Find positional rankings, additional analysis, and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.The fantasy strength of schedule matrix is used to determine the overall difficulty of players' matchups from Week 1 to Week 18.The No. 1 rank means the team is forecasted to see the easiest slate, while No. 32 will face defenses projected to allow the fewest fantasy points to that position.Our model takes into account several variables, including historical defensive data, offseason roster changes, new coaching staffs, home/road splits, and individual player matchups.This table shouldn't ultimately decide whether you draft someone, but rather serve as an additional data point to help break ties between players you're considering. The impact on players at the extremes (green or red) will be far greater than the differences among those in the middle range (yellow).Fantasy Strength of ScheduleQuarterbacks

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell's dedication to his team's success is on another level.Campbell recently talked to Lions owner Sheila Ford Hamp about having a pet lion to walk around the facilities and motivate his players."I don't think we're going to be able to do it, but I would love to literally just have a pet lion," he said on "Pardon My Take." "Just a legit pet lion, on a big-ass chain. He really is my pet. We just walk around the building. We go out to practice. We're in seven-on-seven. We're behind the kicker when he's kicking."He added: "On command, you could train him. If one of your groups didn't do it you can just take him over to their section and having him take a dump right there in the middle of where their section is at."Campbell's willingness to bring a Super Bowl trophy to Detroit still has more to it.The 45-year-old coach was asked if he'd give up an arm to a lion for a championship ring, and he didn't hesitate."Yes, I would," he said.Campbell's interviews are quickly becoming must-watch content for Lions fans. He had a memorable introductory press conference earlier this year, saying his club will "bite a kneecap off" its opponents in 2021.The Lions hired Campbell in January to replace head coach Matt Patricia. Campbell previously served as the assistant head coach and tight ends coach for the New Orleans Saints from 2016-20.Detroit last made the playoffs in 2016 and its most recent postseason victory dates back to the 1991 campaign.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Indianapolis Colts players have agreed to convene for two weeks of team activities, and in exchange, the club will cancel the rest of the offseason program.The agreement comes while many NFL players boycott voluntary offseason work with backing from the union. Minicamp in June is the only mandatory part of the offseason program, though players who aren't engaged in a contract dispute typically attend voluntary workouts and 10 days of organized team activities (OTAs)."This is the best of both worlds," said center Ryan Kelly, who serves as the Colts' union representative, according to WISH-TV's Olivia Ray. "We get to be on the field. It's all individual, no unnecessary risk."Kelly and the Colts' leadership committee brokered the deal with head coach Frank Reich and general manager Chris Ballard. The two-week program will wrap up by Memorial Day, and Indianapolis won't see its players again until training camp in late July.Previously, the NFL laid out a three-phase offseason program in which teams could run non-contact drills from May 17-21 before moving into the 10 days for OTAs and three-day mandatory minicamp.

Veteran edge rusher Ryan Kerrigan is signing with the Philadelphia Eagles after spending the previous decade with the NFC East rival Washington Football Team.

Ryan Kerrigan appears to have played his final game for the Washington Football Team.The 10-year veteran, who has spent his entire career with the Washington franchise, bid farewell to the team on Instagram late Sunday night.

Undrafted defensive back Juantarius Bryant says he's the victim of a cruel hoax after arriving at the Atlanta Falcons' rookie minicamp only to learn the team never sent him an invite.

Veteran Andy Dalton will be the Chicago Bears' QB1 at OTAs, despite the team trading up to take Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields with the No. 11 pick in the draft last month."Andy is the starter. Andy's going to get the one reps," Bears head coach Matt Nagy said Sunday, according to NFL.com's Adam Maya.The Bears signed Dalton to a one-year, $10-million deal in March. Fields, however, has been open about wanting to win the starting job."I think everybody on our team should be striving for a starting job, and if you're not, then there's no reason for you to be here. So, of course, I'm going to do everything that I can to get that starting job," Fields said recently, per NFL.com's Grant Gordon.Despite the excitement surrounding the potential answer under center for a club that has long sought a franchise quarterback, Nagy said the Bears have to be cognizant of not bringing Fields along too quickly."I know that time is the biggest question right now for Justin, and I completely understand that, because there is an excitement, there is that want for all of us to see what Justin can do," Nagy said. "We'd be lying to you if we didn't say that or believe that. But we got to make sure as we go through this thing that we also do what's best for the Bears and for Justin."Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Giants signed former first-round pick Kelvin Benjamin, the team announced Sunday.While Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that the former Carolina Panthers wideout - who hasn't played since 2018 - will switch to tight end, Giants head coach Joe Judge said Friday that Benjamin won't have a set role."He's a big guy. He's always been a big receiver," Judge said. "He'll work receiver. He's working a little bit flex tight end as well. I wouldn't really pin him down to any one position at this point."New York called Benjamin a receiver when announcing his signing.Giants general manager Dave Gettleman drafted Benjamin while with the Panthers in 2014, but the 30-year-old failed to live up to expectations.Benjamin recorded 168 catches for 2,424 yards and 18 touchdowns in three-and-a-half seasons with the Panthers before being traded to the Buffalo Bills midway through the 2017 campaign. The 6-foot-5, 245-pounder last played for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2018.The Giants also signed free-agent running back Corey Clement.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer told reporters that first-round running back Travis Etienne will take all of his minicamp reps at wide receiver, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport."Worst case scenario, you have a running back that’s elite with receiver skills," Meyer said.The rookie tailback finds himself in a competition for carries among a group of runners headlined by James Robinson, who rushed for 1,070 yards as an undrafted rookie in 2020. Jacksonville also signed veteran Carlos Hyde this offseason.Etienne, alongside first overall selection Trevor Lawrence, are expected to be key figures in a young Jaguars offense. The rusher's pass-catching ability could help him earn more snaps during the regular season.The 22-year-old left Clemson as the Atlantic Coast Conference’s all-time rushing leader with 4,952 yards. Etienne also displayed his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield, with 102 receptions for 1,155 yards.Earlier Saturday, Jacksonville revealed that the 25th overall selection would wear No. 1 after spending his collegiate career wearing No. 9.Regardless of where he lines up, Etienne is expected to receive plenty of targets in his debut campaign.