Aaron Rodgers still doesn't feel like he can guarantee the Green Bay Packers will be his only NFL team.The reigning MVP, who said his future was uncertain after last season's NFC championship loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, recently reiterated he can't control what comes next in his career."So far, (the Packers have) definitely been my team," Rodgers told ESPN's Kenny Mayne. "I said last year I didn't know if that was actually possible to be able to finish (my career with Green Bay). I still feel like that's kind of where we're at. I don't that a lot of that is in my hands, but ... we'll kind of see as we go."He added: "Like I said last year, these things are just out of my control. The team has obviously the power to do what they want. My job is just to play as well as I can. I think there may have been ideas about what certain things meant last year; I just focus on my play."Rodgers won his third career MVP award last season after leading the NFL in pass completion rate (70.7%) and touchdowns (48). The nine-time Pro Bowler also tossed 4,299 yards while posting a 13-3 record.The 37-year-old reportedly sought a new contract with the Packers this offseason. He's currently signed through the 2023 season, but his deal includes a potential out following the 2021 campaign and would carry a cap hit of $39.8 million in 2022, according to Spotrac.Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said in February he believes Rodgers will "absolutely be here for a long time."Green Bay made a stunning move by selecting quarterback Jordan Love in the first round of last year's draft.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The San Francisco 49ers have been adamant about keeping quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in the fold for the 2021 season.While the passer remains on the roster, it appears the Niners may be open to parting with their signal-caller for the right price.San Francisco is believed to be asking for a first-round selection in return for Garoppolo, according to NFL Network's Mike Giardi.The 29-year-old's status with the franchise came into question after the 49ers executed a mega-trade with the Miami Dolphins to acquire the third overall selection in the 2021 draft in exchange for four picks, including future first-rounders.San Francisco is widely expected to select one of the top quarterback prospects with its upcoming pick.General manager John Lynch has previously indicated Garoppolo is "very much still part of our plans," according to Cam Inman of the Mercury News.Garoppolo does have control over his future with a no-trade clause in his deal that will pay him $24.1 million in 2021. The Niners could save $23.6 million by trading or releasing Garoppolo before June 1.The New England Patriots have been among the most logical destinations for the Eastern Illinois product. Garoppolo spent the first three seasons of his career in Foxborough before New England dealt him for a second-round pick in the 2018 draft.However, the Patriots are reportedly not pursuing a reunion with their former field general. New England could rely on Cam Newton for another year after signing him this offseason, and the franchise has also been doing its due diligence on quarterback prospects in the upcoming draft.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Houston Texans may consider pursuing free-agent quarterback Alex Smith if Deshaun Watson is unavailable to play or isn't a member of the team this season, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports.Watson has put in a trade request and could potentially hold out from offseason workouts to force a deal.The 25-year-old quarterback is also facing 21 lawsuits alleging sexual assault and inappropriate behavior. The league could possibly suspend Watson or place him on the commissioner's exempt list to start the season even if the Texans don't trade the signal-caller.Though teams reportedly continue to inquire about Watson, Houston remains unwilling to engage in trade talks.Houston would presumably sign Smith to compete with Tyrod Taylor, who reportedly inked a one-year deal worth up to $12.5 million with the franchise in March.Smith won the 2020 Comeback Player of the Year award after making a miraculous return to football following a life-threatening leg injury. The 36-year-old helped guide the Washington Football Team to the NFC East title after taking over the starting job from Dwayne Haskins.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Pace is certain quarterback Andy Dalton is the best option possible for his team in 2021, despite the fans' mixed reaction to the signing."Obviously, his experience. He's a nine-year starter," said Pace on Friday, according to NFL Network's Andrew Siciliano. "He's been to three Pro Bowls."He's one of the more complete quarterbacks that we evaluated this year in free agency, and we're excited to have him."Pace confirmed Dalton will enter the season as Chicago's starter, per ESPN's Jeff Dickerson."We feel like we've gotten better with Andy," the GM added.The Bears signed Dalton to a reported one-year, $10-million deal which also contains an extra $3 million in incentives.Chicago pivoted to Dalton after reportedly making a "very aggressive" pursuit for Seattle Seahawks star Russell Wilson, a failure that has arguably fueled the fan base's disappointment in the team's decision to add the former Cincinnati Bengals field general.The 33-year-old Dalton spent the 2020 campaign with the Dallas Cowboys, starting nine games - winning four - in place of the injured Dak Prescott. The veteran threw for 2,170 yards and 14 touchdowns against eight interceptions.Mitchell Trubisky and Nick Foles split time as the Bears' starter last season. The former was allowed to walk in free agency and signed with the Buffalo Bills, while the latter is set to back up Dalton.Despite inconsistent quarterback play, Chicago made the playoffs as the No. 7 seed after finishing 8-8 for the second straight year.With a new signal-caller under center for 2021, Bears head coach Matt Nagy said Friday he will retake play-calling duties after giving them up midway through last season, according to Dickerson.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Former NFL receiver Kenbrell Thompkins is facing federal criminal charges related to COVID-19 relief fraud in Florida, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Friday.Thompkins is alleged to have stolen the identities of Florida residents to receive unemployment insurance benefits from the state of California. He is charged with access device fraud and aggravated identity theft.The 32-year-old purportedly had unemployment benefit funds mailed in the form of debit cards to addresses in Miami and Aventura, Florida. The reputed scheme involves roughly $300,000 in total funds, of which $230,000 has been withdrawn, according to court documents.Thompkins is one of 18 individuals charged in federal criminal cases involving COVID-19 financial fraud in the southern district of Florida in the last month.Signed by the New England Patriots in 2013, Thompkins spent parts of two seasons with the team, catching 38 passes for 519 yards and four touchdowns.The Patriots released Thompkins during their Super Bowl-winning season in 2014, and the then-Oakland Raiders picked him up off waivers. He appeared in 12 games with the Raiders and another seven contests with the New York Jets in 2015.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford underwent a minor procedure on his right thumb in March, a source told Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic.The procedure, which stemmed from an injury Stafford suffered in December, was elective and a "simple cleanup," a source told Rodrigue.Stafford reportedly isn't expected to miss any portion of the Rams' spring workouts scheduled to begin later in April. Teams can begin gathering small groups as of April 19.The 33-year-old could be seen wearing a small brace around his thumb while on a flight in an Instagram story posted Thursday by his wife, Kelly.The Detroit Lions traded Stafford to Los Angeles in January in exchange for quarterback Jared Goff and multiple draft picks.The 2009 first overall pick is the Lions' all-time leader in passing yards (45,109) and touchdown passes (282).Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

T.Y. Hilton says he gave the Indianapolis Colts a hometown discount when he chose to re-sign.The 31-year-old agreed to a one-year, $8-million deal with the Colts after testing the free-agent market."I wanted to stay here no matter what the cost was. I gave up a lot of money to stay here and that's what I wanted to do," he said, according to ESPN.Hilton received a multi-year offer from the Baltimore Ravens, but he valued returning to the only franchise he's played for."It's very special. Not many guys can say they did that. ... I love it here, so the moment I had to sign back here, it was only right," he said.During his nine-year career, Hilton has compiled 9,360 yards and 50 touchdowns. He's two years removed from his last 1,000-yard season, and he recorded 762 yards and five touchdowns in 2020.As he enters his 10th season, he's taking a year-by-year approach."After this one year, I'll re-evaluate everything, see how my body's feeling. If I want to keep going, I'll keep going and if not, I'll hang it up," he said.