete in Tom Brady.Mickelson, 50, is just 18 holes away from becoming the oldest champion in majors history. His showing over the last three rounds at Kiawah Island garnered appreciation from the 43-year-old Brady, who also became the oldest player to compete in a Super Bowl earlier this year."He's so committed and such a great athlete, it's a pleasure to see him compete," Brady told the Los Angeles Times via text message. "His love of the game is inspiring for us all, and he is always looking for ways to improve mentally, physically, and emotionally! Just great to watch."Mickelson and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback have shared the field before. Peyton Manning and Tiger Woods defeated the duo in the second installment of "The Match."Mickelson hasn't won a major since the 2013 British Open. He currently has a one-shot lead over Brooks Koepka heading into Sunday's final round.With a victory, the 50-year-old would surpass Julius Boros as the oldest golfer to win a major. Boros was 48 years old when he won the 1968 PGA Championship.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New England Patriots have had internal discussions about trading for Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones, reports Mike Giardi of NFL Network.It's unclear how serious the discussions have been, Giardi adds.Jones is reportedly available for trade as the Falcons look to create financial flexibility in 2021 and beyond. Atlanta has $410,000 of cap space but would gain an additional $15.3 million of room by trading Jones after June 1.Hamstring injuries hampered Jones throughout 2020 and limited him to nine appearances, but the 32-year-old still managed 51 receptions for 771 yards and three touchdowns. The seven-time Pro Bowler has been one of the NFL's most productive pass-catchers over his career, leading the league in receiving yardage in 2015 and 2018.The Patriots lack a proven playmaker out wide despite revamping their receiving core over the offseason. Barring another move, New England will go into training camp with Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne penciled into starting spots at wide receiver, with Jakobi Meyers and N'Keal Harry slotting in behind them.New England took an unusually aggressive approach in upgrading its roster after going 7-9 in 2020. Bill Belichick and Co. spent an NFL record $159.6 million in guaranteed money on free agents, landing the likes of Jonnu Smith, Hunter Henry, Matt Judon, Jalen Mills, Agholor, and Bourne.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pete Carroll believes that the drama surrounding quarterback Russell Wilson is in the past.The Seattle Seahawks head coach downplayed any friction between Wilson and the franchise in an interview Friday on the "Rich Eisen Show.""It seems like really old news to talk about this because it's been such a long time," Carroll said, according to Nick Shook of NFL.com. "The little bit he said carried so much air time that it became bigger than life. Throughout the whole process, Russell, we've always been connected. We've always been talking. ... He was frustrated when he was talking, just like any of us can sometimes emphasize something that's on the top of our mind, and it can be played differently than it really played itself out."It appeared that Wilson might be on his way out of Seattle after the signal-caller voiced his frustration with the Seahawks in February. The 32-year-old publicly noted his displeasure with being hit too much as well as the club's slow response to bolstering its offensive line.Wilson denied requesting a trade, but his agent listed four teams the passer would waive his no-trade clause for: the Dallas Cowboys, Las Vegas Raiders, New Orleans Saints, and Chicago Bears.The Seahawks declined offers for their franchise quarterback and opted to remain silent on the matter as rumors circulated about a possible split."We've had a really good offseason of working, and there was an ongoing media discussion that I did not take part in, John (Schneider) and I did not, we refused to be party to that, and Russ did what he could once he saw it happening, to stay as quiet as he could because it was going to play and have a life of its own anyway," said Carroll."What it amounted to was I think a refocusing, making sure that we were on the same page, making sure that we were clear so that we could withstand any of the scrutiny that would come towards us, and we did that."The 2021 season will mark Wilson's 10th campaign in Seattle. Over nine seasons, he's compiled a record of 98-45-1 as a starter and has not missed a game since entering the league in 2012.Carroll said Wilson is "fired up about his team, he's fired up about his coaching staff, he's fired up about the season."Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The San Francisco 49ers waived wide receiver Marqise Lee on Friday, four days after signing him to a one-year deal.Lee earned his contract with San Francisco after a tryout.The 29-year-old once appeared to have a bright future ahead of him, but injury problems derailed his career.In 2016, Lee broke out with 851 yards and three touchdowns for the Jacksonville Jaguars. He followed it up with 702 yards and three touchdowns in 2017 but tore his ACL, MCL, and PCL in a 2018 preseason game and has battled injuries since.After the Jaguars released him from his four-year, $34-million contract in April 2020, Lee inked a one-year deal with the New England Patriots. He opted out of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Patriots chose not to retain him for 2021.The 49ers signed wide receiver Bennie Fowler in a corresponding move. The 29-year-old previously suited up for the Denver Broncos, New York Giants, and New Orleans Saints.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Patrick Mahomes will take part in the Kansas City Chiefs' organized team activities following offseason toe surgery, according to James Palmer of NFL Network.The star quarterback is reportedly ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation and will "do some stuff" during OTAs before fully participating in training camp at the end of July.In April, Mahomes said he felt he was progressing faster than expected while recovering from surgery. The signal-caller went under the knife shortly after Super Bowl LV for the turf toe injury that limited him throughout the playoffs.Chiefs head coach Andy Reid previously said he was optimistic Mahomes would be ready for the start of training camp.The 25-year-old has played in 46 regular-season and eight playoff contests since taking over as Kansas City's starter in 2018. Mahomes missed two games in 2019 due to a dislocated kneecap and was rested for Week 17 last year.Mahomes threw for 4,740 yards and 38 touchdowns against six interceptions during the 2020 campaign.