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Dallas Cowboys fully expect quarterback Dak Prescott to be on the practice field once training camp kicks off in July."I have no reason not to think that," head coach Mike McCarthy said Saturday when asked if Prescott will be available for training camp, according to Todd Archer of ESPN. "I think this week in Phase 2 will be a nice step in that direction."The offseason's Phase 2 allows players to perform only individual drills. Players will be permitted to wear helmets and execute offense vs. defense drills in Phase 3, which is set to begin in June.Prescott fractured and dislocated his right ankle last October and faced a four-to-six-month recovery window after undergoing surgery. The 27-year-old recently said he's "getting close" to being fully healthy."He'll do most things," McCarthy said of Prescott's participation at the Cowboys' organized team activities. "There's a plan in place that's coordinated with (athletic trainers Britt Brown and Jim Maurer) and the training room so I know he feels really good. He's really had some excellent workouts here in the last couple weeks."Prescott became the second-highest-paid quarterback in the NFL after inking a four-year, $160-million extension in March. He's posted a 42-27 record as a starter while earning two Pro Bowl berths since entering the league as a fourth-round pick in 2016.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Miami Dolphins used their No. 6 pick to reunite Tua Tagovailoa with former Alabama teammate Jaylen Waddle, and the rookie wide receiver says the quarterback's presence is helping him acclimate to the NFL."He's just a natural-born leader. He's confident, knows what to do, and he's very smart," Waddle said of Tagovailoa on Thursday after signing his rookie contract, according to the South Florida Sun Sentinel's Safid Deen."Everything you look for in a leader, I feel like Tua showcases and presents."Tagovailoa had an inconsistent rookie campaign after being taken fifth overall last year. He split time with Ryan Fitzpatrick and was twice benched for shaky performances late in the season while Miami made a playoff push.The 23-year-old finished the season with 1,814 yards and 11 touchdowns against five interceptions in 10 games (nine starts). He also rushed for 109 yards and three scores.While the Dolphins reportedly flirted with the possibility of trading for Deshaun Watson prior to the Houston Texans quarterback's legal issues, they now appear set on giving Tagovailoa every opportunity to establish himself as a franchise player.In addition to bolstering Tagovailoa's receiver group with Waddle and free-agent signing Will Fuller, Miami opted not to bring back Fitzpatrick, who joined the Washington Football Team in free agency.The AFC East club did seemingly sign an insurance policy in backup Jacoby Brissett, who started for the Indianapolis Colts in 2017 and 2019.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The official 2021 NFL schedule has finally been released, and while it's impossible to make a perfectly fair slate for all 32 teams - nor is that the goal - some clubs have it worse than others. That's never been more evident than this season, with some franchises getting fewer home games than others and all having to play an additional game without an extra bye week.Some games from the upcoming campaign's schedule stand out in particular as classic spots to bet against the spread. Here are five games worth circling early:Bills @ Steelers (Week 1)It's hard to envision a bad scheduling spot starting in Week 1, but that's what happens when you pit a slow-starting team like the Steelers against a strong first-week team in the Bills.Over the last 10 years, only one club has a worse ATS record in Week 1 than Pittsburgh (2-8 ATS), which pulled away late in last year's opening week win to snap a three-game losing streak ATS in that spot. Conversely, Buffalo is tied for the most Week 1 ATS wins (7) in that 10-year stretch and is 3-1 ATS since Sean McDermott took over in 2017.The Bills have claimed the last two meetings in this series and have covered two of their last three home games against the Steelers. This simply isn't the matchup Pittsburgh bettors would have hoped for in Week 1.Jaguars @ Seahawks (Week 8)The last time the NFL shipped its teams overseas was in 2019 when all eight teams in the series were afflicted with the "London curse" - each one was either blown out or upset outright in its first game back in the states. That trend included the Jaguars, which extended their post-London record to 2-5 straight up / 3-3-1 ATS with a pair of 20-point defeats.This year the reward for Jacksonville's eighth trip to London in nine years is a follow-up journey to Seattle, where the Seahawks have won 76.9% of their games since drafting Russell Wilson in 2012 with a 59.2% cover rate. With a rookie quarterback likely leading the Jags through such treacherous waters, it's best to stay away from the road side in this one.Eagles @ Lions (Week 8)Whether it's because of location, rowdy fans, or the team's aggressive playing style, a road game against the Raiders has been hard to shake in recent years. Since 2013, teams that travel to face the silver and black are 18-39-2 ATS (31.6%) in the following game, while clubs playing a road game in that subsequent week are even worse at 5-17 ATS (22.7%).The trip to Las Vegas once again wore out teams in 2020 - visiting squads went 5-3 SU in the following game but just 2-6 ATS with two losses by more than 25 points and zero wins by more than a touchdown. The Eagles travel to Las Vegas in Week 7 and could be in trouble a week later at the Lions.Vikings @ Ravens (Week 9)The Ravens will enjoy a benefit in this game that only a handful of teams have ever seen before them: Four straight home games. In the last 20 seasons, only five other clubs have played at least four consecutive home matchups at any point during the regular season - those clubs went 5-0 ATS and outscored opponents by 15.4 points on average in that fourth contest.Baltimore will also be coming off a Week 8 bye, making it the fifth straight week this group will sleep in its own beds ahead of its meeting with the Vikings. John Harbaugh is 9-4 ATS after a regular-season bye week, and he's 9-5 ATS in his team's last 14 home games dating back to 2019.Buccaneers @ Washington (Week 10)While some coaches use the bye week to their advantage, some consistently squander the opportunity. Few do that more than Washington coach Ron Rivera, who has lost three straight ATS after a regular-season bye week and is 3-7 ATS over his career in that spot.Tom Brady struggled early on when opponents had an extra week to prepare, opening his career with a 4-7 ATS record in the regular season against a team coming off a bye. That isn't the case anymore - now the Buccaneers quarterback is a ridiculous 9-2 ATS since 2014, and he should be well-suited to extend that run in 2021.C 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.