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Ryan Fitzpatrick is the Washington Football Team's top quarterback right now, but Ron Rivera won't simply hand the starting job to the veteran."Last year, one of the mistakes I made, obviously, was I didn't have the true competition," the head coach said Thursday, according to Nick Shook of NFL.com. "I felt going in, the idea was to give Dwayne (Haskins) as many reps as possible to get him ready to play."This time, I know who we have as the starter, but he's going to go in and compete with everybody else. I want to play the guy that's going to give us the best opportunity to win, the best opportunity to develop and grow as a football team."In addition to signing Fitzpatrick in free agency, the NFC East club re-signed Taylor Heinicke to a two-year deal following the quarterback's start against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the wild-card round.Washington could also add a quarterback through the draft, though the top five prospects will likely be gone by the time Rivera's team picks at 19th overall."We're going to react to what's going to happen in front of us," Rivera said. "Picking where we're picking, a lot of things can happen. We have targets, we have ideas, we have guys that we like. But that always changes just because of the fact that everybody has a choice, and so you just never know what's going to happen at that point."Fitzpatrick started seven games - winning four - and appeared in another two for the Miami Dolphins last season. He threw for 2,091 yards and 13 touchdowns against eight interceptions and finished fifth in ESPN's QBR metric.Meanwhile, Heinicke impressed after being forced to start in place of an injured Alex Smith in the postseason loss to Tampa Bay, throwing for 306 yards and one score against one interception.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht said Thursday that quarterback Tom Brady is progressing nicely after undergoing a minor cleanup of his left knee."I talked to him last week," Licht said, according to Jenna Laine of ESPN. "I know things are going well. I don't want to put an exact timeline on it right now because I don't want to set expectations one way or the other, but I know that things are going very well."Brady reportedly played through knee discomfort for most of his first season in Tampa Bay, though he didn't miss a game or a practice en route to his seventh career Super Bowl title.The 43-year-old had been planning to undergo the minor procedure for months, Laine reports. It remains unclear if Brady will be ready to participate in offseason workouts, should they take place.Brady inked an extension with the Buccaneers earlier in March after signing a two-year, $50-million contract as a free agent last year.The extension is reportedly a four-year pact that voids to one year. It locked Brady through 2022 and saves the Bucs $19 million against the cap, allowing the team to retain the majority of its championship core this offseason.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New Indianapolis Colts quarterback Carson Wentz hasn't thrown a pass for his new team, but he's already winning over the locker room.The former Philadelphia Eagles passer is drawing rave reviews from receiver T.Y. Hilton, who recently re-signed with Indianapolis on a one-year deal."He has some Andrew Luck traits to him," Hilton said of Wentz, according to Stephen Holder of The Athletic. "He can get out of the pocket and make plays … a special talent."Hilton is very familiar with the former Colts signal-caller, as they were both part of the club's 2012 draft class.Luck retired in 2019 after suffering severe injuries over the course of six seasons. The 2012 first overall pick walked away from the game third in career passing yards (23,671) and touchdowns (171) in franchise history. He finished with a 53-33 record as a starter.Wentz, 28, led Philadelphia to a 9-7 record and playoff appearance in 2019.However, Wentz reached career lows in 2020 with 2,620 yards and 16 touchdowns while throwing a career-worst 15 interceptions. He was benched in favor of Jalen Hurts for the final four contests of the regular season.In Indianapolis, Wentz reunites with Frank Reich, who served as Eagles offensive coordinator during Wentz's first two campaigns as a pro. The North Dakota State alum produced his best statistical season in 2017 under Reich, helping the Eagles soar to an 11-2 record behind 33 touchdowns and just seven interceptions.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Antonio Brown is the final puzzle piece the Tampa Bay Buccaneers need to return their entire championship core, but money appears to be standing in the way of a reunion.Brown and the Buccaneers discussed a deal this week, but they remain far apart in terms of contract value, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reports."They want to bring him back, the Bucs do, just at a different number than he has in mind right now," Garafolo said.Brown earned $2 million during his first season in Tampa Bay last year. The reigning Super Bowl champions are reportedly aiming to bring the veteran back around that number, while Brown wants a market-value deal.The wideout racked up 45 catches for 483 yards and four touchdowns after starting the season on an eight-game suspension for multiple violations of the league's personal conduct policy.T.Y Hilton and Marvin Jones have topped the market for 30-plus receivers this offseason, earning deals worth $8 million and $6.5 million per year, respectively. Meanwhile, DeSean Jackson signed for $4.5 million, and John Brown got $3.75 million.The Bucs have managed to re-sign all their key free agents, most notably linebacker Lavonte David, pass-rusher Shaq Barrett, and wide receiver Chris Godwin.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Former Denver Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay says it's solely up to Drew Lock to prove himself a franchise quarterback."Drew holds his own future. Things have been set in place for him to be successful. He has to take advantage of it. ... He needs to continue to develop; that's on him. He's in a battle between him and him. Nobody else," Lindsay said on Sirius XM radio, according to Mike Klis of 9News.Lindsay, now a member of the Houston Texans after parting ways with the Broncos, has high hopes for his former team and believes Lock can meet Denver's expectations."They're going to have a fantastic defense. (Broncos head coach Vic) Fangio does a fantastic job with that," he said. "But for Drew, it's 'What did I not do last year that I need to do this year that's going to put me on another level?' He has the capability of doing that."Lock, 24, hasn't managed to solidify himself during his first two NFL seasons, throwing for 23 touchdowns to 18 interceptions. He compiled a 75.4 passer rating and tossed a league-leading 15 picks in 2020."He's hungry. He's hearing all this backlash and all this stuff. But for Drew, it's not about what everybody else says; it's between him and him," Lindsay said. "If he can look in the mirror and find himself, he's going to have a great career going forward."Fangio discussed the possibility of bringing in competition for Lock earlier this offseason, but the Broncos have not signed a free-agent quarterback to date. The head coach added he was confident Lock would improve.Denver has not made the postseason since winning Super Bowl 50.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Giants co-owner John Mara hopes a splurge in free agency will help the franchise return to the playoffs for the first time in five seasons."I'm tired of the losing," Mara told reporters Tuesday. "Obviously, it's been brutal the last few years."Once regarded as a model franchise, the Giants are 18-46 since their last playoff appearance and have just one winning campaign over the last eight seasons.Mara and Giants co-owner Steve Tisch opened their wallets earlier in the offseason, handing out lucrative contracts to keep defensive lineman Leonard Williams and bring in wide receiver Kenny Golladay and cornerback Adoree' Jackson.New York also struck agreements with tight end Kyle Rudolph, wide receiver John Ross, and offensive lineman Zach Fulton, among others.Altogether, the Giants have committed just over $200 million to players in free agency so far this offseason."I don't care how much money we spend," Mara said. "Just make sure it's the right guys we bring into the building."New York's offseason expenditures will make the 2021 campaign a pivotal one for quarterback Daniel Jones. The 2019 sixth overall pick has struggled with turnovers through his first two pro seasons, but the team's new weapons should ease the burden on him in his third year."We want to see him take the next step," Mara said. "I don't have any specific benchmarks other than let's win some more games. I think he will have a better team around him this year than he's had in previous years, so we certainly expect him to take the next step, but I'm not going to put any specific benchmarks on him right now."I just want to see him continue to improve because I do think he has what it takes to be a long-term winner in this league."The Giants showed signs of life in the second half of the 2020 season, winning five of their final eight games to finish 6-10.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New England Patriots have been one of the NFL's most active teams this offseason, but Robert Kraft knows the job isn't done yet, with the owner saying he wants to continue adding to his roster through the draft."If you want to have a consistently good team, you can't build it in free agency. It has to be done in the draft," Kraft said Wednesday, according to Amina Smith of NBC Sports. "The teams who draft well will be consistently good. We haven't drafted well recently. I've seen a different approach this year."The Patriots have struggled to draft high-level starters over the last few years. The franchise didn't pick in the opening round last season but used its first-round selections in the two years prior to take offensive tackle Isaiah Wynn, running back Sony Michel, and wide receiver N'Keal Harry, who have all underachieved since entering the league.New England used its first two picks in last year's draft on safety Kyle Dugger and linebacker Josh Uche in the second round. The club also added offensive weapons for quarterback Cam Newton in the third round by selecting tight ends Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene, but they combined for only five catches in 2020.Kraft added that the Patriots' recent draft issues impacted its aggressive approach in this year's free agency."We missed, to a certain extent, in the draft, so this was our best opportunity," he said, according to Zack Cox of NESN.New England, which owns the 15th overall pick this year, has spent a franchise-record amount of money in free agency this offseason, adding several stars in the process, including tight ends Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry and linebacker Matt Judon.The AFC East team finished the 2020 campaign with a 7-9 record and missed the postseason for the first time since 2008 after losing Tom Brady to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in free agency.