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tim Tebow officially signed his contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars, the club announced Thursday."I want to thank the Jaguars for the opportunity to compete and earn the chance to be part of this team," Tebow said. "I know it will be a challenge, but it is a challenge I embrace."The former quarterback is set to convert to tight end and will be on the field for the Jaguars' offseason workout program Thursday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.Tebow signed a one-year deal worth $920,000 - the league minimum - that contains no guaranteed money, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Reports emerged earlier in May that the Jaguars planned to reunite the Florida product with head coach Urban Meyer. However, the idea reportedly drew mixed reactions from members of the organization, as some believed it would send a bad message to the locker room.Meyer coached Tebow at Florida, where the duo enjoyed a highly successful run. Tebow won two SEC Player of the Year awards and two BCS national championships with the Gators, though one came as a backup quarterback.Meyer praised his new signing's work ethic earlier in May, calling him the "most competitive maniac you're ever going to talk to."Tebow, a first-round pick of the Denver Broncos in 2010, last appeared in the league in 2015. The 33-year-old hasn't suited up for a regular-season game since 2012. He embarked on a professional baseball career after his first stint in the NFL, playing in the New York Mets organization from 2016-2021.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians erased any doubt about his immediate future after winning Super Bowl LV, telling fans at the championship parade that he's "going for two."Not only is Arians locked in for the 2021 campaign, but the 68-year-old intends to at least fulfill his contract, which expires after the 2023 season."Oh yeah, that's the plan. I don't have any plans on retiring," Arians told the "Pewter Report Podcast" Tuesday. "It's just, when do I not want to go back to work? When I'm not excited about going back to work, then I'm cheating somebody. I'm cheating the Glazer family, I'm cheating my players. Right now, I can't wait to get back to work. I don't know when that's going to happen, but no, I'm not tied to any players."Many have speculated that Arians' future is connected to Tom Brady. The star quarterback inked a one-year extension through 2022 this offseason and has teased playing beyond that deal.Even if Brady opts to walk after next season, Arians is open to leading the next era in Tampa Bay."I could get extremely excited about having another young quarterback and going to war with one," Arians said. "I'll be honest with you. I'd be excited to take Blaine Gabbert to war because I love Blaine Gabbert. I think he is the most underrated player in the NFL. So yeah, when it's not fun, then it will be time."Arians initially retired following the 2017 season when he was coaching the Arizona Cardinals due, in part, to medical concerns. The two-time Coach of the Year has battled cancer three times.However, Arians said he's currently in good health."Everything's great. I lost all that weight during the season but just gained it all back," Arians said. "I have to lose it again, but other than that, I got a good, clean bill of health, man. I'm still a C-plus. I'm good."Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Count Sterling Shepard as one person who's happy about the New York Giants' offensive additions this offseason.The Giants' offense - which ranked 31st in total touchdowns (27) and points per game (17.5) last year - will now feature the likes of Kenny Golladay, Kyle Rudolph, John Ross, and rookie Kadarius Toney, as well as former first-rounder Kelvin Benjamin."Super excited about it," Shepard told Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News. "This offense was in need of some more weapons, and I feel like we got that accomplished over the offseason."He added: "We needed weapons."The 28-year-old doesn't see the influx of talent, particularly Toney, as head-to-head competition."That's just another weapon added to the team and to the offense, and he also brings some value in the return game," Shepard said.Giants quarterback Daniel Jones organized workouts with some of the receivers in April. Shepard commended the third-year signal-caller for his leadership and maturity in getting the group together."We had a great time out there getting to know each other, and bonding with each other as well," Shepard said.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Denver Broncos running back Melvin Gordon wants to pick up where he left off.The two-time Pro Bowler had a slow start to his first season with Denver in 2020, and it may have prevented him from posting the best individual campaign of his career. Now he's looking to prove he's still a consistent runner - and that the late-season surge he enjoyed last year was a sign of things to come."I don't want people to feel like, 'He's lost a step, he's this or that,'" Gordon said this week, according to Broncos team writer Aric DiLalla. "I almost went for 1,000 yards last year while sharing the ball. … It's important to not only show people but also show myself that I'm still this high-caliber back."Gordon, 28, was held to just 439 yards (4.1 per carry) and four touchdowns on the ground through his first eight games in 2020. But he improved in the final stretch of the year, rushing for 547 yards (5.0 per carry) and five scores in the last seven games to finish as the Broncos' rushing leader.The 2015 first-round pick ended the 2020 campaign with a team-high 215 carries, significantly more than Phillip Lindsay's 118.The Broncos let Lindsay go this offseason, but that doesn't mean Gordon won't have backfield competition in 2021. Denver used its second-round pick in this year's draft to select running back Javonte Williams 35th overall."Obviously, they bring in competition every year and every position," Gordon said. "You can look at things in two different fashions. With the Javonte situation ... you could look at it as they brought him here to replace me. Or you can just look at it as it's just another way for me to get better - another guy to push me to greater heights and see what I can do, see what I can bring, and bring it out of me."The coming campaign will be a contract year for Gordon, providing extra motivation for a player who apparently doesn't want to wear a different jersey in 2022."I really feel like this is the year to do what I need to do because I want to make Denver home," Gordon said. "I don't want to be a journeyman. I keep saying that. I want to really make Denver home."Gordon spent his first five NFL seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers franchise, averaging 253 carries for 1,013 rushing yards and nine touchdowns per 16 games played.