The Denver Broncos released right tackle Ja'Wuan James, according to Ryan O'Halloran of the Denver Post.James tore his Achilles while training away from the team facility in early May.Broncos players were among the NFL's first to opt out of voluntary offseason workouts due to COVID-19 concerns. The NFLPA has continued to advise players not to attend voluntary practices.James was scheduled to make $10 million in base salary for the 2021 season. However, contracts aren't guaranteed for injuries suffered away from the team.The veteran offensive lineman is strongly considering filing a grievance through the players association over his potentially lost wages, a source told Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.

New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney missed the conditioning portion of practice at rookie camp Friday because his cleats were the wrong size.Toney looked to be uncomfortable throughout the session, and he played around with his footwear several times.

The Washington Football Team signed defensive back Bobby McCain to a one-year deal, his agent Drew Rosenhaus informed ESPN's Adam Schefter.McCain spent the first six years of his career with the Miami Dolphins but was cut last week after the team signed Jason McCourty.He transitioned to safety in 2019 and started 15 games at strong safety last season, recording 46 tackles and an interception.McCain joins a Washington secondary led by safeties Landon Collins and Kamren Curl, corners Kendall Fuller and William Jackson III, and third-round draft pick Benjamin St-Juste.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Denver Broncos wide receiver DaeSean Hamilton tore his ACL, sources told NFL Network's Taylor Bisciotti.The Broncos reportedly decided to cut ties with Hamilton on Thursday but held off on waiving him as trade interest picked up. A deal likely would've been finalized after rookie camp, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.A fourth-round pick in 2018, Hamilton has caught five touchdowns and put up 833 yards over 46 career appearances for Denver. Hamilton was buried on the Broncos' depth chart, which includes four promising wideouts in Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, K.J. Hamler, and Tim Patrick.Denver's right tackle, Ja'Wuan James, also suffered a significant injury while training earlier this offseason, as he tore his Achilles. Like James, Hamilton was working out away from the team facility, according to the Denver Post's Ryan O'Halloran.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL has updated its COVID-19 protocols after the CDC said Thursday it's safe for those who are fully vaccinated to not wear masks in most indoor and outdoor settings.As a result, fully vaccinated players and staff are no longer required to wear masks anywhere at team facilities, the league announced Friday.Still, teams must adhere to local and state regulations that may be more restrictive. For example, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said the state will continue with its indoor mask mandate despite the CDC's updated policy.The NFL's updated protocols went into effect Friday with rookie minicamps underway.Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski - who won Coach of the Year in his first season at the helm - joked about being able to see the faces of his staff and players."There were some people, I didn't realize that's what they looked like," he said, according to NFL Network's Aditi Kinkhabwala.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

First-round draft pick Justin Fields believes he's equipped to handle the pressure that comes with being the quarterback for the Chicago Bears."I'm made for this. I'm built for this. It's nothing new to me," Fields said, according to NBC Sports' Adam Hoge.He added: "Just like you said, I've been kind of in the spotlight since high school."The Bears drafted Fields after trading up to the No. 11 selection. He joins a franchise that's still looking for its first quarterback to eclipse 4,000 passing yards in a season.Chicago is set to take it slow with Fields, as it plans to enter the season with Andy Dalton as the starting quarterback. The Ohio State product said he's going to do his best to win the job."I think everybody on our team should be striving for a starting job and if you're not, then there's no reason for you to be here. So, of course, I'm going to do everything that I can to get that starting job," Fields said, according to Grant Gordon of NFL.com.The young signal-caller adds that his role for 2021 is ultimately up to head coach Matt Nagy but that he is comfortable with the team's approach to his development.Fields goes to Chicago after a productive collegiate career with the Buckeyes. In two years at the school, he threw for 63 touchdowns and nine interceptions.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Denver Broncos will split practice snaps evenly between Drew Lock and Teddy Bridgewater throughout their preseason quarterback competition."Maybe I'll flip a coin to see who takes the absolute first snap of the offseason and training camp," head coach Vic Fangio told reporters Friday. "But by the end of the day, meaning the end of training camp before those guys make the decision for us with their play, it's going to be a 50-50 proposition."Some days, some guy might get more than the other. It'll even out the next day, or two days later. It's not going to be 50-50, probably, every day. But over the course of this offseason and training camp, it will be."Lock, a second-round pick in 2019, started all 13 games he appeared in last year, but the 24-year-old finished the campaign as one of the NFL's worst-rated passers. He threw 15 interceptions, tied with Carson Wentz for the league's most, and his 57.3 completion percentage ranked last among qualified quarterbacks.The Broncos acquired Bridgewater in a trade with the Carolina Panthers, but he's never thrown more than 15 touchdown passes in a season. The Panthers benched Bridgewater at one point late last campaign.Denver has been linked to Aaron Rodgers in trade speculation, but the Green Bay Packers have shown no indication they'll consider moving the disgruntled MVP.