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Florida tight end Kyle Pitts continued to turn heads at the Gators' pro day on Wednesday, and his unique blend of size and athleticism may see him chosen within the top five picks of next month's draft.After the six-foot-five, 245-pound athlete ran the 40-yard dash in an unofficial time of 4.44 seconds, he spoke to the media and revealed the Atlanta Falcons - who hold the fourth overall pick in the draft - have declared an interest in him."I did talk to them on Zoom a couple times. I talked to them again today. They said they have interest in me. After today we'll get together on another Zoom and they'll try to learn more about me," Pitts said, according to Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk.The Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Jets, and San Francisco 49ers own the first three picks of the draft and are expected to select quarterbacks. If the Falcons draft Pitts with their first selection, he would be the first non-quarterback off the board - a rarity for a tight end."I feel like they're pretty interested. It would be a dream come true to be top five or be the first non-quarterback to come off the board, so that's something I look forward to in the draft," Pitts said.Mike Ditka and Riley Odoms share the record as the highest tight ends drafted at fifth overall.Pitts formed an unstoppable rapport with quarterback Kyle Trask in his junior season and went on to score 12 touchdowns on 43 receptions for 770 yards.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL sent clubs a memo telling them to prepare to conduct meetings virtually when offseason programs begin April 19, but the league doesn't expect all-virtual workout programs like 2020, sources told Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network.Wednesday's memo reportedly also announced that the NFL won't mandate COVID-19 vaccinations, but the league does expect to eventually eliminate some restrictions on vaccinated people, including requirements for daily testing and quarantine after close contact with an infected person. In addition, the league anticipates relaxing restrictions on meetings, mealtimes, and locker room access for teams that reach "a certain rate of vaccination among ... tiered staff and players."Last season, the NFL implemented virtual programs in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and most in-person meetings were scrapped.The NFL continues to work with the NFLPA and clubs to create an offseason schedule for 2021. The timing of most offseason activities remains undetermined.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Two new lawsuits alleging sexual assault and inappropriate behavior were filed against Deshaun Watson on Tuesday, bringing the total of lawsuits filed against the Houston Texans quarterback to 21, according to ESPN's Sarah Barshop.One of the new lawsuits also states that Watson has "unsent" Instagram messages and has contacted the women who had previously messaged him "through intermediaries."Watson's lawyer, Rusty Hardin, released a statement Wednesday with quotes from 18 women who allegedly worked with Watson, stating the quarterback "never made them feel uncomfortable or demanded anything outside the scope of a professional massage.""These women say they are deeply troubled by the accusations made against Deshaun and that these claims are wholly inconsistent with their experiences with him and who they believe him to be," the statement reads.Hardin adds the women "have worked with Deshaun more than 130 times over the past five years."Watson has said he's always treated women with the "utmost respect." The star signal-caller reportedly requested a trade after the Texans hired Nick Caserio as their general manager this offseason.Caserio recently said the accusations against Watson "are certainly troubling."Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Chicago Bears chairman George Halas McCaskey voted against expanding the regular season to 17 games when NFL owners cast their ballots Tuesday, sources told Seth Wickersham of ESPN.It's unclear whether any other voters opposed the one-game extension, but it's believed the owners approved the proposal in a landslide.NFL owners have long coveted an additional game as a way of generating more revenue. The players' union finally agreed to permit a longer season in exchange for a greater share of revenues and other benefits during collective bargaining agreement negotiations in 2020.Commissioner Roger Goodell lauded the new 17-game format after the vote passed, calling it a "monumental moment in NFL history." The league will implement the 17-game schedule in time for the 2021 season.McCaskey took over as Bears chairman in 2011, replacing his brother, Michael. His 98-year-old mother, Virginia Halas McCaskey, is the Bears' principal owner.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, Edwin Porras of Fantasy Points joins Boone to discuss injury analysis and recovery timelines for several notable stars.

The Seattle Seahawks and wide receiver Tyler Lockett have agreed to a four-year, $69.2-million contract extension that includes $37 million guaranteed, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.The agreement prevents Lockett from hitting free agency after the 2021 season.Locket put together his second straight 1,000-yard season through the air in 2020 and tied his career high with 10 touchdown receptions. The 28-year-old has developed into quarterback Russell Wilson's favorite target in the slot after breaking into the league as a special teams returner and part-time receiver.The Kansas State product will move onto his third deal with the Seahawks. After inking his rookie contract in 2015, Lockett signed a three-year, $31.8-million extension in August 2018.With the deal, Seattle now has Lockett and emerging superstar DK Metcalf under contract for the next two seasons. Metcalf can become a free agent in 2023 at the earliest.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The biggest splashes of NFL free agency have been made, but before the league turns its collective sight toward April's draft, there are still a handful of big-name players left on the open market who need to find new teams.Here, we predict the landing spots and contracts for the 10 most notable remaining free agents:Jadeveon ClowneyAfter failing to land a lucrative contract last offseason, Clowney bet on himself by signing a one-year deal with the Tennessee Titans. However, his chances of securing the desired contract evaporated amid an injury-shortened season in which he failed to register a sack.Landing with a team that already has a great pass-rusher or pass-rushing group would be ideal for Clowney. Though his sack totals have been low of late, he's still capable of collapsing the pocket. He ranked 60th in pressures with 28 in 2020 despite playing in just eight games, according to PFF.The Cleveland Browns, who pursued Clowney in 2020, stand out as a top option. With Myles Garrett drawing focus, Clowney would be better-placed to turn those pressures into sacks. The Dallas Cowboys aren't bringing back Aldon Smith, so Clowney could fit well opposite Demarcus Lawrence. The Los Angeles Chargers also need a new partner for Joey Bosa with Melvin Ingram gone.Prediction: Signs with Browns on 1-year deal worth $7MRichard Sherman Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images Sport / GettyThree teams jump out as realistic spots for Sherman because they run similar schemes to the ones the cornerback has excelled in before, even if they aren't the sure-fire contenders he said he wants to land with for his last two NFL seasons before retirement.The Las Vegas Raiders and Cowboys hired former Seattle Seahawks coordinators Gus Bradley and Dan Quinn, respectively, to run their defenses. Meanwhile, the New York Jets picked Robert Saleh - Sherman's coordinator with the San Francisco 49ers - as their new head coach. Playoff-caliber options include a reunion with the Seahawks, who lost Shaquill Griffin in free agency, and the New Orleans Saints, who need a starter alongside Marshon Lattimore.Sherman may not be what he once was, and he's coming off an injury-shortened season. But he is just a year removed from a second-team All-Pro appearance and could definitely still help a contender as a more complimentary piece.Prediction: Signs with Saints on 2-year deal worth $14MAntonio BrownBrown, who played in only one game in 2019, was suspended for the first eight weeks of 2020 before signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in late October. The wide receiver remains engaged in a civil lawsuit regarding sexual assault allegations against him, so the number of teams willing to risk signing him is likely small.A reunion with the Bucs makes the most sense. Bruce Arians and Tom Brady sang Brown's praises last year amid a 483-yard campaign. With Mike Evans and Chris Godwin still atop the depth chart, the Bucs could again sign Brown as a luxury rather than a key piece, minimizing the risk he brings.The Seahawks and Baltimore Ravens are the other two logical spots for Brown. Russell Wilson pushed hard to sign Brown before he joined the Bucs; Seattle has two great receivers already but also needs to keep its quarterback happy. The Ravens finally signed a free-agent receiver in Sammy Watkins, but he's hardly a No. 1 option, and Lamar Jackson needs better receiving threats.Prediction: Signs with Seahawks on 1-year deal worth up to $3MMelvin Ingram Patrick Smith / Getty Images Sport / GettyIngram is a free agent for the first time in his career after nine seasons with the Chargers. The defensive end had 24.5 sacks from 2017 to 2019, but he didn't record any quarterback takedowns last season while missing nine games due to a knee injury.Ingram, who will turn 32 in April, recently visited the Kansas City Chiefs but left without signing. A deal is still possible, and it's a solid fit considering he can be a complementary piece alongside Frank Clark and Chris Jones. The former Chargers standout could also draw interest from teams in need of a veteran edge like the Indianapolis Colts and Ravens.Prediction: Signs with Chiefs on 2-year deal worth $17MAlex SmithSmith's miraculous return was a much-needed injection of hope in 2020. But the feel-good story aside, the quarterback was bad. He ranked 34th out of 35 in QBR, ahead of only teammate Dwayne Haskins. Smith also finished 31st in yards per attempt, 32nd in interception percentage, and 33rd in touchdown percentage. Washington won five of six games with Smith under center despite his play, not because of it.If Smith wants to continue his career, a backup role in which he can mentor a young quarterback is likely his only bet. And the 2020 Comeback Player of the Year is ideal for that given what he's overcome. But there aren't a lot of those spots left at this stage of the offseason, so it's possible the decision to retire is taken out of Smith's hands.Prediction: Signs with Jaguars on 1-year deal worth $4MMitchell Schwartz Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettySchwartz, who was cut by the Chiefs, is coming off back surgery and played in only six games in 2020. But when healthy, he's among the best right tackles. Though Schwartz wasn't his usual dominant self in his limited appearances, ranking 31st among offensives tackles by PFF, he should still get a lot of competition for his services.The Titans and Ravens are logical fits for the veteran lineman. The former cut right tackle Dennis Kelly and loves hard-nosed run blockers like Schwartz, and the latter will need a replacement for Orlando Brown if it grants him his trade request.Prediction: Signs with Titans on 2-year deal worth $25MK.J. WrightWright has been arguably one of the league's most underrated defenders during his time in Seattle, likely due to the presence of star Bobby Wagner. He's still highly effective despite entering his 11th season, ranking eighth among linebackers in 2020 by PFF.A return to the Seahawks - the only team Wright has played for - should still be in the cards. But he said he won't give Seattle a hometown discount, and if a deal was going to happen, you'd expect it would've by now. The veteran said the Cowboys are among his "dream teams," and a reunion with Quinn makes sense, though money could be an issue for Dallas.Prediction: Signs with Cowboys on 3-year deal worth $23MJustin Houston Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyHe's no longer an alpha pass-rusher, but Houston remains a reliable presence, having racked up 19 sacks in his two seasons in Indianapolis. A return to the Colts seems like the best bet. Indy has already lost Denico Autry, and though it may want to see what it has in Ben Banogu and Kemoko Turay, bringing back Houston is a smart insurance policy.The 32-year-old should have other suitors, given that he finished sixth in pass-run win rate and with the draft's lack of Day 1-ready pass-rushers. The Titans could continue to add to their arsenal after landing Bud Dupree, or a return to the Chiefs is possible given their interest in Ingram.Prediction: Signs with Colts on 1-year deal worth $10MRussell OkungIt's somewhat surprising Okung remains available at this stage of free agency. He isn't a top-tier left tackle and will turn 33 years old during the 2021 season, but he's a consistently solid pass-protector in a league that is always short on those kinds of players.An obvious landing spot is the Chiefs, who need a replacement for Eric Fisher and have prioritized bolstering Patrick Mahomes' protection. Okung would be a good consolation prize after the team's failed Trent Williams pursuit and would come at a far more manageable price. A return to the Carolina Panthers is still possible, while the Chicago Bears and Colts also have a need at left tackle.Prediction: Signs with Chiefs on 3-year deal worth $33MA.J. Bouye Jamie Schwaberow / Sports Illustrated / GettyBouye has been on a downward trend since a Pro Bowl season in 2017. The former Denver Broncos cornerback was ranked 87th in 2020 by PFF and 93rd in his final year with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2019. He's likely among the players who will have to wait until after the draft to evaluate his options.But he should enter training camp with a chance to compete for a depth role with a team. The Pittsburgh Steelers have a need at cornerback after granting Steven Nelson his release. Meanwhile, the Raiders brought in Bouye for a visit several weeks ago, and they could revisit their interest post-draft.Prediction: Signs with Raiders on 2-year deal worth $3.5MCopyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Cincinnati Bengals are re-signing defensive lineman Mike Daniels to a one-year deal worth up to $2.5 million, a source told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.The former Pro Bowler initially signed with the Bengals last August. He appeared in 11 games during the 2020 campaign, making 17 tackles. The 31-year-old spent time on injured reserve with an elbow issue and missed the season's final contest after being placed on the COVID-19 list.The nine-year veteran played the first seven seasons of his career with the Green Bay Packers before joining the Detroit Lions in 2019.Daniels should provide depth behind Larry Ogunjobi and D.J. Reader on Cincinnati's interior D-line.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Seattle Seahawks and newly acquired guard Gabe Jackson agreed to a three-year extension worth just under $22.6 million, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.Jackson had two years remaining on his original deal, but Seattle reworked his contract into a new three-year pact, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. The agreement kicks in immediately, and Jackson will be under contract with the Seahawks through the 2023 season, a source told NBC Sports' Joe Fann.The new contract also comes with a $9-million signing bonus and slightly over $7 million in additional guarantees, Rapoport adds.Seattle acquired Jackson in a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders earlier this month to improve Russell Wilson's quarterback protection.The 29-year-old offensive lineman said he talked to Wilson, who was excited about his arrival, according to Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic.Jackson didn't allow a sack in 16 games in 2020. He has 14.5 sacks allowed over his seven-year career, including a career-high 4.5 in 2019.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said the league plans to welcome fans back to stadiums for the 2021 season."We want to see every one of our fans back," Goodell said during Tuesday's virtual owners' meetings, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. "We expect to have full stadiums in the coming season."Stadium capacity was limited in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and a handful of teams didn't allow spectators to attend home games for the entire campaign.Goodell said the NFL safely hosted 1.2-million fans last year, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. He expressed optimism in increasing those numbers as the United States continues to roll out vaccinations."Football is simply not the same without the fans," Goodell said, according to Pro Football Talk's Michael David Smith.The Dallas Cowboys led all clubs with over 207,000 attendees during the 2020 season.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Las Vegas Raiders and left tackle Kolton Miller agreed to a three-year extension worth more than $18 million annually, a source told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.The deal reportedly includes $42.6 million guaranteed at the signing and keeps Miller tied to the Raiders through the 2025 season.Miller has developed into one of the league's better blindside protectors since his poor rookie campaign in 2018. He's the first member of his draft class to sign a contract extension.The Raiders have been busy up front throughout the offseason, agreeing to new deals with Miller, Richie Incognito, and Andre James while trading Rodney Hudson, Gabe Jackson, and Trent Brown.Miller was the second offensive tackle taken in the 2018 draft following the San Francisco 49ers' Mike McGlinchey.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL will move to a 17-game regular season in 2021 after owners formally voted Tuesday to extend the schedule by one contest.This marks the first time the NFL has stretched the regular season since 1978, when it increased from 14 to 16 games."This is a monumental moment in NFL history," said commissioner Roger Goodell. "The CBA with the players and the recently completed media agreements provide the foundation for us to enhance the quality of the NFL experience for our fans. And one of the benefits of each team playing 17 regular-season games is the ability for us to continue to grow our game around the world."Owners spent years looking for a way to add a 17th game and finally received the green light from the NFL Players Association during collective bargaining agreement negotiations in 2020.The union strongly opposed the extra game but conceded it in exchange for a greater share of league revenues and other benefits that appeal to fringe players.Every team's 17th game will come against a non-conference opponent that finished in the same spot in its divisional standings. The division that each team draws for the 17th contest will rotate. AFC teams will host the extra affairs in 2021, while their NFC counterparts will host them in 2022.

Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio said the allegations of sexual assault and inappropriate behavior against Deshaun Watson are "certainly troubling" as he addressed them publicly for the first time."We're certainly cognizant and aware," Caserio told the "Texas All Access" podcast on Monday's episode. "We made a statement at the beginning about where the organization stood. I would say it's a legal situation, it's a legal process, so we're certainly respectful of that."We certainly take them very seriously. The allegations, what's been discussed, are certainly troubling. Organizationally, that's not something that we can condone, that we condone, those types of actions. But again, we'll let the legal process take care of itself, and however it's gonna unfold, we'll certainly comply and do what we can to help and facilitate a resolution for everybody."Nineteen women have filed lawsuits against Watson, accusing the star quarterback of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct while receiving professional massages. After the first lawsuit was filed, Watson said he's always treated women with the "utmost respect."One of the most recent lawsuits claims Watson erased Instagram messages and contacted those "who formally provided him massages, in an attempt to settle.""We categorically deny that he has reached out directly to his accusers in an attempt to settle these cases," Watson's lawyer, Rusty Hardin, said Monday.Watson reportedly requested a trade after the Texans hired Caserio as their general manager. Houston apparently showed no willingness to discuss a Watson deal with teams that inquired before the first lawsuit was filed.- With h/t to NFL.comCopyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Warning: Story contains graphic contentThree new lawsuits were filed against Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson on Sunday night, reports ESPN's Sarah Barshop.The lawsuits accuse Watson of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct. One of them claims Watson is erasing Instagram messages and contacting those "who formally provided him massages, in an attempt to settle" the cases against him.There are now 19 lawsuits filed against Watson.His attorney, Rusty Hardin, said in a statement that Watson hasn't deleted any messages during the past two weeks."Like a lot of people, Deshaun regularly deletes past Instagram messages. That said, he has not deleted any messages since March 15, the day before the first lawsuit was filed," Hardin said Monday. "We categorically deny that he has reached out directly to his accusers in an attempt to settle these cases."Also on Monday, a Houston massage therapist shared with Sports Illustrated's Jenny Vrentas details of a 2019 interaction with Watson. The woman, who hasn't filed a lawsuit against Watson, said he exposed himself to her and suggested that she touch his penis.Hardin said last week that his firm has "strong evidence" that one of the lawsuits against Watson is false and "calls into question the legitimacy of the other cases as well."Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Stephon Gilmore is open to signing a new contract with the New England Patriots, Albert Breer of MMQB reports.The star cornerback is heading into the final season of his five-year deal, and his 2021 base salary of $7 million has led to speculation about the veteran's future in New England.Gilmore's name has been featured in trade rumors throughout the offseason. Teams were reportedly aware that he was available, but clubs would need to sign Gilmore to a new contract upon acquiring him.The 30-year-old's base salary ranks seventh among cornerbacks for the 2021 season, according to Spotrac.Gilmore has been one of the league's top players at his position since joining the Patriots during the 2017 offseason. He earned Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2019 after recording a league-leading six interceptions and 20 pass breakups.The defensive back notched just one interception during an injury-riddled 2020 campaign. Gilmore was limited to only 11 games, missing three contests due to a knee injury before suffering a partially torn quad in Week 15.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jimmy Garoppolo wasn't thrilled when the San Francisco 49ers informed him they were trading up for the No. 3 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, likely to select another quarterback."Obviously, no one wants to hear that," head coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday, according to Cam Inman of the Mercury News. "He wasn't totally excited about it, as you'd expect. This doesn't change any of our circumstances right now. We've got a real good team."The 49ers pulled the trigger on a pre-draft blockbuster last week, sending four picks - including this year's No. 12 pick and a pair of future first-rounders - to the Miami Dolphins for the third overall selection."We felt very strongly we'd get left at the altar at 12," Shanahan said in reference to the top quarterback prospects, according to ESPN's Nick Wagoner.Concerns about Garoppolo's ceiling and durability seemingly led 49ers general manager John Lynch to make his most significant trade since he acquired Garoppolo from the New England Patriots in 2017.Lynch confirmed reports that the team doesn't intend to trade Garoppolo, saying the 29-year-old passer "very much is still part of our plans." Garoppolo led the 49ers to an appearance in Super Bowl LIV and owns a 22-8 record as San Francisco's starter.The No. 3 pick should give the 49ers their choice of Ohio State's Justin Fields, North Dakota State's Trey Lance, and Alabama's Mac Jones. Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson are expected to go first and second overall, respectively.Lynch and Shanahan are scheduled to attend Alabama's pro day Tuesday instead of Ohio State's, but they said they'll schedule another pro day with Fields before the draft.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

If the New York Jets want to move on from Sam Darnold, the return they receive might be underwhelming.Two NFL general managers told ESPN's Kimberley A. Martin that the most they would give up in a trade for the 23-year-old quarterback is a third-round pick, with one saying a late third-rounder would be "a little rich."A third GM said he would "maybe" trade a third- or a conditional fourth-round selection for Darnold.The Jets are widely believed to be exploring drafting a quarterback with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, with former BYU standout Zach Wilson considered the favorite.New York isn't ruling out keeping Darnold even if it drafts a quarterback in the first round, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports.The AFC East club traded up to No. 3 in 2018 to select the former USC quarterback, but he's since failed to establish himself as the Jets' franchise player.Darnold endured his worst pro season in 2020, throwing for 2,208 yards and nine touchdowns to 11 interceptions across 12 starts. He also finished last in QBR and averaged a career-low 6.1 passing yards per attempt.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Buffalo Bills were relatively quiet during free agency's big wave. Their approach was to decorate around the edges - an Emmanuel Sanders here, a Mitchell Trubisky there - while completely avoiding any major bidding wars for expensive players. On paper, the Bills are constructed not only to win now but to have a real shot at sustaining that success. They achieved what they wanted this offseason by positioning themselves to largely avoid dabbling in free agency.There are numerous ways to build a roster for the long term. The most logical foundational move is to have a quality quarterback on a cheap, rookie contract - and Buffalo has that with Josh Allen. In 2020, Allen developed into both an efficient passer and an effective deep-ball thrower, finally living up to the potential the Bills had hoped to unlock when they traded up to draft him three years ago.But head coach Sean McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane have also completely remade the team; defensive end Jerry Hughes is the only current Bills player who was on the squad's 53-man roster when McDermott was hired in January 2017. Those efforts have slowly borne fruit: Buffalo has made the playoffs three times in McDermott's four seasons, and in 2020 the Bills won the AFC East for the first time in a generation before reaching the AFC Championship Game.But this offseason, the Bills also took some big strides toward maintaining their progress by hanging on to a number of potential free agents before they hit the market. Icon Sportswire / Getty ImagesThat's right, a franchise that had spent nearly 20 years as an also-ran, that had become the functional equivalent of NFL Siberia, is now a destination of sorts. The Bills re-signed linebacker Matt Milano, right tackle Daryl Williams, right guard Jon Feliciano, and cornerback Levi Wallace. They also got center Mitch Morse and defensive linemen Mario Addison and Vernon Butler to take pay cuts to assist with the team's handling of the 8% reduction in this year's salary cap.Free agency had thus become an afterthought. The Bills didn't need to do much shopping because they were able to retain much of what they needed. It's the culmination of a clear plan that has repeatedly paid dividends."Look at the teams that constantly win: New England, Pittsburgh, New Orleans, Green Bay," Beane told NBC's Peter King in December. "Stability was the number one, most important thing to me - stability and then just drafting, and staying true to the culture we’d try to build and foster."It took a lot of work to get here. Beane, who had worked with McDermott with the Carolina Panthers, came on in May 2017 and was immediately tasked with clearing out a stable of bad contracts. The medicine the Bills had to swallow left them limping into 2018 with a league-record $53.9 million in dead money - roughly 30% of that year's unadjusted salary cap - sitting on their books.As a result, Beane and McDermott placed an emphasis on the draft and on finding value in free agency by adding veteran players who had been underperforming elsewhere. Ironically, if this approach sounds familiar, it's because it's the method the Patriots used to spend two decades dominating the Bills, the rest of the AFC East, and the entire NFL. It's easier said than done, but the Bills thus far have shown a knack for it. Ralph Freso / Getty ImagesIn 2017 - just before Beane came on board, but with McDermott having plenty of say on personnel matters - Buffalo landed safeties Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde in free agency. The Bills also traded down in the first round of the draft - a reversal from previous years, when they traded up to select guys like wideout Sammy Watkins, who Beane quickly sent packing. Yes, that 2017 trade allowed the Kansas City Chiefs to jump up to select Patrick Mahomes, but Buffalo eventually used the two first-rounders it received to take cornerback Tre'Davious White and linebacker Tremaine Edwards, two eventual defensive cornerstones.That 2017 draft also produced left tackle Dion Dawkins and linebacker Milano. The season ended with the team's first playoff appearance in 18 years. In 2018, a hollowed-out roster with all that dead contract weight led to a 6-10 finish. But in the draft that year, the Bills went back to trading up - and this time it was to get their guy at quarterback.Taking Allen - a big-armed passer with accuracy issues, precisely the sort of QB who tends to struggle in the NFL - seemed like a huge risk. However, the Bills saw that Allen had potential and could be developed. That assessment proved to be true by Allen's third season - in large part because Beane and McDermott surrounded him with the right personnel while also coaching to his ability to move outside the pocket.In 2019, when the Bills could spend again, their free-agent haul included slot receiver Cole Beasley, speedy wideout John Brown, plus Morse and Feliciano up front. At the draft, they landed standout defensive tackle Ed Oliver in the first round and added guard Cody Ford, running back Devin Singletary, and tight end Dawson Knox. The Bills were back in the postseason. Andy Lyons / Getty ImagesThen came last year's massive trade for wideout Stefon Diggs, which gave Allen exactly the kind of big-time deep threat he needed. All Diggs did in 2020 was lead the league in catches (127) and receiving yards (1,535), which allowed Allen to finish fifth in expected points added per play (0.256) in addition to posting a deep-ball passer rating of 103.0, according to PFF.The Bills had also brought in Williams, Butler, Addison, and linebacker A.J. Klein in free agency. Just like that, they had a roster that was as deep and talented as any in the NFL. Now they're keeping it together and adding another veteran target like Sanders, who specifically mentioned Allen's growth as a factor in his decision to sign with Buffalo."The play is never over," Sanders said, per Matthew Fairburn of The Athletic. "When I played with Big Ben (Roethlisberger), even though you come out of your route and the ball may not be there, stay on the move because you never know. You have to keep your eyes ready and locked on the quarterback and be ready sometimes for that scramble drill … When they think they have a guy and he escapes and launches the ball down 25 yards for a first down. It drives you nuts. To be on a team with a guy like that, that’s special."The AFC East still figures to be competitive for the Bills. Buffalo's ascent coincides with the Miami Dolphins' recent improvement, and the Patriots undertook an uncharacteristic spending spree to improve the roster. The Dolphins continued to stockpile draft capital for the future with a pair of big trades on Friday, but the verdict is still out on quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. The Patriots also have work to do at quarterback, even with Cam Newton coming back. And the Jets - who hope to use the No. 2 pick to select Brigham Young quarterback Zach Wilson - are just getting started with their fourth rebuild in the last decade. With Allen, the Bills already have their most important asset in place. Jamie Squire / Getty ImagesThat the Bills retained a number of players before they could hit free agency isn't unique. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers - who just so happen to be the Super Bowl champions - did it, too. But unlike the Bucs, who used several big contract extensions stuffed with voidable years to finagle the 2021 salary cap and postpone the cap reckoning - Buffalo largely kept its players without having to mortgage its future. And with good reason: Allen is now eligible for an extension that's assured to pay him top-market money, and Beane is on record saying he wants to get something done sooner rather than later. The structure of that deal will be one to watch."We want him to be happy, and obviously, we want it to be a deal where we can still put talented players around him because Josh is a competitor," Beane said last week on "The Huddle & Flow Podcast" with Jim Trotter and Steve Wyche. "He's not wired for us just to pay him, then not be able to put stuff around him. So we’ll try and find that deal that works for him and works for us."Beane and the Bills have found many things that work. Sustaining that success is neither easy nor guaranteed, but the franchise is certainly well-positioned to make it happen.Dom Cosentino is a senior features writer at theScore.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Detroit Lions decided against the franchise tag for Kenny Golladay after forecasting less demand for the former Pro Bowl wideout than he ultimately received."With how the market was shaping out with the depth, both in free agency and the draft, we opted to go the route of not tagging him," general manager Brad Holmes explained Monday, according to Chris Burke of The Athletic.Golladay was considered a strong candidate for the franchise tag before free agency, but the Lions let him hit the market with no restrictions.Holmes said the Lions considered tag-and-trade scenarios with Golladay. Detroit would have been stuck with a one-year contract for about $16 million had it tagged and failed to trade the wideout.The 27-year-old signed a four-year, $72-million deal with the New York Giants in free agency, topping the annual average salary of the franchise tag. Other marquee receivers, including JuJu Smith-Schuster and Will Fuller, settled for smaller one-year contracts in light of the reduced salary cap and highly touted incoming rookie class.Golladay eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark twice in four years with Detroit and led the NFL with 11 touchdown receptions in 2019.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL generally likes to maintain the mystery surrounding the No. 1 pick in the draft, but Urban Meyer isn't pretending the Jacksonville Jaguars' sights aren't firmly set on Trevor Lawrence."I'd have to say that's the direction we're going," the head coach told Peter King of NBS Sports. "I'll leave that up to the owner when we make that decision official. But I'm certainly not stepping out of line that that's certainly the direction we're headed."Lawrence has been pegged as the top selection ever since he led Clemson to a national title in spectacular fashion during the 2018 season. With the Jaguars in dire need of a franchise quarterback, most believe the team will draft the former Tigers standout over the likes of Zach Wilson and Justin Fields."Trevor checks all the boxes, you know," Meyer said. "The No. 1 common quality of every great player, not just quarterback, is competitive maniac. He's 34-2; won a national title as a true freshman; is a winner. I've seen him up close and in person compete."And then character. I see him and I witness with my players, when the guys get drafted high, a lot of people get ... They have influences in their life. Like, whether it be social media, whether it be other things that really don't pertain to winning. What I'm really pleased with, and I don't want to say surprised, but him, his agent, his family, they're focused on one thing. He wants to become the best version of himself for the National Football League, which is, well, it is somewhat refreshing."Lawrence reportedly declined the NFL's invitation to attend the draft in Cleveland on April 29, instead opting to watch the event with family and friends in Clemson, South Carolina.The 21-year-old is currently rehabbing from left shoulder surgery he underwent Feb. 16. He is set to begin throwing again sometime in April and is expected to be ready for the start of offseason workouts.Lawrence completed 69.2% of his passes for 3,153 yards and 24 touchdowns against five interceptions in his final season at Clemson.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The San Francisco 49ers could be ready to stun the football world with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.Most observers presumed the 49ers were looking to draft Justin Fields or Trey Lance with the selection they acquired in a blockbuster trade with the Miami Dolphins this week. But NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said Monday that other teams believe otherwise."The majority of people around the league believe this is for Mac Jones," Jeremiah said on "The Athletic Football Show" podcast.He added: "Of the people that you would want to believe and put your faith in, the overwhelming majority of them believe this is going to be Mac Jones with that pick. So that's what's so shocking."Jones is widely viewed as the draft's fifth-best quarterback prospect behind Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, Fields, and Lance. Lawrence and Wilson are odds-on favorites to go first and second overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Jets, respectively.Jeremiah added that the Carolina Panthers, who own the No. 8 overall selection, are the team that's been most connected to Jones. The draft analyst suggested the 49ers may have thought it was necessary to move ahead of Carolina to secure the Alabama standout.San Francisco sent the No. 12 pick, its next two first-rounders, and a 2022 third-round selection to Miami for No. 3.Jones and Fields will both perform at their respective pro days on Tuesday. 49ers general manager John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan are expected to attend Jones' workout, while assistant GM Adam Peters is set to scout Fields, according to Peter King of NBC Sports.King wrote that he's "not sure I would infer huge meaning to that, but it could be significant."Jones was a Heisman finalist last season after succeeding Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa as the Crimson Tide's starter. The 22-year-old threw for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns against four interceptions, production that exceeded Tagovailoa's best at Alabama.But while Tagovailoa was the No. 5 pick in last year's draft, most analysts have projected Jones as a fringe first-round selection.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Free-agent defensive tackle Jarran Reed is signing a one-year contract with the Kansas City Chiefs, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.The deal is worth up to $7 million and includes $5 million guaranteed, Rapoport adds.Reed was released by the Seattle Seahawks on Friday after the franchise couldn't find a trade partner.The 28-year-old started 63 games over five seasons in Seattle. He produced 194 tackles, 22 sacks, and 22 tackles for loss.The Seahawks had initially hoped Reed would help free up cap space by reworking his contract. However, the veteran defender sought a long-term commitment from the club.Reed will likely rotate with Derrick Nnadi and Tershawn Wharton on a stout Chiefs front four next to All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Star quarterback prospect Trevor Lawrence is declining his invitation to attend the 2021 NFL Draft in Cleveland on April 29, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Lawrence, the presumptive No. 1 pick, will instead watch the draft with family and friends in Clemson, S.C., Schefter adds.While it's typical to see the first overall selection take the stage and sport his new team's gear alongside NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, other recent top picks Jameis Winston (2015), Myles Garrett (2017), and Baker Mayfield (2018) didn't attend the event.A year after the COVID-19 pandemic led to the first-ever virtual draft, the league is planning a "large, live, in-person" event for 2021, similar to the draft's standard form.Lawrence finished second in Heisman Trophy voting during his sophomore campaign. In 2020, he completed 69.2% of his pass attempts for 3,153 yards, 24 touchdowns, and five interceptions.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Alvin Kamara certainly doesn't seem thrilled with the NFL's rumored change to a 17-game format.The New Orleans Saints running back shared his feelings shortly after ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the NFL was expected to finalize its new schedule this week.