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Washington Football Team released longtime offensive tackle Morgan Moses on Thursday, the team announced.Moses' release comes just days after Washington reportedly gave him permission to seek a trade. The move will save the NFC East club $7.75 million in cap space in 2021.The 30-year-old, who's started every game at right tackle for Washington since 2015, is coming off the best season of his career, according to PFF. He allowed five sacks and 13 quarterback hits while committing six penalties in 2020.Washington also released offensive lineman Geron Christian. The 24-year-old, who was set to become a free agent at the end of the campaign, started six games at left tackle last year before suffering a season-ending knee injury.Washington signed veteran offensive tackle Charles Leno this offseason and drafted Samuel Cosmi in the second round.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Washington Football Team owner Dan Snyder is planning to build a new stadium for his franchise.Snyder told TMZ that he expects the club to open a "state-of-the-art" stadium by 2027.The 56-year-old owner is looking at various stadiums to draw inspiration for his future project. Snyder, along with other team executives, was reportedly in Los Angeles this week to check out SoFi Stadium, and he'll be going as far as Europe to check out facilities."We're touring stadiums," Snyder said. "We're coming West Coast and touring. There's about 12 of us, and we're just looking to build a new venue back home in D.C., Virginia, Maryland."Team president Jason Wright added: "We're taking inspiration from everywhere because if we're going to do something that our fans really deserve - which is cutting edge and innovative - we're going to take in all the ideas. So, we're absorbing."Washington has been playing at its current stadium, FedEx Field, since 1997. The facility is reportedly in the midst of its first major renovation project since opening, with the club improving the stadium's playing surface.Copyright © 2021 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, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, and Anchor.In this episode, Jordan McNamara of Analytics of Dynasty joins Boone to discuss players to buy, others to sell, and more roster moves to improve your dynasty teams.

Julian Edelman is staying retired, and not even Tom Brady can change his mind.The Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback fueled speculation earlier in May that Edelman could return to the NFL. Brady joked that his former teammate didn't retire and was just "too scared" to tell New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick that he wanted to join the Bucs.But Edelman reiterated Thursday that he doesn't intend to play with Brady and Rob Gronkowski in Tampa Bay or anywhere else."I'm a one-team guy," Edelman said on "The Michael Irvin Podcast," according to Ben Volin of the Boston Globe.The wide receiver's health issues would seemingly prohibit a return to the NFL even if he wanted to continue his career outside of New England."My knees (are) breaking down," said Edelman. "I got everything I wanted. I got three rings, played in a magical dynasty, with an unbelievable franchise, coach, best quarterback of all time. Like, yo, I'm not a greedy guy. I played to win. I played to compete. I don't need anything else to prove. I'm good with what I did, I left it all out on the field."Edelman, who turns 35 in June, played just six games in 2020 due to a knee injury. He announced his retirement in April after 12 seasons with the Patriots.While Edelman's regular-season stats don't stand out when compared to the greats of his generation, the veteran ranks second in postseason receiving yards behind Jerry Rice. He was also named Super Bowl LIII MVP.Some have speculated that Edelman could get Hall of Fame consideration based on his playoff production and being part of the defining dynasty of the last 20 years.However, Edelman isn't interested in pushing his candidacy for a gold jacket."I'm not here to make a case, man. I didn't play the game to be in the Hall," said Edelman. "It's just an honor to even be mentioned."Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After two months of free agency and the completion of the 2021 draft, we have a good notion of what NFL teams will look like when the regular season begins. And, for 12 of those clubs, this year brings another chance to capture that elusive first Super Bowl.Here's how the teams without a Super Bowl title rank by how close they are to clinching their first trophy.12. Detroit LionsSuper Bowl history: Have never appeared in Super Bowl. Last conference-championship appearance came in 1991 vs. Washington Football TeamIt's hard to project what the Lions will look like in 2021, and it's even harder to envision success for Detroit after the team lost so much individual talent this offseason. The Lions traded quarterback Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams for Jared Goff, who's coming off another unimpressive campaign, and they lost their top two receivers while doing little to address a struggling defense in free agency.Dan Campbell may be an upgrade over Matt Patricia, but the first-year head coach and his new staff have a lot to prove. The Lions need to discover their identity before entertaining the idea of a Super Bowl run.11. Houston Texans Bob Levey / Getty Images Sport / GettySuper Bowl history: Have never advanced past divisional roundThere are just too many unknowns in Houston right now. The Texans still don't know who will be under center to start the season as Deshaun Watson faces off-field issues and requested a trade prior to that. If the star quarterback plays, he'll have to work with a talent-thin roster managed by first-year head coach David Culley.It was just two seasons ago that the Texans offered a tough challenge to the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round, but it's hard to picture this roster succeeding even if Watson remains with the team. Houston finished last season with a 4-12 record despite its signal-caller tossing a league-high 4,823 yards with a 112.4 passer rating.10. Jacksonville JaguarsSuper Bowl history: Have never appeared in Super Bowl. Last conference-championship appearance came in 2017 vs. New England PatriotsUnlike the first two teams on this list, the Jaguars were able to answer some of their biggest questions this offseason. The main one came through the draft with the selection of Trevor Lawrence, the top quarterback prospect in recent memory. The Jaguars made another important change on the sideline, hiring legendary college head coach Urban Meyer.Jacksonville's ceiling with Lawrence and Meyer is very high, but the Lombardi Trophy will remain out of reach for the franchise until the first overall pick proves himself in the NFL.9. Atlanta Falcons Todd Kirkland / Getty Images Sport / GettySuper Bowl history: Lost to Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXXIII, Patriots in Super Bowl LIIt's tough to believe the Falcons' Super Bowl window with Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, and Co. is even open at this point. Atlanta has declined year after year since losing Super Bowl LI, and it reached a low point with a 4-12 record last season.The Falcons still possess enough firepower to have an above-average offense, but the defense has too many holes. There's a reason why Ryan and Jones were linked to trade rumors this year; Atlanta is closer to a full rebuild than it is being a Super Bowl contender.8. Carolina PanthersSuper Bowl history: Lost to Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVIII, Broncos in Super Bowl 50Though the Panthers improved in Matt Rhule's first year as head coach, they still have a long way to go. However, the team should continue to improve after a busy offseason, during which it added talent to both sides of the ball. Defensively, Rhule and Co. welcome free-agent edge rusher Haason Reddick and first-round cornerback Jaycee Horn.The Panthers made their biggest move on offense, though, trading for Sam Darnold. Acquiring the quarterback ahead of his age-24 campaign is a low-risk, high-reward deal, as Carolina hopes the 2018 third overall pick still has untapped upside after he struggled with the New York Jets.7. Cincinnati BengalsSuper Bowl history: Lost to San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XVI, XXIIIIt'd be jumping the gun to say the Bengals are ready to threaten the NFL's best teams at the moment. But what rookie quarterback Joe Burrow did before he went down with a knee injury should provide optimism. Burrow should have extra help in his sophomore campaign, too, as running back Joe Mixon will be healthier and Cincy added wideout Ja'Marr Chase in the draft.But the Bengals still have too many unanswered questions on the offensive line and defensive side of the ball. Drafting Burrow was the first and most important step toward a championship, but Cincinnati's unproven roster suggests a potential Super Bowl run is still a long-term goal.6. Los Angeles Chargers Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettySuper Bowl history: Lost to 49ers in Super Bowl XXIXThough none of the following teams are betting favorites or relative powerhouses, they're in a different tier than those above. Each appears to at least already have the weapons to win a Super Bowl.The Chargers rostered proven playmakers on both sides of the ball before finding one of the NFL's most exciting young quarterbacks in Justin Herbert. Los Angeles has since focused on improving the offensive line, with 2021 first-round tackle Rashawn Slater being the latest addition.Granted, the Chargers have flaws: they have a history of falling short, some of their star players have injury issues, and first-year head coach Brandon Staley still has a lot to prove. But don't be surprised if L.A. climbs multiple spots on this list sooner rather than later; Herbert looked like a legit franchise signal-caller as a rookie.5. Minnesota VikingsSuper Bowl history: Lost to Chiefs in Super Bowl IV, Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VIII, Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl IX, then-Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XIThe Vikings are among the most talented teams without a Super Bowl, but it's getting tougher to believe Minnesota will compete for a championship with its current roster. The team is coming off a 7-9 campaign, which tied its worst record under coach Mike Zimmer, largely thanks to a disastrous defense.Minnesota now hopes Zimmer's experience and the returns of Danielle Hunter, Eric Kendricks, and Anthony Barr, who all battled injuries last season, will help fix the unit. If the defense can make even marginal improvements, an offense featuring Dalvin Cook, Adam Thielen, and Justin Jefferson should be able to lead the Vikings back to the playoffs.4. Arizona CardinalsSuper Bowl history: Lost to Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLIIIThe Cardinals are on the right track. In 2020, Arizona's defense was above average in both scoring and yards for the first time since 2015, and its biggest acquisitions this offseason - free-agent lineman J.J. Watt and first-round linebacker Zaven Collins - should make for an even stronger unit.On the other side of the ball, Kyler Murray improved in his sophomore campaign. It's just a matter of time until the quarterback truly breaks out, and based on Arizona's latest additions to its receiving corps, that could come sooner rather than later. Despite some issues on the offensive line and in the secondary, Cardinals fans are witnessing the construction of a really good football team.3. Tennessee Titans Stacy Revere / Getty Images Sport / GettySuper Bowl history: Lost to then-St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXIVThe Titans' Super Bowl chances with Derrick Henry, Ryan Tannehill, and coach Mike Vrabel looked stronger in previous years. Tennessee's defense has taken a step back each year over the last three campaigns, and the club's 2021 offseason moves don't promise those issues will be fixed anytime soon.With that being said, Henry continues to dominate opposing defenders, Tannehill is playing the best football of his career, and the Titans reached the AFC Championship Game just two seasons ago. The supporting cast may not be as talented this year, but the most important weapons are still there.2. Cleveland BrownsSuper Bowl history: Have never appeared in Super Bowl. Last conference-championship appearance came in 1989 vs. BroncosIt's easy to understand why the Browns addressed their defensive holes so aggressively this offseason: Cleveland has an explosive offense and enough individual talent throughout its roster to compete in the AFC. Plus, reigning Coach of the Year Kevin Stefanski apparently figured out how to finally put everything together for the Browns, helping them reach the divisional round last season.The next step is to find out whether the Browns' new additions to the secondary (Troy Hill, Greg Newsome, and John Johnson) and linebackers unit (Anthony Walker and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah) will meet expectations. That may be the only thing stopping Cleveland's star-studded roster from achieving more playoff success.1. Buffalo BillsSuper Bowl history: Lost to New York Giants in Super Bowl XXV, Washington in Super Bowl XXVI, Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl XXVII, XXVIIIThe Bills are coming off their best campaign in almost 30 years, and there are plenty of reasons to believe Buffalo will be a serious contender for years to come.It begins with Josh Allen, who looks to be among the best young quarterbacks in the game. Allen turns 25 this season, and his offensive supporting cast remains solid thanks to a tremendous job done by Buffalo's front office.Bills fans would love to see an improvement on defense so the unit can offer a bigger challenge to other offensive juggernauts in the AFC. Using their first two draft picks on edge rushers is a step in the right direction.