Mouth shields designed to minimize the spread of the COVID-19 virus are expected to be delivered to teams next week for a large-scale test drive, according to ESPN's Tim McManus.There is no requirement for players to wear face shields yet, but safety protocol negotiations between the league and the players' union continue, and the NFL's medical experts are supporting the use of the equipment."That's certainly what we're going to encourage," said Dr. Allen Sills, the NFL's chief medical officer. "And we hope that we're going to land on a product design that's something that everyone would want to wear, because they'll see the value and want that additional protection without any detriment to performance."The Oakley Mouth Shield, developed by NFL and NFL Players Association doctors and engineers, features plastic sheets that attach to the faceguard part of the helmet. The shield does have airways and openings."It is a significant blockage to transmission of droplets. There is no straight pathway through the face shield or visor for a droplet to be transmitted," said Dr. Jeff Crandall, head of the league's engineering committee.To date, models have been sent to the Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Chargers, various player representatives, and equipment managers. Players have been most concerned about the visibility and breathability of the face shield.NFL training camps are scheduled to open in late July.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

DeSean Jackson accepted an invitation to visit Auschwitz as he attempts to make amends with the Jewish community after sharing anti-Semitic quotes incorrectly attributed to Adolf Hitler on social media.Holocaust survivor Edward Mosberg invited the Philadelphia Eagles receiver to visit the former concentration camp in Poland, according to Aaron Reich of The Jerusalem Post.Mosberg is an honorary chairman of From The Depths, an organization dedicated to preserving the memory of the Holocaust that will help plan Jackson's visit.“I grew up in Los Angeles and never really spent time with anyone from the Jewish community and didn’t know much about their history," Jackson said Monday. "This has been such a powerful experience for me to learn and educate myself. ...“I want to take the proper steps to let people know that I never intentionally had any hatred in my heart, I never wanted to put the Jewish community down, I want to educate myself more and help bridge the gaps between all different cultures."Jackson and Mosberg met in a Zoom call initiated by From The Depths founder Jonny Daniels last week in which the Eagles wideout accepted the invitation."We are working with DeSean and his team to set dates for this trip to go ahead and are happy that DeSean agreed," Daniels said in a statement.The Eagles penalized Jackson for conduct detrimental to the team Friday and stated that he must support his apology with actions "in order to remain on the team."Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Washington Redskins are no more.The club announced Monday that it will officially be retiring its team name - which has been used since 1933 - and logo after it completes its "thorough review" of the franchise's name.Owner Daniel Snyder and head coach Ron Rivera will be working closely to develop a new name and design prior to the 2020 season, according to the team. Reports indicated Sunday that a new name won't be revealed immediately, as trademark issues are still pending.Washington began its review of the team's name July 3 after major corporate sponsors - including Nike and FedEx, which owns the naming rights to the franchise's stadium - threatened to cut ties with the organization.The franchise received recent pushback from FedEx in particular. The company reportedly threatened to remove all signage from the venue unless a change was made.Washington will become the fifth active franchise to change names while remaining in the same city, following the Chicago Bears in 1922 (formerly the Staleys), the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1940 (formerly the Pirates), the New York Jets in 1963 (formerly the Titans), and the Tennessee Titans in 1999 (formerly the Oilers).The team reportedly isn't planning to use any Native American imagery in a new nickname.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.It's been a decade since the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won at least 10 games in a season, which the betting market expects them to do this year. It's also been 18 years since a Tom Brady-led team didn't reach double-digit wins. Something has to give in 2020 when the future Hall of Famer stands under center for one of the least successful teams in NFL history.Here are the Buccaneers' win total odds and the case for each side:WINSODDSOver 9-145Under 9+125The overLet's start, as most bettors do, with the offense. The Buccaneers ranked just outside the top 10 in touchdowns per drive in 2019 and third in fewest punts (.294) and three-and-outs (.144) per drive. However, a league-worst turnover rate stalled more than 20% of their possessions, thanks mostly to errant throws by former starting quarterback Jameis Winston.On the other hand, Brady is tied for the fourth-lowest interception rate in NFL history (1.8%), and his New England Patriots turned it over on just 7.6% of drives last year. Few stats predict offensive efficiency as well as turnover rate, and the Bucs should go from one of the most turnover-prone teams to one of the least.That will also help the defense, which was effective by advanced metrics but hamstrung by the offense's terrible habits. Tampa Bay tied for sixth in fewest yards allowed per play (5.1) and ranked fifth in forced turnovers (28), but a league-worst average field position contributed to the defense allowing the fourth-most points in the league.Even if Brady doesn't play at an MVP level, he should correct the turnover woes, and his play and leadership will help both sides of the ball.The underWhat if Brady's relatively underwhelming 2019 is the beginning of a new chapter for the 42-year-old? And if it is, can the rest of the roster overcome it?Brady posted a career-worst touchdown rate (3.9%) and had near-worsts in completion percentage (60.8%), yards per attempt (6.6), and passer rating (88.0) last year. Those numbers all tell a similar story: Brady wasn't very aggressive or efficient in his final season with the Patriots.That was partly due to a depleted receiving corps, which won't be an issue in Tampa Bay. But it also tracks with the expected results of aging; Brady's arm strength will continue to wane as he gets older, as will his ability to fit throws into tight windows and showcase the impeccable accuracy we've come to expect from him.The Bucs don't have an established run game to lean on offensively and also had a leaky secondary and relied heavily on a stout run defense to prevent points. That isn't the best formula to win in a pass-happy NFC South, which could force Brady into a catch-up role he's simply not accustomed to.Which should you bet?This largely comes down to your perception of Brady and his ability to sustain above-average play with a new team. If you believe he's only a marginal upgrade over Winston, it's hard to see the Buccaneers improving by three wins over last year. But if you think he's better than that, it's equally hard to expect regression with a roster that's largely the same outside of quarterback.Call me a bandwagon bettor, but I'm buying the hype on this Tampa Bay squad. It's impossible to overstate just how detrimental the turnovers were last year for an otherwise talented roster with impact players at nearly every key position. The upgrade from Winston to Brady is easily worth betting on, as is a cupcake schedule that should ease the veteran's transition to a new team.(Odds source: theScore Bet)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 © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Washington Redskins are expected to officially retire their nickname on Monday, according to Ben Fischer of the Sports Business Journal.A new nickname won't be announced immediately, as trademark issues are still pending, Fischer adds.Washington announced it began a "thorough review" of the team's name on July 3 after major corporate sponsors - including Nike and FedEx, which owns the naming rights to the franchise's stadium - threatened to cut ties with the organization.Earlier this week, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Washington isn't planning to use Native American imagery in its new name.Head coach Ron Rivera recently said it "would be awesome" if the team changed its name before the 2020 season.Washington has used the Redskins moniker since 1933.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Aaron Rodgers has joined the many NFL players to recently express concerns about playing during the COVID-19 pandemic."I think top of mind is 'are we gonna have a season?'" Rodgers said at this weekend's American Century Championship, according to Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio. "I think there's a lot of things yet to be figured out. We're hopeful, we're hopeful that it's with fans and we can get all the testing procedures down the way they want it for the utmost amount of safety."But I think we're kind of waiting for the league and the (NFLPA) to figure some things out."The NFL and the players' union are reportedly set to meet Monday, aiming to work out return-to-play protocols. The two sides have recently disagreed on COVID-19 guidelines ahead of the upcoming campaign.The league recently sent teams the protocols for an eventual return to work. The preseason is likely to be shortened by two games, though the NFLPA is against staging any August contests at all.Clubs are currently scheduled to begin training camp in late July.