A reunion between the New England Patriots and Jimmy Garoppolo doesn't appear to be in the cards.The Patriots are not pursuing their former quarterback following the San Francisco 49ers' decision to trade up for the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 draft, sources told Jordan Schultz of ESPN.The 49ers are widely expected to use the No. 3 pick on one of the three top quarterbacks after Trevor Lawrence - Justin Fields, Zach Wilson, and Trey Lance - depending on who is available following the New York Jets' selection at No. 2.Despite the blockbuster deal to move up, San Francisco reportedly doesn't plan to trade Garoppolo."Jimmy is here to stay," a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter. "He's our guy this season."But speculation has continued regarding Garoppolo's future with the NFC West team. The 49ers can save $23.6 million in cap space by trading or releasing their starting quarterback. The 29-year-old could have some influence on his future due to his no-trade clause.The Patriots are arguably the most logical destination for Garoppolo. New England head coach Bill Belichick was reportedly reluctant to trade his then-backup passer before ultimately sending him to the 49ers in 2018 for a second-round pick.The AFC East club re-signed Cam Newton to another one-year deal this offseason, but the former NFL MVP is coming off the worst season of his career.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL is expected to announce the expansion of the regular season to 17 games this week, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.The league has reportedly been planning to add an extra game for the first time since 1978 since it agreed to a new collective bargaining agreement with the National Football League Players Association last March.The new regular season will be 18 weeks long, with each team still having just one bye week. The Super Bowl will likely be pushed back into the second week of February to compensate for the extra game, and the league is also expected to reduce the preseason to two or three contests.The NFL is also considering using the expansion to solidify its international series by staging four of the additional games overseas every season starting in 2022, according to Mark Maske of The Washington Post.Here is every additional game for the 2021 season, according to Warren Sharp of The Ringer:GameSeattle Seahawks at Pittsburgh SteelersLos Angeles Rams at Baltimore RavensArizona Cardinals at Cleveland BrownsSan Francisco 49ers at Cincinnati BengalsGreen Bay Packers at Kansas City ChiefsChicago Bears at Las Vegas RaidersMinnesota Vikings at Los Angeles ChargersDetroit Lions at Denver BroncosWashington Football Team at Buffalo BillsNew York Giants at Miami DolphinsDallas Cowboys at New England PatriotsPhiladelphia Eagles at New York JetsNew Orleans Saints at Tennessee TitansTampa Bay Buccaneers at Indianapolis ColtsCarolina Panthers at Houston TexansAtlanta Falcons at Jacksonville JaguarsThe extra games will reportedly be interconference matchups based on the previous campaign's divisional standings and set on a rotating divisional basis.A 17-game slate should generate new revenue after league-wide financial losses during the 2020 campaign due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The NFL was forced to lower the salary cap for 2021 to $182.5 million, down from $198.2 million this past season.The league already expanded the playoffs this past campaign, adding an extra wild-card spot in each conference to form a 14-team postseason.The move to a 17-game season comes amid newly signed TV deals for the NFL that are reportedly worth $10 billion annually and will run from 2023-33.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The San Francisco 49ers are signing wide receiver Mohamed Sanu to a one-year contract, his agent announced Saturday.Sanu will return to San Francisco after spending a portion of the 2020 season with the team.The 49ers released the 31-year-old in October after just three games.Sanu finished the campaign with the Detroit Lions, with whom he hauled in 16 receptions for 178 yards and a touchdown.The 2012 third-round draft pick has also played for the Atlanta Falcons, Cincinnati Bengals, and New England Patriots.He's tallied 420 receptions, 4,694 yards, and 27 touchdowns in his career.Sanu provides depth to a receiving corps that features Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk. He has potential to be a slot receiver option next season.After a pair of disappointing seasons, Sanu aims for a bounce-back campaign during his second run in San Francisco.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Free-agent defensive end Tyson Alualu had a change of heart.Alualu decided to re-sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers on a new two-year pact after previously agreeing to a two-year deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars less than two weeks ago, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports.Alualu tested positive for COVID-19 soon after reaching a deal with the Jaguars, delaying the signing and leading the 11-year veteran to return to the Steelers instead, Pelissero adds.The 33-year-old spent the past four seasons in Pittsburgh and started in 10 games in 2020. He played the first seven years of his career with Jacksonville.Alualu has 398 career tackles and 24.5 total sacks.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins, and Philadelphia Eagles combined to make two blockbuster trades Friday that will change the landscape of the NFL draft in 2021 and beyond.First, the 49ers made a splash by trading up with the Dolphins, moving from No. 12 to No. 3 in the first round of the 2021 draft. Miami then immediately flipped the No. 12 pick and additional compensation to Philadelphia for No. 6 overall.What does it all mean? Glad you asked:49ers make their move at QB Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyJimmy Garoppolo is fine. A well-built team can win with him, as the NFC-champion 49ers proved just one year ago. But he isn't the type of quarterback who will be the reason a team wins. And that's OK. But in the modern NFL, having that kind of player makes all the difference in the world.So when the 49ers saw their opportunity to move up and get a potential game-changer at the most important position in the sport, they pounced. Make no mistake: Any move of this magnitude - one that sends multiple future first-round picks the other way - is for a quarterback. It's a significant price to pay to jump up just nine spots, but it won't seem like it if San Francisco hits on this pick.Assuming Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson are the first and second overall picks, respectively, the 49ers will find themselves choosing between Justin Fields and Trey Lance at No. 3 (barring an unexpected pivot to Alabama's Mac Jones). If they choose Lance, which would be a Josh Allen-esque swing on rare physical traits, the idea that the 49ers will stick with Garoppolo as their starter through the 2021 season, as they reportedly claim, makes some sense. Lance could use the time to develop after limited experience at a lower level of competition in college.If Fields is the pick, though, it's tough to see Garoppolo sticking around much longer (New England Patriots reunion, anyone?). Fields is better suited to a quick transition to the NFL, and his dynamic skill set - similar to that of a young Robert Griffin III but more advanced in the passing game - is a particularly strong fit for San Francisco's offense. Remember what RG3 did as a rookie with Washington under the 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan? There would be no sense in wasting a year of Fields' first contract when all signs in terms of both ability and fit seem to indicate the Ohio State standout is capable of playing right away.Whoever the 49ers select, it's clear they were no longer going to be satisfied with the high floor of a great system propping up average quarterback play. Shanahan wants a player who can take his offense to the next level, and he's about to get one.Dolphins stay craftyThe Dolphins essentially picked up an extra first-round pick to move back three spots in the opening round. They started at No. 3, traded down to No. 12 for two additional first-rounders, then gave up one first to climb from No. 12 to No. 6.That's the type of creativity - or wizardry - Chris Grier has demonstrated throughout his five-year tenure as Miami's general manager. In 2016, he traded the No. 8 pick for Kiko Alonso, Byron Maxwell, and the No. 13 pick, which he used on Laremy Tunsil.A few years later, he dealt Tunsil, Kenny Stills, and a fourth-round choice to the Houston Texans for two first-round picks - including the No. 3 choice in 2021 - a second-rounder, and two players.This time, he made two blockbuster trades that netted his team an additional first-rounder and third-rounder while keeping Miami near the top of the board. Needless to say, the Dolphins are stocked with premium draft picks over the next few years.