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It appears the Detroit Lions once had another Campbell in mind for their head coaching position in 2021.Before officially hiring Dan Campbell, Detroit offered Iowa State boss Matt Campbell an eight-year deal worth $68.5 million to leave the college ranks, according to CBS Sports' Dennis Dodd."(Campbell) sees his upward arch better at Iowa State," Dodd said.The Lions ultimately landed on the former New Orleans Saints assistant in January, a move that was viewed as a surprise around the league.Campbell has been one of college football's most promising coaches over the last few years. He's a three-time Big 12 Coach of the Year and led the Cyclones to their most successful campaign in school history this past season.The 41-year-old had received interest from a number of NFL teams over the last three offseasons before signing the eight-year extension this past February.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Washington Football Team are overhauling their playing surface, which has been criticized by players for years.Washington has begun a two-month process that will involve removing and replacing the sod and renovating the drainage and irrigation systems, reports Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post.It's the first major renovation of the playing surface at FedEx Field since it opened in 1997.The field conditions have been a point of derision for players. Robert Griffin III tore his ACL and LCL on the playing surface in 2012. Former Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins said the field "has never been that great" in the second half of the season, and former receiver Pierre Garcon called it "pretty nasty" in 2012.The decision to upgrade the field was spearheaded by Washington head coach Ron Rivera and president Jason Wright.Copyright © 2021 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.With the NFL draft behind us and almost all of the notable free agents signed, it's time to identify this season's fantasy breakout candidates.Jalen Hurts, QB, Eagles Mitchell Leff / Getty Images Sport / GettyOver the last couple of years, the fantasy community has really improved its ability to identify the next breakout quarterback. After watching passers like Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson turn in superstar sophomore seasons as late-round fantasy picks, managers sharpened their focus and correctly nailed Kyler Murray as the next in line in 2020 - moving his ADP out of that value range.We may see the same thing happen with Hurts, who took over as the Eagles' starting signal-caller down the stretch and delivered an impressive finish to his rookie campaign. Hurts averaged the eighth most fantasy points per game (21.99) from Week 13 to Week 16, helping many bring home fantasy titles in the process.The 22-year-old's journey was somewhat reminiscent of Jackson's debut season, in which he relied heavily on his legs to keep the offense moving. Hurts racked up 238 rushing yards in his three starts - a predictable outcome given his college success as a dual-threat QB.However, his back-to-back performances of over 300 passing yards were surprising. Even if we underrated his arm as a prospect, Philly's pass-catching corps really lacked star power in 2020. With veterans Zach Ertz and Alshon Jeffery fading, Hurts was forced to rely on tight end Dallas Goedert, running back Miles Sanders, and inconsistent first-year wideout Jalen Reagor through the air.To put the two 300-yard outings in context, that's a feat Jackson has still only accomplished once in his three seasons as a pro.Whether Hurts can turn that small sample size into top-10 stats over the long term remains to been seen, but his production during the final month is exactly what you want to witness from an ascending fantasy quarterback. He'll also have the benefit of a healthier offensive line and a new target in first-rounder DeVonta Smith.Hurts' rushing numbers provide a high floor as well as a potentially difference-making ceiling for anyone willing to roll the dice on him in the middle rounds. Unless his ADP rises significantly over the next couple of months, he'll find a home on a lot of my rosters.Other Breakout QB Candidates:

Matthew Stafford can't wait to play quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams.The Rams acquired Stafford in a trade with the Detroit Lions this offseason, and the signal-caller will now have a strong supporting class, which might help explain his feelings ahead of the 2021 campaign."It's been a while (since I've been this excited for a season)," Stafford told Los Angeles Times' Sam Farmer. "We had some good teams in Detroit, and I'm excited every single year because I love playing this game. But those years we made the playoffs, I thought we had good teams. But I'm very excited about playing for this team, the Rams organization."Stafford played his first 12 NFL seasons with the Lions, who drafted him first overall in 2009. The 33-year-old posted a 74-90-1 record as a starter in Detroit and left the franchise as its all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns.The Lions made the postseason three times with Stafford under center, losing in the wild-card game on every occasion. Detroit also often failed to upgrade the unit on the other side of the ball, with the team's defense placing in the top 10 for scoring and yards just once throughout Stafford's tenure.In Los Angeles, Stafford will join a team with a defense that ranked first in the NFL last year and features several stars, including three-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald."I'm excited about trying to get to know these guys," Stafford added. "To win as consistently as the Rams have won in the last four or five years, you've got to have good people. You can't just have good players and good coaches. It's a really fun thing for me to be a part of, just trying to immerse myself in the team."The Rams have won 43 games over the last four seasons, earning three playoff berths. Los Angeles' deepest postseason run over that span ended with a loss to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LIII.