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The standoff between the Green Bay Packers and Aaron Rodgers continues with no resolution in sight, but head coach Matt LaFleur reiterated Friday that the team wants nothing more than to reconcile with its star quarterback."I've got nothing new to update," LaFleur said, according to ESPN's Rob Demovsky. "We still obviously feel the same way. We want him back in the worst way. I know he knows that and we'll continue to work at each and every day."Rodgers reportedly rebuffed the Packers' offer to make him the NFL's highest-paid quarterback, fueling speculation the reigning MVP's issues with the club stem from more than just wanting a long-term commitment.The 37-year-old is reportedly adamant about not returning to Green Bay unless general manager Brian Gutekunst is fired. His issues with Gutekunst are primarily tied to the GM taking Jordan Love in the first round in 2020 without informing Rodgers beforehand.Rodgers reportedly mocked Gutekunst in group chats with his teammates while referring to the executive as Jerry Krause, the former Chicago Bulls general manager who drew Michael Jordan's ire.Green Bay has repeatedly said it won't trade the signal-caller.With Rodgers' future in doubt, the NFC North squad signed former Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles to a one-year deal Wednesday to reinforce its depth at the position. Rodgers and Love were previously the only passers on the team's roster."Shoot, he led his team to the AFC championship (in the 2017 season)," said LaFleur, according to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. "They almost knocked off the (New England) Patriots."Rodgers won his third career MVP Award in 2020 after throwing for 4,299 yards and 48 touchdowns against five interceptions.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Brown is facing a civil lawsuit stemming from an altercation with a moving truck driver in January 2020, according to Broward County records obtained by Matt Baker of the Tampa Bay Times.Brown, along with his trainer Glenn Holt, both face one count of battery and one count of assault.The lawsuit, filed on behalf of driver Anton Tumanov, extends from a previously settled criminal case involving the veteran wideout.Tumanov moved Brown's belongings from California to Hollywood, Florida, last January and was allegedly "met with resistance and violence" from Brown and Holt.The suit claims the two "proceeded to verbally and physically attack (Tumanov), causing severe personal injuries," and the driver "continues to suffer severe bodily injuries, pecuniary losses, and mental anguish."Brown was arrested in January 2020 as a result of the incident with Tumanov. The Bucs receiver pleaded no contest to a felony burglary charge and misdemeanor charges of battery and criminal mischief last June. Brown received two years of probation.Last month, the 32-year-old reached a settlement with his former personal trainer, who was suing him for sexual assault.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tom Brady can make almost anything look easy, but he admits transitioning to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was harder than it appeared.Brady, who joined Tampa Bay during the 2020 offseason after 20 campaigns with the New England Patriots, says it took him a while to fully grasp his new club's playbook."Midway through the year, I was still trying to figure out how to call plays," Brady said on "Hodinkee Radio.""I would just read off my wristband and try to visualize what was going to happen."It’s like learning a completely new language. You’ve spoken English for 20 years, and now of a sudden someone's like, 'Hey man, let’s speak some Spanish.' And you are like, 'Huh? That makes no sense to my brain.'"The NFL's COVID-19 pandemic restrictions also didn't help his learning curve, according to Brady.The Buccaneers took some time to find their footing in 2020, entering the bye week with a 7-5 record. The signal-caller said that's when the team really began to gel."So it took a long time for people to get to know one another. Much longer than normal," Brady said. "The last six weeks of the year, wow, we really started hitting our stride. We gained a lot of confidence in one another. It was a really unique experience, one that I hope I never, ever have to go through again, but I think we made the best of it."The 43-year-old quarterback guided Tampa Bay to an eight-game winning streak en route to capturing his seventh championship in Super Bowl LV. Brady finished the year with 40 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Former first-round draft pick Kelvin Benjamin is expected to be among a group of players trying out for the New York Giants this weekend, a source told ESPN's Jordan Raanan.Teams are allowed to work out up to five veteran players during rookie minicamps, according to Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News.The Carolina Panthers selected Benjamin 28th overall in the 2014 NFL Draft. However, the 30-year-old wideout hasn't played since 2018.Benjamin recorded 1,949 yards and 16 touchdowns in two full seasons with the Panthers, but he battled injuries and conditioning issues and was traded to the Buffalo Bills in 2017.The Bills waived him in 2018 after 18 games. He then signed with the Kansas City Chiefs but made two receptions in three games.The receiver position was among the Giants' biggest areas of need after the 2020 season. The franchise has since added Kenny Golladay, John Ross, and tight end Kyle Rudolph through free agency and wideout Kadarius Toney in the draft.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Trevor Lawrence's status as the top prospect in this year's draft was arguably undisputed, but New York Jets rookie running back Michael Carter believes his new teammate, quarterback Zach Wilson, should've been the first name called."I love Zach," Carter recently said on SiriusXM NFL Radio. "He's a great player. He's literally so good, and he's so smart. He does minute stuff that just really wows you. He deserved to be the No. 1 pick, if I'm being honest."The Jacksonville Jaguars kicked off the 2021 draft by selecting Lawrence with the first overall pick, leaving Wilson to the Jets at No. 2.Wilson broke out in his final season at BYU, completing 73.5% of his passes for 33 touchdowns against just three interceptions. He tossed 56 touchdowns to 15 picks through three campaigns with the Cougars.Meanwhile, Lawrence amassed 90 touchdown passes against 17 interceptions at Clemson from 2018-20. He helped the Tigers reach two national championship games, winning the title as a freshman in 2018.Carter spent his college career at North Carolina and faced Lawrence's Clemson on multiple occasions."Trevor Lawrence is a special talent too," Carter added. "All I'm saying is that some people were arguing for Zach, and I agree because I feel like Zach is a great quarterback as well. I'm not knocking on anybody."New York selected Carter in the fourth round this year, 107th overall.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Kansas City Chiefs acquired cornerback Mike Hughes, a first-round pick in 2018, from the Minnesota Vikings, the clubs announced Thursday.Minnesota gets back a sixth-round selection in 2022 while Hughes and a seventh-round choice in 2022 head to Kansas City.Hughes never fulfilled the potential that Minnesota saw in him, though injury issues stunted his development. He played in only 24 games over three seasons with the Vikings, and neck problems limited him to four appearances in 2020.When he entered the NFL out of UCF, Hughes was billed as a raw prospect whose athletic prowess helped make up for his lack of size. His skill set appeared tailored for a scheme that would allow him to play off the line of scrimmage and use his athleticism and vision to come downhill to make plays.Hughes surrendered a 102.1 passer rating in coverage over his time with the Vikings. He recorded a pair of interceptions and 13 pass breakups, collecting most of his stats during his relatively healthy 2019 season.The 24-year-old will join a young crop of cornerbacks with the Chiefs, who have Charvarius Ward, L'Jarius Sneed, Rashad Fenton, and Deandre Baker atop their depth chart.The Vikings previously declined the fifth-year option on Hughes' rookie contract, meaning he'll become a free agent after the upcoming campaign.