The Baltimore Ravens and wide receiver Sammy Watkins agreed to a one-year contract pending the results of a physical, the team announced.The deal is worth $6 million and includes $5 million guaranteed, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Watkins spent the last three seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, averaging 61 receptions, 759 yards, and four touchdowns per 16 games played. The 27-year-old, who was an important weapon in the playoffs during the Chiefs' Super Bowl run two seasons ago, racked up 27 catches for 421 yards and two scores through 10 games last year.The Ravens will be the Clemson product's fourth team. The former fourth overall pick also spent time with the Buffalo Bills (2014-16) and Los Angeles Rams (2017).Watkins is Baltimore's latest attempt to improve the offensive supporting cast around quarterback Lamar Jackson, but it might not be the last as the veteran pass-catcher has struggled to stay healthy (14 regular-season games missed since 2018) and has topped 50 catches only once over the last five years.The team has been trying to add a new wide receiver since free agency began but has failed to land the top options available. Baltimore reportedly pursued JuJu Smith-Schuster and Kenny Golladay before they signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants, respectively.The Ravens have struggled to own a balanced offense in recent years. While their run game ranked first in each of the last two seasons, the passing attack placed last in 2020 with just 171.2 yards per game. Wideout Marquise Brown was Jackson's main target last year with 58 receptions, 769 yards, and eight touchdowns.In Baltimore, Watkins will reunite with offensive coordinator Greg Roman, who was the Bills offensive coordinator for two seasons and helped Watkins post his only 1,000-yard season in 2015.The Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans, and Tennessee Titans reportedly were also interested in Watkins.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Veteran quarterback Chase Daniel has agreed to join the Los Angeles Chargers, he announced Friday.The deal is for one year and includes $1.5 million in guarantees remaining from the signal-caller's previous contract with the Detroit Lions, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Daniel backed up Matthew Stafford with Detroit last season, attempting just 43 passes on four brief appearances.Multiple teams reportedly viewed Daniel as an ideal mentor for a young quarterback. With Los Angeles, the 34-year-old will be the No. 2 option behind reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year Justin Herbert.Daniel has appeared in 69 NFL games and is known for earning more than $38.5 million over his career despite a limited workload.Undrafted out of Missouri, Daniel has thrown for 1,694 yards with eight touchdowns and seven interceptions since entering the league in 2009. He previously spent time with the New Orleans Saints, Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, and Chicago Bears.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore was arrested Thursday night for possessing a loaded handgun that had been reported as stolen, Cleveland police said Friday, according to ESPN's Mike Triplett.Lattimore and three others were arrested after the car they were traveling in was stopped for multiple traffic violations. Lattimore, a Cleveland native, was a passenger, and he was arrested for carrying a concealed weapon (failure to notify) and receiving stolen property.The other two passengers were arrested for having weapons while under disability, and the driver was arrested for improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle.Lattimore was charged with a fourth-degree felony for receiving stolen property and his bond was set at $5,000, reports Amie Just of NOLA.com, citing court records.The 24-year-old Lattimore was booked into the Cuyahoga County Jail by the police's gang investigators, according to records obtained by Adam Ferrise of Cleveland.com."Mr. Lattimore, a proud Cleveland native with no prior criminal record or history, is fully cooperating with law enforcement's investigation of this matter," Marcus Sidoti, Lattimore's lawyer, said in a statement, according to Ferrise. "He was a passenger in a vehicle that was stopped by police and was arrested without incident and was not formally charged. We believe that this was a misunderstanding and that this will become even clearer as new information becomes available and is shared with the authorities."Lattimore was the 2017 Defensive Rookie of the Year and earned his third Pro Bowl selection in 2020. He's entering the fifth and final year of his rookie contract with the Saints and went into the offseason as a candidate to receive a lucrative extension.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Seattle Seahawks released defensive tackle Jarran Reed, the team announced Friday.The move comes after the franchise was unable to find a trade partner, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Seattle initially hoped the 2016 second-round pick would help free up cap space by reworking his $23-million deal he signed last year. However, Reed sought a long-term commitment from the franchise.The 28-year-old started 63 games over five seasons in Seattle. He produced 194 tackles, 22 sacks, and 22 tackles for loss.Seattle has re-signed Poona Ford, Benson Mayowa, and Al Woods and added former San Francisco 49ers defensive end Kerry Hyder this offseason.Bryan Mone, Cedrick Lattimore, and Myles Adams are candidates to replace Reed as a starter.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Miami Dolphins traded the No. 3 pick to the San Francisco 49ers for the 12th selection and a first-round pick in 2022 and 2023, the 49ers announced Friday.The 49ers also sent a third-round choice to the Dolphins in 2022. The selection will be the compensatory pick that San Francisco gets for the New York Jets hiring its defensive coordinator, Robert Saleh, to be their head coach as a minority candidate.49ers general manager John Lynch pulled the trigger on, arguably, his boldest move to date on the heels of a 6-10 season that followed a run to Super Bowl LIV.Typically, packaging so many premium picks to move up the draft board would signal an intention to draft a quarterback. However, the 49ers don't have immediate plans to move incumbent starter Jimmy Garoppolo, according to Schefter.Garoppolo, who's missed significant time with injuries in two of the last three seasons and has been criticized at times for his field vision, holds a no-trade clause.In a separate trade, the Dolphins dealt their newly acquired No. 12 pick and a first-rounder in 2022 to the Philadelphia Eagles for the No. 6 pick.NFL draft order: Top 12 picksPickTeam1Jacksonville Jaguars2New York Jets3San Francisco 49ers4Atlanta Falcons5Cincinnati Bengals6Miami Dolphins7Detroit Lions8Carolina Panthers9Denver Broncos10Dallas Cowboys11New York Giants12Philadelphia EaglesThe No. 3 pick initially belonged to the Houston Texans, but the Dolphins acquired it as part of the blockbuster Laremy Tunsil trade in 2019.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The San Francisco 49ers don't plan to deal quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo after trading up Friday to the third overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft."Jimmy is here to stay," a 49ers source told ESPN's Adam Schefter. "He's our guy this season."The Niners will be expected to select a quarterback after parting with significant draft capital to acquire the No. 3 pick. North Dakota State's Trey Lance, Ohio State's Justin Fields, and BYU's Zach Wilson are among projected targets.San Francisco general manager John Lynch said in February that he had no doubt Garoppolo would be the team's starting quarterback."I've watched people go through this in their careers where they struggled early," Lynch said, according to Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk. "It happened to me early, and then I went eight years without missing a practice. So I believe things can happen, and I believe they will for him. I really believe that Jimmy is our guy."Garoppolo, 29, signed a $137.5-million contract extension in 2018 and will account for $26.4 million in cap space next season. He has a no-trade clause in his current deal.He's compiled a 22-8 record in four seasons as a member of the Niners, passing for 7,352 yards, 46 touchdowns, and 26 interceptions while completing 67.5% of his passes.However, injuries and availability have been major issues during Garoppolo's time in the City by the Bay. He missed 23 games in the last three seasons.In the recent past, a combination of C.J. Beathard and Nick Mullens has filled in for the Eastern Illinois product under center.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Philadelphia Eagles traded the No. 6 and No. 156 overall picks in the 2021 draft to the Miami Dolphins for selections No. 12, No. 123, and a 2022 first-rounder, the Eagles announced Friday.The Dolphins reportedly acquired the No. 12 pick earlier in the day in a blockbuster deal with the San Francisco 49ers. In addition to its first-rounder this year, San Francisco sent Miami its next two firsts and a 2022 third in exchange for the No. 3 selection.Miami sent Philadelphia its own 2022 first-rounder, not the one it received from San Francisco, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.The Eagles also tried to acquire the No. 3 pick but only would've made the move if they could land BYU quarterback Zach Wilson, a source told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Rapoport later clarified that while Philadelphia liked Wilson, it ultimately decided moving back and gaining more assets was a better team-building strategy.Wilson is the favorite to be selected by the New York Jets at No. 2, with Trevor Lawrence widely expected to be the Jacksonville Jaguars' pick first overall.Philadelphia could potentially own three first-rounders next season, depending on the conditions of the trade that sent Carson Wentz to the Indianapolis Colts.The Colts will reportedly send the Eagles a first-rounder instead of a second if the quarterback plays 75% of the Indy's snaps this upcoming season or 70% and qualifies for the playoffs.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.