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With the July 15 deadline to extend franchise-tagged players approaching, the Dallas Cowboys and Dak Prescott aren't close to reaching a multi-year agreement, Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News reports.Prescott officially signed his franchise tag on June 22 and would make $31.4 million in 2020 under the one-year tender.The Cowboys have failed to secure a long-term extension with their starting quarterback since talks began prior to the 2019 campaign.Prescott turned down multiple offers this offseason. The first would have paid him $33 million per season, and Dallas reportedly later offered to make him the second-highest-paid quarterback by average annual value.Patrick Mahomes has since signed a blockbuster deal worth $45 million in average annual value, making him the NFL's highest-paid player. Russell Wilson and Ben Roethlisberger enjoy the next two most lucrative contracts among QBs at $35 million and $34 million, respectively, and multiple reports indicate Prescott is angling to be paid in that range.The 26-year-old is entering his fifth NFL season. He's earned two Pro Bowl berths and has gone 40-24 as a starter.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Nearly two weeks after he threatened a holdout, star defensive tackle Chris Jones and the Kansas City Chiefs have engaged in talks regarding a long-term contract, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports."I'm told the Chiefs and Jones have begun talking, which is a big victory because it's been quiet for months on that front," Fowler told ESPN's "SportsCenter" on Saturday. "They've really had no communication. They've at least started negotiating."The Chiefs got the Patrick Mahomes deal done. They'd like to move on to Jones, who is considered a top-three defensive tackle, but that's going to cost them well over $20 million. It's just unclear how far they're willing to go at this point, but they want to keep one of their best players."Jones, whom the Chiefs franchise tagged in March, tweeted in late June it's possible he "won't play" without a new deal.The 26-year-old is among the NFL's premier interior defenders and played a significant role in Kansas City's Super Bowl campaign. He earned his first Pro Bowl nod in 2019 after notching nine sacks, though he set a career high with 15.5 the year prior.Jones is set to make $16.1 million in 2020 if he signs the tag, according to Spotrac. He and the Chiefs have until July 15 to ink a multi-year deal or Jones must play under a one-year contract.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.If there's one non-contender from last season the public seems to love in 2020, it's the Pittsburgh Steelers.Head coach Mike Tomlin is no stranger to success, having taken the franchise to the playoffs every season from 2014-17. But after an 8-8 campaign in which not a whole lot went right, the Steelers enter 2020 looking to avoid missing the postseason for a third straight year.Can Tomlin and Co. right the ship, or will they fall short yet again in an improving AFC North?Let's dive into Pittsburgh's win total for the 2020 season and make the case for both sides.How many games will the Steelers win in 2020? OddsOver 9-110Under 9-110Case for the overIf there's any consolation after a disappointing 2019, it's that the offense cannot possibly be worse than it was last year.Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger suffered a season-ending injury in Week 2, leaving backups Devlin Hodges and Mason Rudolph to lead the unit.These were the league's bottom five DVOA offenses in 2019 when all was said and done:Team Offense DVOA % NFL RankSteelers-25.3%32Jets-24.8%31Redskins-20.4%30Bengals-16.5%29Panthers-14.3%28Roethlisberger has always been a gunslinger, even as he's grown older. The 38-year-old has registered at least 7.0 yards per attempt every year in 15 seasons as a primary starter.Neither backup was a logical fit for Pittsburgh's offense. Hodges was ultraconservative, finishing with 6.6 yards per attempt and 5.0 adjusted yards per attempt, while Rudolph completed just 25% of his deep passes.In turn, it set back the supporting cast.Wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster battled injuries and posted nearly 1,000 yards fewer than he did in 2018. Running back James Conner was also banged up and saw his scrimmage yards plummet from 1,470 to 715. Young wideouts James Washington and Diontae Johnson were both solid in spurts, but they would've made more progress with Roethlisberger orchestrating the offense.The Steelers are strong up front. PFF graded the offensive line as the ninth-best unit in football heading into 2020. The skill corps, meanwhile, is young and dynamic. Smith-Schuster, Conner, Washington, and Johnson are all 25 or younger, but it was evident last season that they desperately need a veteran presence under center.If QB1 is back to full health, the unit should run like a well-oiled machine.Defensively, there are few concerns. The Steelers ranked No. 5 in points allowed per game (18.9) last season and trailed only the Patriots and 49ers in DVOA defense.Any way you slice it, over bettors will like Pittsburgh's schedule, too. Based on their opponents' combined win-loss record from last year, the Steelers have the second-easiest path in football; if we instead use their opponents' combined win total for the coming season, they have the eighth-easiest path.Case for the underI said there were few concerns on defense, not none. Though Pittsburgh was one of the best defensive teams in the NFL last season, it enjoyed some serious luck: The Steelers recorded a league-high 38 takeaways, which certainly isn't sustainable on a year-to-year basis.The AFC North could also be tough to navigate. Games against the Ravens and Browns won't be gimmes, and the Bengals should be far more competitive with No. 1 pick Joe Burrow leading the offense.Which should you bet?Over bettors can trust Tomlin; he has yet to post a losing record in 13 seasons with the Steelers.I'd be optimistic about investing in this club. There are very few weak links across a depth chart that was operating far below full strength in 2019.With Roethlisberger returning to a high-upside offense, a formidable defense that remains intact, and one of the league's softest schedules, the Steelers are one of the best over bets on the board this year.(Odds source: theScore Bet).Alex Kolodziej is a betting writer for theScore. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 12 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AJKolodziej.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The National Football League Players Association has submitted an economic proposal that includes no escrow of 2020 salaries and calls for all contracts with guaranteed money be fully paid even if games are canceled, sources told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.The union submitted the proposal in response to the recommendation put forth by the league Tuesday. The NFL proposed 35% of player salaries be held in escrow this season in order to help manage costs should revenue be impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. The players' union has maintained that any such deal should be collectively bargained.The NFL and NFLPA are reportedly set to meet Monday in hopes of agreeing to terms on a return-to-work protocol.The NFLPA's reported counterproposal also includes a flat salary cap in 2021 and the spreading of 2020 revenue losses over the 2022-30 caps. The union also requested that players receive a "COVID-19 risk stipend" of up to $500,000 in the event games are canceled, Pelissero adds, though exact figures would depend on timing and other factors.Both parties are reportedly against a significant salary-cap decrease in 2021, and the NFLPA would prefer that athletes not to be impacted by revenue losses within a single year.The league and the players' union have recently disagreed on other COVID-19 protocols ahead of the upcoming campaign. Though the preseason is likely to be shortened by two games, the NFLPA is against staging any August games at all.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New England Patriots created significant salary cap space relief following settlements in compensation grievances with Antonio Brown and Aaron Hernandez, ESPN's Mike Reiss and Field Yates report.New England will save $4 million against the 2020 cap on Brown's deal and $2.55 million for Hernandez's, per Reiss.Bill Belichick's squad entered the week with less than $500,000 in cap space but now sit at just over $7.79 million with the pair of grievance settlements and a recent contract restructure for running back Rex Burkhead, Yates adds.Brown filed his grievance against the Patriots last October in hopes of receiving his $9-million signing bonus. New England released the receiver after just two weeks following a series of off-field issues.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Warning: Story contains coarse/offensive languagePolice obtained video footage and direct messages suggesting that a friend of New York Giants cornerback DeAndre Baker and Seattle Seahawks cornerback Quinton Dunbar oversaw the payoff of four alleged victims of an armed robbery, Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reports.Baker and Dunbar were charged with armed robbery after witnesses said Baker pointed a gun at party attendees on May 13 and directed two other men, including Dunbar, to take their money and valuables.The evidence is cited in a search warrant Leonard obtained through a public records request. The warrant is seeking access to iCloud accounts associated with Baker and Dunbar.According to the warrant, witness Dominic Johnson, who allegedly oversaw the payoff, wrote in an Instagram direct message May 16:

Arizona Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill is hospitalized with COVID-19 but is expected to be released this weekend, the team announced Friday.Bidwill has been traveling on the East Coast for several weeks and recently developed symptoms. He tested positive for COVID-19 and his doctor advised that he be admitted to hospital.Bidwill's symptoms have subsided, the Cardinals said, and he has not come into contact with any members of the team or its football staff.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pittsburgh Steelers pass-rusher Bud Dupree filed a grievance with the NFLPA hoping to be recognized as a defensive end instead of a linebacker, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Dupree received the franchise tag this offseason and signed the one-year linebacker tender worth $15.8 million in April. If the 27-year-old is considered a defensive end and he plays this season under the tag, he'd earn $17.8 million.Dupree and the Steelers have until July 15 to ink a multi-year contract, but the two sides reportedly aren't close to a deal, Rapoport adds.A first-round pick in 2015, Dupree had a career year in 2019. The Kentucky product posted career highs with 68 tackles, 11.5 sacks, and four forced fumbles in 16 games.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Philadelphia Eagles have penalized receiver DeSean Jackson for conduct detrimental to the team after he shared anti-Semitic quotes falsely attributed to Adolf Hitler on social media Monday.Jackson has accepted the discipline and apologized, but the team stated that Jackson must commit to supporting his words with actions "in order to remain on the team."