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tony Buzbee, the attorney representing the 22 women suing Deshaun Watson over claims ranging from sexual assault to inappropriate misconduct, told Fox 26 in Houston on Wednesday that some of his clients didn't feel respected by the NFL during its investigation, according to ESPN's Michael Rothstein.Buzbee didn't specify how the league made his clients feel disrespected.He added four women have met with the league's leading investigator Lisa Friel thus far and said there are "probably four more women" who want to meet with the league. However, he hasn't yet determined if he will allow them to speak to the NFL.NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy responded to Buzbee's comments on Thursday."The allegations are very concerning and the league immediately began investigating the matter under the NFL's Personal Conduct Policy," McCarthy wrote in an email to ESPN. "The investigation includes gathering information, monitoring law enforcement developments, and conducting interviews with relevant people willing to participate with counsel present."McCarthy described Friel as having a "stellar reputation as a consummate professional who conducts investigations and interviews with compassion and fairness in an effort to determine the truth."The Houston Police Department is also looking into the allegations against the Houston Texans quarterback, telling ESPN its investigation is still ongoing. Buzbee added that eight to 10 of the women he represents have met with the Houston police.Watson is being sued by 22 women in civil court over claims that vary from sexual assault to inappropriate touching of massage therapists. The claims range from March 2020 to March 2021.Buzbee says there are no plans to settle. Watson's attorney Rusty Hardin responded in a statement obtained by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport on Thursday, stating there will be "no settlement unless the terms are made public and all participants are allowed to speak in their own defense at all times.”The quarterback and his legal team have denied the allegations, stating that all 22 plaintiffs are lying.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys will once again host Thanksgiving Day games in 2021, and the New Orleans Saints will join them when the NFL caps its Nov. 25 tripleheader.The Chicago Bears, Las Vegas Raiders, and Buffalo Bills will serve as the visiting teams in those three contests, which air on FOX, CBS, and NBC, respectively.NFL schedule: Thanksgiving 2021RoadHomeNetworkBearsLionsFOXRaidersCowboysCBSBillsSaintsNBCDetroit and Dallas are staples of the league's Turkey Day programming. The Lions have hosted a Thanksgiving game annually since 1934, while the Cowboys have been summoned in all but two seasons since 1966.The NFL expanded its Thanksgiving slate to a tripleheader format in 2006, and features two different teams in the nightcap each year.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule defended his team's practice habits on Wednesday.Former Panthers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater recently said on a podcast that Carolina barely practiced two-minute or red-zone drills during offensive coordinator Joe Brady's first season."I'll just say this, for Joe Brady's growth, that organization, they'll have to practice different things in different ways," Bridgewater said.Rhule, who was also a rookie coach last season, heard Bridgewater's comments and defended the team's methods."I'm not going to delve into specifics about our process, some of that is specific to us. But I feel really good about our preparation, and the amount of work our coaches put in and the amount of work our players put in," Rhule said to Panthers.com's Darin Gantt. "The amount of practice work, I think we push them in a really smart way."The Panthers ranked 28th in red-zone efficiency last season.Nonetheless, Rhule stands by the way his club prepares for games."When you have 140 guys in a locker room, guys will disagree on some things sometimes. You can't ask everyone to agree with everything," Rhule said. "But I feel really good about what we do, I want to make sure to say I feel really good about the way we practice and our process. I'm disappointed to hear he didn't feel the same way."Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Jacksonville Jaguars will get their first glimpse of Trevor Lawrence since the draft during this weekend's rookie minicamp.The No. 1 overall pick is expected to participate in a limited capacity as he continues to work his way back from shoulder surgery, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.The quarterback underwent surgery in February to repair labrum damage in his non-throwing shoulder and was expected to start throwing again six-to-eight weeks after the operation.The Jaguars received the top selection in the 2021 draft after going 1-15 in 2020. They have made numerous changes in hopes of reversing their poor results, hiring former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer in addition to selecting Lawrence.The 21-year-old passer threw for 10,098 yards and 90 touchdowns against 17 interceptions at Clemson.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tom Brady won't be the only member of his family hungry for revenge when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers travel to face the New England Patriots in one of the marquee matchups of the NFL's opening month.The quarterback's father, Tom Brady Sr., said Thursday he can't wait to see his son beat his former team in a Sunday night matchup in Week 4."I saw the schedule come out last night, and I started salivating when I saw that we play the Patriots in the fourth game of the season, and we’re coming up here to make our record 4-0," Brady Sr. told "Zolak & Bertrand" of 98.5 The Sports Hub."We expect to beat the Patriots rather handily," he added.Not only will Brady have the chance to get a win over the team he spent 20 seasons and won six Super Bowls with, but he will also have the chance to set another NFL record.The 43-year-old will enter the season just 1,154 yards behind Drew Brees' all-time career passing yards mark of 80,358. If Brady can maintain his 2020 average of 289.6 passing yards per game, he can break Brees' record in Foxboro.Fans are apparently already clamoring to witness Brady's return to New England in person.