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL Players Association had the right idea when it encouraged players to skip this offseason's organized team activities. These workouts, after all, are voluntary - a word with a specific meaning that long ago was bargained into the NFLPA's collective bargaining agreement with the league.What the players didn't count on was the NFL's willingness to weaponize a good-faith loophole in that same CBA. But the union's blind spot here is less revealing than the league's attitude toward the safety and well-being of its workforce.Let's be clear about something: Denver Broncos right tackle Ja'Wuan James tore his Achilles not by hang gliding, or by playing with fireworks, or by walking a tightrope between skyscrapers while blindfolded and smoking a cigarette. He was working out to prepare himself for a football season that doesn't begin for another four months. He was doing his dang job. The Broncos designated his injury as non-football-related anyway. They later rescinded millions of dollars in salary guarantees and released him.The NFL, for good measure, piled on by sending teams a gratuitous memo reminding them that injuries "sustained away from the club facility, without authorization by club staff, will be considered a non-football injury for which a club will not be responsible for the player's compensation or other benefits." But this is a bad-faith reading of how that CBA provision has long been interpreted by both sides, as NFLPA executive director for external affairs George Atallah pointed out on a recent podcast with USA Today's Mike Jones."In most cases, there is a settlement or some sort of agreement if a player is working out in order to get better, under the coach's direction, away from the facility," Atallah told Jones.This should apply to James, too, since he had been working out "under a program recommended to him by his coach," the NFLPA said in a memo crafted in response to the NFL's.J.C. Tretter. Icon Sportswire / Getty Images"I'm sure that locker room's waiting to see," NFLPA president and Cleveland Browns center JC Tretter told ESPN's Dan Graziano. "Because why would I prepare as hard as I can to come back at training camp in the best shape ever when, if something goes wrong, the team's going to throw me under the bus the first chance they get? So I think it's going to be an interesting decision by Denver on what they want to do because I'm sure the guys in their locker room are looking, and I'm sure guys in other locker rooms are looking too."Understand: The CBA is quite clear that "no Club official may indicate to a player that the Club's offseason workout program or classroom instruction is not voluntary (or that a player's failure to participate in a workout program or classroom instruction will result in the player's failure to make the Club or result in any other adverse consequences affecting his working conditions)."Yet the league's own memo - an unprecedented action, even for an outfit as paternalistic as the NFL - actively encourages teams to do exactly what the CBA says they cannot while also leveraging a player's injury to instill fear in its workforce. Keep that in mind the next time the league tries to tell you about its interest in players' health.Broncos CEO Joe Ellis in 2018. RJ Sangosti / Denver Post / Getty ImagesIn his interview with Jones, Atallah followed the league's position to its logical conclusion."There are 29 weeks between the end of the Super Bowl and the start of training camp," Atallah said. "The logical extension of the argument that people are presenting is either a) nobody should work out for 20 of the 29 weeks, or b) the only place they should ever work out is at the facility. Those are the only foolproof ways for players to protect themselves if you're going to make the argument that they should only work out at the facility."Obviously, players aren't going to stop working out during those other 20 weeks; they're professionals, and the nature of their work requires them to maintain their peak physical shape, even out of season. But this is why Atallah's point matters: As Tretter recently blogged, the league sought to make the offseason program mandatory during the 2011 CBA talks, but the players successfully negotiated to keep it voluntary.(Coaches want it to be mandatory for obvious reasons. But owners - i.e., the league's negotiators, don't much care because the structure of the offseason program has no effect on revenues. That's something else to keep in mind here. And while agents are frequently quoted calling out the NFLPA, an agent's job is to represent a specific client's interest, rather than to take a macro view of collective labor dynamics.)To put things in context, the NFL is basically attempting an end-around on the collective bargaining process simply because it thinks it can. Management has always counted on fans and voices in the football press to take its side, to see no difference between the playing of a game and the multi-billion–dollar business that game supports. And there's nothing trivial about that distinction: Even if your instinct is to scoff at the money players make and the workplace conditions they want for themselves - compensation that is far more precarious than most people realize - why root for someone like Jerry Jones to accrue more for himself instead?Jerry Jones, left, and Roger Goodell. Greg Nelson / Sports Illustrated / Getty Images"I think it's coming down to control - you'll do what we tell you to do, when we tell you to do it, how we tell you to do it," Tretter told Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer. "They haven't really heard players tell them no before."It's the players, rather than the union's staff, who are pushing so hard to make voluntary workouts truly voluntary. A sizeable contingent of players is frustrated about being pressured to show up for something that's not required, even as these players do all they can to stay in shape and prepare for the season. The pandemic wiped out last year's offseason program entirely. By September, did anyone notice?Many players on most teams showed up this week for Phase 2 of the offseason program, which includes some on-field work. But as Graziano reported last week, roughly half of the league's teams negotiated changes to their offseason schedules as a result of the NFLPA's push. That's a win for the players. Perhaps they're catching on to the idea that they have something - their labor - that can be weaponized, too.Dom Cosentino is a senior features writer at theScore.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Philadelphia Eagles intend to hold an open competition for the starting quarterback gig, and that's more than fine with Jalen Hurts.On Wednesday, Hurts told the media he's ready to earn the QB1 job after being asked about the organization's commitment to him."No one is above (competition)," Hurts said. "Everybody’s got to go to work. Rent is due every day. It’s always been that way for me. Always been a get better mentality every day. Grow every day, be a better leader every day, be a better quarterback every day. And when that rent’s due, I don’t plan on missing no payments."I'm not above anything with competition."Philadelphia traded Carson Wentz earlier this offseason, seemingly paving a way for Hurts to slide into a permanent starting role. However, the club also added veteran signal-caller Joe Flacco and head coach Nick Sirianni declined to name Hurts the starter last month, stating his desire to have competition at every position.The 22-year-old says he is looking forward to getting a chance to work with an established quarterback like Flacco."Joe's been great. The knowledge he brings to the quarterback room is very beneficial for me," Hurts noted.Hurts, a second-round draft pick in 2020, started four games for the Eagles during his rookie campaign, completing 52% of his passes and throwing six touchdowns to four interceptions.