Shaq Barrett has informed the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that he will sign his franchise tag, but he also told the team he has filed a grievance with the NFLPA to be recognized as a defensive end instead of a linebacker, his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told ESPN's Adam Schefter.There's a difference of $2 million between what defensive ends and linebackers are paid on the franchise tag. Barrett, who led the NFL in sacks last season with 19.5, would earn $17.8 million as a defensive end and $15.8 million as a linebacker.The 27-year-old is listed as a linebacker in Tampa's 3-4 defense, though he rushed the quarterback on 507 snaps and dropped into coverage on just 66 plays, according to ESPN's Field Yates.Barrett has made $5.6 million during his six seasons in the NFL. He put together a career year while playing on a one-year, $4-million contract with the Buccaneers in 2019.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Jets safety Jamal Adams doesn't want to play without fans, and he thinks supporters should be able to decide whether they will attend games during the upcoming season, he tweeted Friday.

Patrick Mahomes earning a huge second contract from the Kansas City Chiefs was always a matter of when, not if.At 24 years old, Mahomes has won a league MVP and a Super Bowl MVP; both he and the Chiefs had every incentive to do a deal before the start of the 2020 season. Getting it done allows the Chiefs to get out in front of a quarterback market that figures to get increasingly expensive in the years ahead, while Mahomes gets some serious money after being severely underpaid during his first three seasons thanks to the league's rookie pay scale.The widely reported terms suggest Mahomes got an extension that adds 10 years to his existing rookie deal, which means it's a 12-year contract with a value of up to $503 million. It's indeed record-setting in terms of max value, but NFL contracts are always more complicated than they seem. Despite the complexity of this contract, it's not particularly ground-breaking, except for the full value of the deal. Let's take a closer look.What's the complication here? The guy's getting paid.This is going to sound crazy for a deal that could pay Mahomes up to a half-billion dollars, but bear with me. By agreeing to a 10-year extension, Mahomes is likely leaving money on the table. That kind of length is really unusual in today's NFL because it's typically been better for star players to get back to negotiating after just a few years. The salary cap, which is pegged to national TV revenues, has grown 65% since 2011. As a result, a top-of-the-market deal signed in 2020 might be nowhere near the top of the market by 2023 or 2024. As Danny Heifetz pointed out for The Ringer, no NFL player has signed a 10-year deal since Michael Vick in 2004, and of the five players since 2000 who did, none saw those deals reach their conclusion, for a variety of reasons.Why not?Because NFL contracts are not guaranteed. In a lot of cases, that five-year, $70-million deal you read about is really more like two years and $40 million. But this is where Mahomes' contract gets tricky.How so?The Scoop Hound-Industrial Complex has been throwing around the term "guarantee mechanisms," so let's explain what they are. They're basically triggers on certain dates throughout the contract in which future guarantees kick in. They're fairly common, in that they allow teams to go year to year on players while also locking in guarantees for injury or even full guarantees for the player. Todd Gurley had something like this worked into his Los Angeles Rams contract a few years ago. What's different about Mahomes' deal - and what's advantageous for him - is that these guarantees lock in two years in advance across the life of the contract.Can you put that in plain English, please?Tom Pelissero of NFL Media posted how this all breaks down on Twitter:

New York and New Jersey governments won't require members of the New York Giants, New York Jets, or Buffalo Bills to quarantine for two weeks upon entry into their states in late July for training camp.While many who enter New York or New Jersey are subject to quarantine rules due to COVID-19 concerns, professional sports teams won't be asked to isolate for 14 days. However, they will need to pass coronavirus tests before beginning activities."We do have a carve-out for essential travel and a professional sports team would qualify for that carve-out," New Jersey governor Phil Murphy said Friday, according to Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News. "We'd probably, without having put this in stone, I'm sure we'd probably want to do one, and more than one test for the virus when they got here, or ask them to take it as they're leaving wherever their host state is."While listed as New York teams, both the Giants and Jets play at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Bills are based in Western New York.Stricter quarantine rules would have forced members of all three teams to travel to their states two weeks early. Staff from Governor Andrew Cuomo's office told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport that those arriving in New York will be met with a coronavirus test.Said Murphy: "We - along with New York and Connecticut - have asked folks if they're coming from a hot-spot state to self-quarantine for 14 days and get tested. A 14-day quarantine doesn't work in an NFL schedule. So, at least the testing piece would have to be there, and I think if anyone is symptomatic or they've tested positive already, I'd hope they wouldn't get on the plane."Governments are expected to work with the teams to determine how many fans - if any - will be allowed to attend games this fall.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers left tackle Donovan Smith is unsure about the NFL's recent return-to-play proposals."With the start of the 2020 NFL season fast approaching, many thoughts and questions roam my mind," Smith wrote on Instagram Friday. "The unfortunate events of the COVID-19 pandemic have put a halt to a lot of things. Football is not one. To continue discussing the many unknowns does not give me the comfort. Risking my health as well as my family's health does not seem like a risk worth taking.Smith continued: "With my first child due in three weeks, I can't help but think about how will I be able to go to work and take proper precautions around 80-plus people every day to then go home to be with my newborn daughter ... How can I make sure that I don't bring COVID-19 back to my household?"The NFL and NFLPA have disagreed on different aspects regarding return-to-play protocols ahead of training camp and have yet to announce game-day guidelines. The proposed rules reportedly include banning jersey exchanges between players after games.Smith acknowledges the league's attempt to find a solution for the situation, but the 27-year-old still sees unanswered questions."Yes, we can get tested every day, but if it takes 24 hours to get my results, how can I know each day that I am not spreading this virus or contracting it?" Smith said.The NFL also reportedly proposed that 35% of player salaries be held in escrow this year to help manage costs in case revenue is impacted by the pandemic. To Smith, playing under those conditions should "at least warrant a pay raise due to the risk, not a cut.""I am not a lab rat or guinea pig to test theories on," Smith added. "I am a man, a son, brother, soon-to-be father, and I deserve to be safe at work."Smith, a second-round pick in 2015, is expected to protect Tom Brady's blindside this season. He started 15 games in 2019 and posted the best overall season of his career, according to PFF.In late June, two players and one coach from the Buccaneers tested positive for coronavirus.Players are weighing sitting out this season, especially athletes with serious asthma concerns, including one elite unknown player, according to Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports. Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller, who has asthma, tested positive for coronavirus in April.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.When the Chiefs signed quarterback Patrick Mahomes to a record-breaking 10-year extension earlier this week, their goal was clear: Win as many championships as possible behind the reigning Super Bowl MVP.But just how many can they win during that time? Mahomes is now secured for 12 seasons, and only one team (Patriots) has notched more than two Super Bowls victories in a 13-year span since the 49ers and Cowboys dominated the 90s.Oddsmakers think the Chiefs are next in line, pricing them as favorites to collect two more Lombardi trophies by 2031:How many Super Bowls will Chiefs win from 2020-21 to 2031-32?TitlesOver 1.5-125Under 1.5-105That timeline, of course, lines up with the expected end date of Mahomes' megadeal, which both keeps the 2018 MVP in Kansas City for over a decade, and makes it tough for the team to build around him.A cap conundrumLet's start with the positives: Mahomes is the league's most valuable player, and he's worth every dollar of his extension.He's recorded the highest win percentage (77.8%) of any quarterback in NFL history (minimum 30 starts), and the Chiefs could have won back-to-back Super Bowls in his two years as a starter if not for an interception-erasing offside penalty in the 2018 AFC Championship Game.If the Chiefs fail to win multiple Super Bowls over the next 12 years, though, Mahomes' play likely won't be to blame. Instead, point the finger at his contract.In the first 28 years of the Super Bowl from 1966 to 1993, six teams repeated as champions. In the 26 years since the introduction of the salary cap (1994), that's only happened twice, and not since 2003-04. And since 1995, no team has won the Super Bowl with a quarterback's cap hit occupying over 12% of the salary cap.Mahomes' 2020 salary is still well below that percentage, but his expected 2021 cap hit is $24.8 million, which would be 12.5% of the cap if it remains stagnant. Realistically, the 2021 cap could drop by $40-80 million due to the coronavirus pandemic, while Mahomes' own cap charge steadily climbs to $42.5 million in 2023 and almost $60 million by 2027.Too many mouths to feedThere's a reason no team has won with a high-priced quarterback. Clubs with cheap QBs can afford to acquire impact players and extend stars before they hit free agency. Once Mahomes' extension kicks in, both will be difficult for Kansas City.Take Chris Jones, for example. The defensive tackle was arguably the most important player outside of Mahomes during the team's Super Bowl win, and he's threatening to skip this season if the 26-year-old doesn't get a lucrative extension. Tyreek Hill, the key weapon for Mahomes' cannon arm, is owed $54.3 million over the next three seasons, and he could be a cap casualty in 2021. Travis Kelce hits the market a year later.When you start stripping away the pieces that helped Kansas City win four straight division titles, what's left aside from Mahomes? Even the best quarterbacks of all time needed help, and if the Chiefs find core talent in the draft - as they did in 2019 with safety Juan Thornhill - the bill comes due in four years.Kansas City's best chance to win again is this season, when it enters the year with 4-1 title odds at theScore Bet and a cheap cap charge for Mahomes. But as we outlined in the team's win total preview, the squad still faces major defensive questions, which will be harder to answer as the budget gets tighter.It's no fun to bet the under on a 12-year prop, but the smart money lies in fading the Chiefs and their newly paid QB.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 © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Jacksonville Jaguars announced Friday that they will allow fans at TIAA Bank Field for the 2020 season at a maximum of 25% capacity."The health and safety of the entire Jaguars family, including our fans, remains our highest priority," the team said in a statement. "Alongside our stadium partners and national and local healthcare experts, we have and will continue to work diligently to develop new protocols to ensure our team can return to the field with a clear focus on winning and our fans can return to the stadium with peace of mind."It was our sincere hope to welcome a capacity crowd to TIAA Bank Field this fall and celebrate together with the First Coast community. However, with the health and well-being of everyone in mind, the Jaguars anticipate reducing capacity this season ... Once the season begins, any future increase in capacity will depend on developments on the health and safety front."Jacksonville is the latest club to disclose plans to host fans for home games amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, and Green Bay Packers were among the others to announce limited capacity for 2020, though not every franchise set a specific number or percentage limit.Jaguars fans will be required to wear a mask in the venue, while alterations to the stadium will be completed to improve sanitation.The NFL said in June it won't dictate attendance limits for the upcoming season and told teams to instead follow their local health guidelines on social distancing.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Shortly after asking the Washington Redskins to find a new nickname, FedEx notified the team in a second letter that all signage from the stadium would be removed following the 2020 season unless its name was changed, Liz Clarke of The Washington Post reports.The second letter noted that the name posed the risk of harming FedEx's brand image and was seen as inconsistent with its commitment to a more inclusive society, per Clarke.The shipping company owns the naming rights to the franchise's stadium in a deal that took effect in 1999 and runs through 2025.FedEx was one of three sponsors - the others being Nike and PepsiCo. - to receive a letter signed by 87 investment firms and shareholders last week asking them to cut ties with Washington unless the nickname was changed.Frederick Smith, the company's founder, is a minority owner. Smith has already begun selling shares because he's unhappy doing business with team owner Daniel Snyder, a source told Clarke.Snyder purchased the franchise and its current stadium in 1999.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