Find positional rankings, additional analysis, and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.With the NFL releasing its regular-season schedule Wednesday night, we can begin to infuse that information into our 2021 fantasy projections.Injuries can have a major impact on the campaign's latter stages, but focusing on the first few weeks can give you an advantage, opening the door for you to draft players set up for hot starts or avoid those destined to struggle against an unusually tough streak of opponents.Players with difficult schedules in the early going are prime trade targets after the first few weeks when owners begin to question their value.In the coming weeks, we'll publish a detailed fantasy strength-of-schedule matrix for the entire year, but for now, let's take a quick look at the teams with the easiest and hardest early-season slates.EasiestTampa Bay BuccaneersWeekOpponent1vs. Cowboys2vs. Falcons3at RamsThe Bucs kick off their attempt at a repeat with a pair of shootouts against the high-powered attacks of the Cowboys and Falcons. Both opponents are loaded at the skill positions but feature below-average defensive units - so expect Tom Brady and Co. to come out of the gates firing in September.Though the battle with Aaron Donald and the Rams isn't ideal in Week 3, Brady will be plenty motivated to stay on pace in an effort to break the all-time passing yards record in a Week 4 showdown with his former club - the New England Patriots.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will begin their Super Bowl title defense by hosting the Dallas Cowboys in the first game of the 2021 NFL season Sept. 9.The Thursday night matchup will kick off Tom Brady's quest for an eighth Lombardi Trophy. It's also expected to mark the return of Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott from his major ankle injury.Dallas struggled last year after Prescott went down, finishing 6-10. However, the Cowboys are expected to field a high-powered offense and will be a top contender for the NFC East crown.Meanwhile, Tampa Bay will return a championship roster largely intact. The Buccaneers are set to field all 22 starters from their Super Bowl victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.Dallas and Tampa Bay last met in 2018, with the Cowboys earning a 27-20 home victory.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL released its complete schedule for the 2021 regular season Wednesday.Follow the links below for team-by-team schedules.NFC

The NFL's two best teams last year are once again prime-time viewing in 2021.The NFL released its 2021 schedule Wednesday, and the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are among 10 teams that share the league lead with five prime-time games. The other clubs are: Green Bay Packers, Seattle Seahawks, New Orleans Saints, Dallas Cowboys, Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, Los Angeles Rams, and San Francisco 49ers.This is the second straight year the Buccaneers, Chiefs, Ravens, 49ers, Cowboys, Packers, and Rams lead the NFL with five prime-time contests.

The NFL will gift fans two games on Christmas Day this year, including a contest at Lambeau Field.The Green Bay Packers are scheduled to host the Cleveland Browns for a Dec. 25 matchup at 4:30 p.m. ET, while the Arizona Cardinals will welcome the Indianapolis Colts at 8:15 p.m. ET. The doubleheader is set for Week 16.This will mark the first time the Packers play on Christmas Day since they defeated the Chicago Bears on Dec. 25, 2011. The Browns have never played a Christmas Day game, while the Packers have done so twice.Cleveland and Green Bay last met during the 2017 season, when the Packers squeaked out a 27-21 victory in overtime. This year's game could see Baker Mayfield duel Aaron Rodgers, though Rodgers' future with Green Bay is unclear due to reported friction with the organization.The Cardinals and Colts last met in 2017, as well, with Arizona also emerging victorious in overtime. Kyler Murray and the Cardinals are coming off an 8-8 campaign in 2020, while the Colts are looking to build on last year's 11-5 showing after acquiring Carson Wentz this offseason.The NFL has staged five Christmas Day games since 2016.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL announced on Wednesday the two 2021 regular-season games that will take place in London, England.The Atlanta Falcons will host the New York Jets on Sunday, Oct. 10 at 9:30 a.m. ET, while the Jacksonville Jaguars will once again serve as the home team in London when they take on the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Oct. 17 at 9:30 a.m. ET.Both games will take place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and are subject to the United Kingdom's COVID-19 regulations.The league canceled its international series last year amid the global pandemic after playing four games in London and one in Mexico City in 2019. There will be no games in Mexico this campaign.The NFL first began scheduling matchups in London during the 2007 season. Jacksonville has served as the home team once per season for the last seven years, excluding 2020.Atlanta will host its second game across the pond and first since a 2014 loss to the Detroit Lions.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Denver Broncos have signed former Chicago Bears right tackle Bobby Massie to a one-year contract worth $4 million, his agency announced Wednesday.Massie is coming off a five-year stint with the Bears, who declined his $8-million option for 2021, making him a free agent. The 31-year-old played four seasons with the Arizona Cardinals before joining Chicago.The Broncos explored the market for a right tackle after Ja'Wuan James suffered a season-ending Achilles tear during a training session. Denver found itself in a similar position last year after James opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns, and the Broncos wound up signing Demar Dotson to a one-year deal.Denver played to a 5-11 mark last year, missing the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Green Bay Packers are signing veteran quarterback Blake Bortles to a one-year deal, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.The 29-year-old is set to reunite with offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, who was the offensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars when Bortles helped the franchise reach the AFC title game in 2017.The Packers' quarterback depth chart currently faces uncertainties, featuring disgruntled signal-caller Aaron Rodgers and second-year passer Jordan Love.Green Bay has recently been trying to fix its relationship with Rodgers, who is frustrated with the organization over several issues, including its personnel decisions. The reigning regular-season MVP has reportedly told some of his teammates he doesn't want to return to the team in 2021.The Packers surprisingly selected Love in the first round last year but the former Utah State star didn't see any regular-season action during his rookie campaign.Bortles spent time with the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Rams in 2020 but didn't appear in any game. He previously posted a 24-49 record as a starter for the Jaguars from 2014-18.Green Bay's in-person workouts are set to kick off Monday.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, Boone opens the mailbag to answer your questions on a variety of topics in the wake of the 2021 NFL Draft.