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Before drafting Trey Lance third overall this year, San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch was honest with Jimmy Garoppolo, explaining that the veteran signal-caller's recent injury issues were a factor in the team's decision to select another quarterback."From Day 1, we've been very up-front with Jimmy," Lynch said, according to Kevin Patra of NFL.com. "When I went to Jimmy, I told him the truth. Like, 'Look, we have made a decision that we're going to pursue a quarterback this offseason. You know, Jimmy, when you've played, you've been tremendous, and the record speaks to that. We feel like there's room for growth. The biggest thing has been it's hard to keep you on the field.' That's not an easy thing to tell a player, but Jimmy took it tremendously."Garoppolo has missed 23 games since joining the 49ers via trade from the New England Patriots midway through the 2017 campaign. He appeared in just three games in 2018 due to a torn ACL and played in only six contests last season due to an ankle injury.The 29-year-old is 24-9 as a starter with the 49ers, including the playoffs. He's completed 67.5% of his pass attempts for 3,795 yards and 24 touchdowns against 13 interceptions per 16 games played since moving to San Francisco.The 49ers reportedly would consider moving Garoppolo this offseason in exchange for a first-round pick, but even after Lance's arrival, Lynch said he's focused on keeping both quarterbacks."My other commitment was, 'But here's the good news, Jimmy. We don't want you to go anywhere,'" Lynch said. "'We want you to be here, and our ownership has made the commitment that we can do that. We can fit it in our cap, and we think it's a good situation for you; probably not the one you ultimately want to hear. I'm sure you want to be the long-term guy. There's a flip side to that. You still could be.'"Garroppolo recently said he's ready to "help Trey out" in the transition from college to the NFL.Lynch said in February he has no doubt that a healthy Garoppolo will be San Francisco's starter in 2021.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Indianapolis Colts receiver Parris Campbell has finally been cleared to return.Campbell saw his season end in Week 2 last season after suffering injuries to his PCL and MCL. He says he received full clearance last week and has completely recovered from the knee injury."I'm 100%," Campbell said Wednesday, according to The Athletic's Stephen Holder.The Colts drafted the former Ohio State receiver in the second round of the 2019 draft, but he's struggled to stay on the field since entering the NFL. Campbell has appeared in only nine games and registered just 198 total receiving yards.Campbell changed his jersey number this offseason, going from No. 15 to No. 1. He hopes the change will mark a new chapter of his career."Wanted a fresh start," Campbell said, according to Kevin Bowen of 1075 The Fan, adding, "I think it looks fast on the field."Now healthy, the 23-year-old wideout rejoins a Colts receiving group featuring the likes of T.Y. Hilton, who re-signed this offseason, and Michael Pittman.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Antonio Brown must clear one more hurdle before officially re-signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.Head coach Bruce Arians said Tuesday that the veteran receiver will have to pass a physical following a minor knee procedure."(Brown) has to pass the physical," Arians told Matt Matera of Pewter Report. "Hopefully, we'll have a scope on Tuesday - he's getting his knee cleaned out - and everything will work out fine."Brown's agent announced in April that his client re-signed on a one-year contract worth up to $6.25 million. The deal contains $3.1 million fully guaranteed and a $2-million signing bonus.The seven-time Pro Bowler joined Tampa Bay midway through last year after serving an eight-game ban for multiple violations of the NFL's personal conduct policy. He then helped the Buccaneers capture Super Bowl LV."We wanted AB back," Arians said. "He was a model citizen the whole time he's been here. We wanted him back and he's never had surgery in his life. It's just a matter of physical done."Brown amassed 45 receptions for 483 yards and four touchdowns across eight games last season.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

One of the marquee games on the 2021 schedule sees the Tampa Bay Buccaneers visit the New England Patriots. And though it's billed as Tom Brady's return to Foxborough, it will also be a homecoming for his teammate, Rob Gronkowski.Brady hasn't publicly discussed returning to Gillette Stadium as a visitor for the first time in his career, but Gronkowski recently shared his thoughts on the highly anticipated matchup."That's going to be crazy. It's going to be pretty epic. It's definitely going to be emotional for sure, I would say," the 32-year-old tight end said."I just had a great nine years (there). Probably the best nine years of my life. It was the beginning of basically my whole football career there. It's definitely going to be heartfelt when I go back."Gronkowski had a Hall of Fame-worthy run with New England, winning three Super Bowls, earning four first-team All-Pro nods, and setting a franchise record with 79 touchdowns. His 7,861 receiving yards were also the most by a Patriots tight end.He suffered a wide array of injuries during that nine-year stint and retired after winning the Super Bowl in 2018. But he decided to return to the NFL to reunite with Brady, joining the Buccaneers ahead of the 2020 season. He went on to catch two touchdown passes in Tampa's Super Bowl LV victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.Gronkowski, Brady, and the Buccaneers visit the Patriots in Week 4 of the 2021 NFL season.