In the second part of a series in which we identify the best current NFL players across a number of categories, theScore selects the top talent at every age from 20 to 42. (Only players signed to a roster were considered.)Best of the NFL:

In the penultimate part of a series in which we identify the best current NFL players across a number of categories, theScore selects the top professional wearing each jersey number from 1 to 50. (Only players signed to a roster were considered.)Best of the NFL:

Get ready for your season with theScore's 2020 Fantasy Football Draft Kit and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.theScore's Justin Boone delivers his bold predictions for the upcoming fantasy season.Minshew a top-10 fantasy QB Andy Lyons / Getty Images Sport / GettyAfter surprising the football world as a sixth-round rookie thrust into a starting role, Gardner Minshew takes a second-year leap under new offensive coordinator Jay Gruden. In the new system, the young passer improves his completion percentage and overall efficiency while continuing to generate yards with his legs. His underrated rushing production helps turn Minshew Mania into a weekly fantasy starter.

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.For just the second time since 2001, a quarterback other than Tom Brady will start the season under center for the New England Patriots. With Brady now in Tampa Bay, newly signed signal-caller Cam Newton is the heavy favorite to be the Patriots' starter when New England opens the 2020 season against the Miami Dolphins.Here are the odds for the Patriots' starting quarterback, with a breakdown of the top contenders:PlayerOddsCam Newton-330Jarrett Stidham+220Brian Hoyer+1000Brian Lewerke+6000Newton -330Most people believe Newton will emerge as the starter in New England, and the odds reflect that. The biggest issue with Newton is health. Before he suffered a shoulder injury in 2018, Newton's passer grade from PFF was 86.4 - seventh-best in the NFL. Newton's play has declined since the injury, however, and he's 0-8 in his last eight games as a starter. He certainly looks healthy and motivated based on recent social media posts, which is good news for the Patriots:

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.No NFC East team surpassed its win total last season. The Philadelphia Eagles, however, were the closest.In danger of finishing below .500, the Eagles ran the table down the stretch, going 9-7 to win the division title for the second time in three years. But ultimately, they fell short of their 9.5 win total.Philadelphia has been given the same total in 2020. Will the franchise come through this time around, or spurn bettors yet again?Let's make the case for both the over and under, and assess the value.How many games will the Eagles win in 2020? OddsOver 9.5-110Under 9.5-110Case for the overThere's no way the roster endures as many injuries as it did in 2019.The Eagles lost 13 players to the injured reserve last campaign. By the time Week 17 rolled around, nine Week 1 starters were still out. Factoring in the quality of their injured players, the Eagles were the second-unluckiest team in the league last season.Now, a healthy Philadelphia squad possesses the talent to wreak havoc in the NFC.PFF recently ranked the Eagles' offensive line as the league's 10th-best, a year after the unit sat No. 1. The group has never been a weak link under head coach Doug Pederson.The skill-position corps' production also comes down to health. Philly's top three wide receivers missed a combined 24 regular-season games in 2019, with two running backs landing on the IR.Tailback Miles Sanders is now primed for a huge second year, rookie wide receiver Jalen Reagor joins an exciting pass-catching group, and quarterback Carson Wentz could very well turn in his best statistical season.Over bettors will also like how the schedule lines up. Philadelphia's combined opponents' win percentage from last season is just .486, good for the league's seventh-easiest path.Case for the underThe advanced metrics didn't give the Eagles a break following the 2019 campaign despite the injury bug. Estimated wins pegged them for a slight bump (9.2 projected victories), while the Pythagorean wins forecast was a bit lower (8.8.).Defensively, the Eagles' secondary has been inconsistent. The team brought in plenty of reinforcements to improve on last season's No. 16 pass defense DVOA. That includes cornerback Darius Slay, who's coming off the second-worst coverage grade of his career, according to PFF.Which should you bet?After all four NFC East teams went under their win total in 2019, I've already recommended going over on the Dallas Cowboys. Do the same with the Eagles.Not every team that experienced bad luck the year prior is due for a rebound, and vice versa. But how Philadelphia performed despite suffering countless injuries grabbed my attention. Winning nine games and the division with a plethora of backups is pretty damn impressive.Everything is coming together now for the club's roster. The offense should be significantly healthier in 2020, while the defense made a couple of key repairs through free agency and the draft.Is Philadelphia a legitimate Super Bowl contender? I wouldn't bet on it. But 10 regular-season wins is certainly in the cards.Pick: Over(Odds source: theScore Bet).Alex Kolodziej is a betting writer for theScore. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 12 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AJKolodziej.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