Tom Brady is still out for revenge against the New York Giants after losing two Super Bowls to Eli Manning and Co.Brady brought up the New England Patriots' losses in Super Bowl XLII and XLVI on Tuesday's episode of "The Complex Sports Podcast," admitting he'd like to face the Giants again on the big stage."I gotta figure out how to beat the Giants someday," Brady said. "We gotta have some type of rematch now that I'm in Tampa in a championship game."The Giants upset Brady and the then-undefeated Patriots in Super Bowl XLII in 2008 by a score of 17-14 and beat them again four years later. Manning stated earlier this year that the first loss particularly stung for Brady."He actually brings it up," Manning said in an interview with Paul Schwartz of the New York Post. "It still bothers him a little bit, especially the '07 one when they had the chance to go down as the greatest team of all time."Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Teddy Bridgewater recently spoke about his time with the Carolina Panthers and had some surprising comments about his old club's practice habits.The quarterback, who now plays for the Denver Broncos, said the Panthers didn't spend much time practicing their red-zone or two-minute offense."I'll just say this for Joe Brady's growth (as an offensive coordinator). That organization, they have to practice different things and different ways," Bridgewater said on the "All Things Covered" podcast. "One of the things we didn't do much of when I was there, we didn't practice two-minute really, we didn't practice red zone."Bridgewater added that the Panthers would only walk through the red-zone offense on Friday and get about 15 live reps in that area on Saturday.Carolina struggled to score during the 2020 season. The Panthers averaged 21.9 points per game, good for 24th in the NFL, and their red-zone efficiency ranked 28th.The 2020 season was both Bridgewater and Brady's first with the Panthers. The latter served as LSU's passing-game coordinator during its championship season in 2019.Bridgewater struggled with the Panthers, tossing 15 touchdowns to 11 interceptions and compiling a 4-11 record as a starter. Carolina traded him to the Broncos after it acquired former New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold.The 28-year-old said he's made peace with the deal as he understands the nature of the NFL."I could sit up here and say 'OK, Christian (McCaffrey) got hurt or we didn't have this, didn't have that.' But that's not me. I look in that mirror and I say, 'Hey, you gotta tighten up,'" Bridgewater said.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Washington Football Team appears to have its starting left tackle for the 2021 campaign.Washington is signing free-agent blocker Charles Leno to a one-year contract worth $5 million, Leno's agent told ESPN's Adam Schefter.The 29-year-old was released by the Chicago Bears on May 3 after seven seasons with the club.Leno started each of the last six years at left tackle in Chicago, missing just three games. The 2018 Pro Bowler is consistent in both pass protection and in the run game.Left tackle was a problematic spot for Washington last season. Veterans Cornelius Lucas and Geron Christian saw the majority of snaps at the spot, starting eight and six games, respectively, in 2020.Leno will be viewed as the favorite for the job in training camp, but he'll receive competition from second-round rookie Samuel Cosmi.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Arizona Cardinals have granted linebacker Jordan Hicks permission to seek a trade, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.The Cardinals recently drafted former Tulsa linebacker Zaven Collins in the first round and he's expected to start, likely making Hicks expendable.However, Hicks remaining with the Cardinals in a reserve role hasn't been ruled out, but he'll be allowed to test his trade market first, Rapoport adds.The 28-year-old took a $3-million pay cut in 2021, and he'll earn a base salary of $2 million this season.Hicks began his career with the Philadelphia Eagles before signing with the Cardinals in 2019. He's started every game for Arizona since joining the club. The veteran recorded a career-high 150 tackles during his first year with the team and followed that up with 118 last season.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tim Tebow hasn't played in the NFL for nine years, but the former quarterback's form apparently remains intact.New Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer said Tebow's recent workout with the team was jaw-dropping for the club's other coaches." ... (The coaches) said, 'Wow, this guy (has) ball skills, he's a great athlete, and he looks like he's 18 years old not whatever he is, 33,'" Meyer recently told PFF's Cris Collinsworth.Tebow's athleticism isn't news to Meyer, who gave the Heisman winner more credit when talking to his assistants."I said, 'Guys, you don't understand. This guy is the most competitive maniac you're ever going to talk to. Let's give it a shot,'" added Meyer, who worked with Tebow for four years at Florida. The pair helped the Gators win two BCS national championships together.The Jaguars reportedly intend to sign Tebow to a one-year deal as a tight end. However, the organization reportedly hasn't settled on a unanimous decision.The 2010 first-round pick spent time with four NFL teams over five years, though he only appeared in regular-season games over his first three campaigns. He started 14 contests for the Denver Broncos between the 2010 and 2011 seasons, posting an 8-6 record under center.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

News that the Jacksonville Jaguars intend to sign Tim Tebow was met with mixed reviews, from both outside and within the team's building.Not everyone within the Jaguars organization is thrilled with the idea of adding Tebow, and some don't think it would send the proper message to the locker room, ESPN's Jeff Darlington reports.New head coach Urban Meyer believes the former Heisman Trophy winner could provide a "cultural jolt" to his squad, according to Darlington.However, some coaches and players around the league don't necessarily believe Tebow can provide an immediate culture change in Jacksonville, Darlington adds.Tebow and Meyer formed one of college football's most prolific duos from 2007-2009, winning a national title together in '07. The two also captured one in 2006, but Tebow was the backup to Chris Leak.The 33-year-old Tebow spent time with four NFL teams between 2010 and 2015, though he only saw regular-season action in his first three seasons with the Denver Broncos and New York Jets. He later embarked on a professional baseball career in the New York Mets organization in 2016.