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Darius Leonard is looking to cash in this offseason.Entering the final year of his rookie contract, the 25-year-old is eyeing a lucrative long-term extension with the Indianapolis Colts."You know what you've done, and you know what you deserve," Leonard said Tuesday, according to Zak Keefer of The Athletic. "Hopefully, they see as much value as I see."Leonard has exceeded expectations in his first three NFL seasons and was named the 2018 AP Rookie Defensive Player of the Year. He's also earned two Pro Bowl nods and was a first-team All-Pro in both 2018 and 2020."They take value in me," Leonard said of the Colts on Tuesday, according to Nick Shook of NFL.com. "Hopefully, that will show. I think I put in enough work the past three years; I give it my all day in and day out, never miss a day. Once I step on that field, I give everything I got, and they know that. Hopefully, we get everything settled, and hopefully, we're good to go."Known for his ability to make tackles all over the field, Leonard led the Colts with 132 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and three sacks in 2020. The 2018 second-round pick has tallied 416 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, and 15 sacks since entering the league.Indianapolis has emphasized that it wants to keep its young core together as long as possible. The team recently exercised the fifth-year option on All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson's rookie contract.The Colts could prevent Leonard from hitting free agency after the 2021 season by placing the franchise tag on the standout tackler. But there's optimism the two sides can reach an extension before Leonard becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2022.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Washington Football Team has given longtime offensive tackle Morgan Moses permission to seek a trade, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Moses has started every game at right tackle for Washington since the 2015 campaign, amassing 104 total appearances since entering the NFL as a third-round pick in 2014.The 30-year-old is coming off the best season of his career, according to PFF, but he saw Washington add multiple offensive tackles this offseason. The team signed free agent Charles Leno and recently drafted Samuel Cosmi in the second round.Moses allowed five sacks and 13 quarterback hits while committing six penalties last season, according to PFF.The Virginia product is signed through the 2022 campaign and is set to make $7.75 million this year, per Spotrac.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is on track to play Week 1, nine months and 10 days after he underwent reconstructive knee surgery, his doctor said.The former No. 1 overall pick is less likely to play in the preseason, as doctors want don't want him taking contact until the nine-month mark post-surgery."He's on track for full go for start of the season," Dr. Neal ElAttrache texted ESPN's Adam Schefter. "He's doing all the work. He's worked his tail off and been an amazingly mature participant in his recovery. He's focused and great to work with."ElAttrache operated on Burrow on Dec. 2, 2020, after the quarterback tore his ACL and MCL in Week 11 against the Washington Football Team. Players typically return from ACL surgeries in 9-12 months, but the additional damage Burrow suffered was expected to keep him out closer to a year.Burrow threw for 2,688 yards with 13 touchdowns and five interceptions while completing 65.3% of his passes before his season ended."We are very happy with his recovery to say the least," ElAttrache said. "Notwithstanding the nature of his injury and extent of his reconstruction, his knee is performing perfectly."We just had him tested out here with a high-tech video and biomechanical evaluation and he was ahead of where we anticipated and well into the return to performance phase of his recovery. With him already performing this way, it's 'all systems go' for the start of the season."Burrow, 24, said in April that he was ahead of schedule and expected to take the first snap of the season opener. Cincinnati will host the Minnesota Vikings on Sept. 12.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Matt Ryan isn't ready for NFL life without Julio Jones just yet.Ryan noted how crucial the star pass-catcher is to his success amid recent reports the Atlanta Falcons received calls from teams inquiring about Jones and the team's willingness to do a potential deal."I don't know (what Atlanta's offense would look like without Jones)," the veteran quarterback said Tuesday, according to ESPN's Michael Rothstein. "He's probably impacted my career more significantly than any other player."The franchise can't trade Jones before June 1 due to salary-cap reasons, as it would allow the Falcons to spread his remaining bonus money over two years. Atlanta could be thinking to the future under new head coach Arthur Smith with young weapons Calvin Ridley, Russell Gage, Kyle Pitts, and Hayden Hurst already on the roster.Ryan noted he isn't involved in the business side of football but will never hesitate to support his top wideout."From a player standpoint, he's my teammate," he said, per Rothstein. "He's my guy."Ryan and Jones have been one of the NFL's top offensive duos since the latter entered the league in 2011. The two have a combined three First-Team All-Pro selections and 11 Pro Bowls, with the veteran passer capturing MVP in 2016.The Falcons are coming off a disappointing 4-12 season in which Jones missed seven games due to a lingering hamstring injury.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It appears Tom Brady will appear on television screens beyond NFL games this season.Fox Entertainment CEO Charlie Collier revealed Monday that the network was working with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback on an unscripted series, according to Deadline's Peter White.Collier failed to reveal further details regarding the show, but it's expected to be produced in collaboration with Brady's company, 199 Productions.The 43-year-old won his seventh Super Bowl title last season with the Buccaneers, also capturing his fifth Super Bowl MVP.ESPN is also working on a new documentary series surrounding Brady, set to air this fall.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Courtland Sutton is nearing a return to the field after tearing his ACL early in the 2020 campaign.The Denver Broncos wide receiver said the "game plan" is to fully participate in training camp in preparation for the upcoming season."(My knee) feels really good," Sutton said. "To be at the stage that I'm at right now, post-surgery, and to be able to go out and do what I do and it feels the way it does, it gives me hope and promise for the future because I'm only going to continue to attack rehab as I have."Even into the season. Just continuing to make sure that I'm taking care of my temple. Making sure that my body's right so I can go out there and perform with the boys."The 2018 second-round pick suffered the injury in Week 2 last year, ending a promising campaign. Sutton was coming off a breakout 2019 in which he caught 72 passes for 1,112 yards and six touchdowns, earning his first Pro Bowl nod.Upon his return to the field, the 25-year-old will lead an exciting young group of receivers in Denver that also includes Jerry Jeudy, Tim Patrick, and KJ Hamler."We have weapons in every category that you're looking for," he said. "Speed, size, catching ability, route running - I feel like we're pretty diverse in our room. I was excited watching those dudes have the success that they had this past season. I'm even more excited to be able to be in there with them this upcoming season."Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.