NFL training camps are set to begin in less than a month, but Houston Texans superstar J.J. Watt says players haven't decided if they will play out the 2020 season amid the coronavirus pandemic."I've been on the NFLPA calls the last couple times we've had them. ... I don't think we're at a point yet where people are making that decision because we don't have enough information yet to be making decisions like that," Watt said Wednesday, according to ESPN's Sarah Barshop."So I think that it's a very fluid process, and I think it keeps coming up. Obviously ... the report date gets closer and closer. But as of right now, we really don't have enough information to make a decision."The NFL and players' association have yet to determine COVID-19 protocols, whether a portion of players' salaries will be held in escrow, and the number of preseason games that would be played, if any."As a vet, personally, do I think that preseason games for somebody in my situations is absolutely necessary? I would say, I don't think so," the nine-year pro added."But I think there are a whole bunch of people who need those opportunities and who live for those opportunities. I mean, it can literally change a life. So I see, I see the other side of it where somebody could literally have their entire dream come true because of those games, so that's a very difficult debate to have."Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Running back Raheem Mostert requested a trade from the San Francisco 49ers after the two sides couldn't agree to new contract terms, his agent announced Wednesday on Twitter.

The Washington Redskins franchise isn't planning to use any Native American imagery in a new nickname as it discusses a potential change, a source told Adam Schefter of ESPN.The franchise announced a "thorough review" of the nickname last week after multiple sponsors, investors, and shareholders threatened to cut ties if it wasn't changed."This process allows the team to take into account not only the proud tradition and history of the franchise, but also input from our alumni, the organization, sponsors, the National Football League, and the local community it is proud to represent on and off the field," owner Dan Snyder said in a statement.Washington's nickname change is reportedly expected to happen, and head coach Ron Rivera said he hopes it's implemented before the season.Among the sponsors that asked for a name change are FedEx, which owns the naming rights to the team's stadium, and Nike, the team's uniforms and equipment supplier. Nike recently removed all of the team's gear from its website.Copyright © 2020 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, Scott Fish joins Boone to discuss the Scott Fish Bowl and suggest some interesting ways fantasy managers can spice up their leagues.

The NFL and NFLPA are discussing player opt-outs for the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network."My understanding is both the union and the league intend to have an opt-out for players who have either a preexisting condition, family (members) with preexisting conditions, just general concerns over COVID-19, would not want to play this season," Pelissero said, according to Kevin Patra of NFL.com."General managers were told on a call earlier this week there would be a specific date by which players would need to opt-out," he continued. "That date is still to be determined."Pelissero adds that the league and union are still also trying to decide if the contracts of players who opt-out will toll over.On Tuesday, Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs was the latest big-name player to raise concerns about playing amid the coronavirus.