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Denver Broncos added veteran competition at the quarterback position this offseason in the form of Teddy Bridgewater.The Broncos acquired the six-year pro for a sixth-round pick the night prior to the NFL draft. Bridgewater will now go head-to-head with Drew Lock for the starter's job in Denver entering the 2021 season."I was very excited," Bridgewater said about the trade, according to Ben Swanson of DenverBroncos.com."It's a talented football team, and it has so many pieces. I'm just glad to be a part of what they're doing around here and what we're trying to build here. It's a great, unique opportunity for me to come in and compete and lead at the same time. I'm just grateful for this opportunity."Bridgewater joins the Broncos after one year as the Carolina Panthers' starter. In 2020, he made 15 starts and completed 69% of his passes for 3,733 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. The Panthers started the year strong out of the gate but finished 4-11. Bridgewater has also suited up for the Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints over his career.Lock completed 57% of his passes for 2,933 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions in 13 starts in his first full season as Denver's starter last year.The poor performance led the Broncos to seek out proven competition for their third-year quarterback."Competition makes us all better as human beings," Bridgewater said. "In the end, you look back, and you realize you form relationships and bonds with different guys through competition. You learn a lot about the guy you're competing against, the guy you're competing with."So I'm looking forward to this opportunity, making the best of it and just going out there and taking it one day at a time."Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Indianapolis Colts agreed to a one-year contract with former Dallas Cowboys nose tackle Antwaun Woods, agent Drew Rosenhaus told ESPN's Adam Schefter.The Cowboys released Woods after selecting three defensive linemen, including a pair of tackles, in the NFL draft.Woods started 32 games over three seasons in Dallas. Known as a space-eater up front, he notched 80 tackles, eight quarterback hits, and 2.5 sacks for the Cowboys.Indianapolis has now added a pair of notable free agents following the draft in Woods and former Kansas City Chiefs left tackle Eric Fisher. Aside from acquiring quarterback Carson Wentz, the Colts were fairly quiet in the pre-draft phase of free agency.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Jacksonville Jaguars and Atlanta Falcons are each set to play a home game in London during the 2021 season, a source told Daniel Kaplan of The Athletic.The games will be played at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Kaplan adds.The NFL is set to return to London for two contests this season. It will be the first time teams play overseas since 2019. There have been 28 games held in London since the series began in 2007.However, the league won't host a game in Mexico City this year due to the pandemic, Kaplan notes.The number of international games will expand to four per season beginning in 2022.The official 2021 NFL schedule is set to be released Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster shared his lofty aspirations with Najee Harris after the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted the running back in the first round.The wideout said he was aware the Steelers could select a rusher despite head coach Mike Tomlin's tendency to select defensive players early in the draft. Once he saw the team had selected Harris, Smith-Schuster reached out to the Alabama product and told him about his championship goals."I knew it was a possibility knowing that James Conner has moved on," Smith-Schuster said on "The Jake Asman Show" on SportsMap Radio. "For us, Coach Tomlin has always drafted a defensive player in the first round, that's what he's known for, but for the first time, he's drafted a running back in the first round. ... I was so hyped. I texted Najee, I was like, 'We're excited to get some work in, I can't wait to win the Super Bowl.'"The Steelers have prioritized revamping the running back position after the club finished last in rushing in 2020. Pittsburgh used a first-rounder on a running back for the first time since 2008 and let Conner - who was the primary starter in each of the last three seasons - walk in free agency.Pittsburgh has also focused on bringing back many of their stars in hopes of making one last push for a Super Bowl title. Ben Roethlisberger returned on a renegotiated contract, while Smith-Schuster also re-signed on a one-year deal, favoring a return over offers from the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens.The 24-year-old wideout said he chose to come back due to already being established in Pittsburgh's offense, which offers him a better chance to bet on himself.The Steelers started 11-0 in 2020 but lost five of their last six games, including a playoff loss to the Cleveland Browns.For more, check out SportsMapRadio.com streaming live.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Playing one more year with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was key for wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster when he decided to re-sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason.Though Smith-Schuster could've joined Patrick Mahomes on the Kansas City Chiefs or Lamar Jackson on the Baltimore Ravens, the wideout felt that staying with Roethlisberger and the Steelers was the right thing to do."He had a huge impact," Smith-Schuster said of Roethlisberger during an NFL Network interview. "... What he's done for me for the past four years, I appreciate everything""To have one more year with him and bet on myself, I'd rather play with him than the other options I had," he continued. "It's nothing against those other guys - those are all great guys and they're going to have a great career. ... But you just don't go back on your guys, and (Ben is) a guy I like to stay with."In March, Roethlisberger took a pay cut to return to Pittsburgh for his 18th season, while Smith-Schuster inked a team-friendly one-year contract with the Steelers worth $8 million.The Ravens reportedly offered the pass-catcher a deal worth up to $13 million, while the Chiefs were willing to give him an $8-million contract that included $3 million in incentives. Kansas City head coach Andy Reid also used his Super Bowl LIV trophy in an attempt to lure Smith-Schuster, sending pictures of it to the wideout."I'm fine with the one-year deal," Smith-Schuster added. "I'm coming back with the guys that I like to play with, I'm coming back with the coaches I have a good relationship with. They know me, I know them, and it's going to make my job a lot easier this year."The 24-year-old set a career-high with nine touchdown receptions last season while catching 97 passes overall for 831 yards.The Pro Bowler has averaged 85 catches for 1,028 yards and seven scores per 16 games played since entering the NFL as a second-round pick in 2017.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.