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.The Chiefs made Patrick Mahomes the richest man in sports history this week, but it won't mean much for their title defense in 2020.Instead, questions about regression and a vulnerable defense will define Kansas City after consecutive 12-win seasons. Can this club pull off another stellar campaign?Here are the Chiefs' win total odds and the case for each side:WINSODDSOver 11.5-125Under 11.5+105Case for the overThis team's chances of hitting the over clearly start with Mahomes, who led Kansas City to a Super Bowl title in his second year as a starter. In both campaigns, the Chiefs ranked in the top three in yards per drive and points per drive, even with Mahomes missing two games last year.The scary part is this year's offense could be even better. All of Kansas City's relevant receivers return to bolster a passing attack built perfectly for Mahomes' cannon arm, and the team spent a first-round pick on running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who already profiles as one of the NFL's best pass-catching backs. Good luck stopping this offense.But can the defense do its part? It certainly did to close out 2019. After allowing 28.8 points per game through Week 10, the Chiefs gave up 21.6 points per contest during their nine-game winning streak that stretched into the playoffs.Much of that happened due to the emergence of rookie Juan Thornhill, who was arguably a top-10 safety last year, helping to stabilize Kansas City's shaky secondary over the back half of the season. If he's back and fully healthy to start 2020 after suffering an ACL injury, the Chiefs' defense could hit the ground running.Case for the underUnfortunately for the Chiefs, Thornhill's season-ending injury occurred in Week 17 last year, and he might not return for the start of 2020. And even he's ready, there are bigger problems for this defense to address.More than once last year, teams exploited the middle of Kansas City's defense with a punishing run game that kept Mahomes and Co. off the field. That approach will be even more effective if Chris Jones, one of the game's premier interior defenders, misses the year amid a difficult contract dispute. The Chiefs still fielded the league's worst run defense with him in the middle.Kansas City's weak defense is particularly troubling given the rest of the division's makeup, as the AFC West projects to be markedly better this season. The Chargers are easing in a new quarterback, but they should trot out an excellent defense to compete well with the Chiefs. The Broncos' run-heavy offense is built to exploit the Chiefs' defense. The Raiders' offense is constructed similarly, and their horrific defense should look much different in 2020.It all adds up to a tough slate for Kansas City, even if oddsmakers are skeptical of those teams' chances to make the playoffs. The Chiefs can't afford to split those six divisional matchups if they hope to win 12 games for a third straight year.Which should you bet?Since 2006, 60 teams have won 12-plus games, but only 19 repeated that the following season, according to Pro Football Focus. One was Kansas City last year, and head coach Andy Reid did it twice with the Eagles in the early 2000s.We've seen how tough it is to achieve that feat, and Mahomes' 2019 injury is a reminder of how quickly things can change for top teams. Last year's champs winning 10 games feels like a lock. But 12 wins? Take the under at plus-money and bet on the defense returning to its old ways.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 © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Lamar Jackson's meteoric rise to superstardom has been fueled in large part due to Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh's willingness to alter his team's identity to best cater to the young quarterback's unique skill set.Harbaugh's bold approach paid off big time last year. Jackson earned the MVP award and broke the single-season quarterback rushing record, and the Ravens won a league-high 14 regular-season games.Despite only being together for two seasons, Jackson knows he has a kindred spirit in Harbaugh."I feel like I have a great relationship with coach Harbaugh because we both want to win," Jackson told Dan Pompei of The Athletic on Tuesday. "We both are competitive. We hate losing. I think you need that in a quarterback-and-coach relationship … We both don't take any crap. That's what I see in coach Harbaugh, and that's why I love him so much because every time we talk, there's something with him competing. He's always competing."The trust between Jackson and Harbaugh was sparked by the head coach's decision to bench Joe Flacco in favor of the then-first-year quarterback midway through 2018. Jackson immediately proved Harbaugh right, leading Baltimore to a 6-1 finish and the AFC North title."Back in my rookie season, he had faith in me to go out there and play," Jackson said. "They put me out there, as a rookie with no games under (my) belt, to try to lead this team to the playoffs. And we end up going to the playoffs my rookie season. Just him having faith in me, that's why I trust him so much."Jackson and Harbaugh will likely be heading into this season with extra motivation after their 2019 campaign ended with a double-digit loss to the 10-point underdog Tennessee Titans in the divisional round. It was the duo's second straight immediate playoff exit.The reigning MVP admitted in June that the Ravens underestimated the Titans and were guilty of "peeking ahead" to future postseason opponents.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

In the first part of a series that identifies the best current NFL players across a number of categories, theScore selects the top professional from each Power 5 school. (Only players signed to a roster were considered.)Best of the NFL:

The NFLPA informed its board of representatives Tuesday that the league proposed 35% of player salaries be held in escrow this season to help manage costs in case revenue is impacted by the pandemic, sources told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.The union reportedly maintains any such deal should be collectively bargained."Basically, we told them to kick rocks," NFLPA executive Don Davis told players on a conference call, according to Pelissero.The two sides are also at odds over the use of coronavirus-related face shields on helmets, according to Mark Maske of the Washington Post. The NFL wants them to be mandatory, but the players' association wants to only encourage use during training camp and evaluate them via testing and feedback before the season.Face shields are already a popular item among collegiate programs.

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson shared anti-Semitic quotes falsely attributed to Adolf Hitler in an Instagram story Monday.

It isn't a surprise that Patrick Mahomes became the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL. However, instead of signing a four- or five-year pact that would give him a chance to reset the position market again, the Super Bowl LIV MVP essentially decided to become a member of the Kansas City Chiefs for life."Signing a short-term contract (is) kind of that bet-on-yourself type of thing, but also, you never know what can happen in this sport. I think that's the biggest thing about football," Mahomes said in a press conference Tuesday, also mentioning the overall economic uncertainty at present.He added, "I just wanted to have the security of knowing that I'm going to be a Kansas City Chief for a long time. ... We did a good job with (agent) Chris (Cabott) and (general manager) Brett (Veach) and all of those guys of having enough money to pay all the guys around me. ... We're going to be a good football team for a long time."Mahomes inked a historic 10-year contract extension with the Chiefs on Monday. Including the two years left on his rookie contract, he'll have a chance to earn $503 million over the next 12 seasons.The megadeal, which is the richest contract in sports history, runs through 2031 and carries a base value of $477 million over those 12 years, with an extra $25 million available in incentives.Head coach Andy Reid's intent to stick around and Veach's recent performance also played a role in Mahomes' decision."I talked to (Reid) I think before I signed the deal, and what he said that he had no thoughts of even retiring anytime soon. Obviously that's a huge part in it," Mahomes said. "I think having Brett Veach, a young general manager who's done a great job of drafting and putting a lot of great players around me, was definitely another huge boost of confidence."Reid, 62, ranks sixth in NFL history with 207 regular-season wins, the second-most among active head coaches.Mahomes has taken the league by storm since he became a starter in 2018, one year after being drafted 10th overall.During the 2018 regular season, he became the second quarterback in NFL history to amass at least 5,000 passing yards and 50 touchdowns. In the following campaign, Mahomes helped the Chiefs win their first Super Bowl in 50 years.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

ESPN's Adam Schefter may have been the first reporter to break the news of Patrick Mahomes' record-breaking contract extension, but he wasn't the first person to be tipped off to the deal.Hours before Schefter first tweeted about the 10-year extension Monday, a Kansas City liquor store employee named Katie Camlin shared her suspicions of the deal after selling six bottles of champagne to a team employee.

For those unfamiliar, all you need to know about Dan Snyder, who's owned and mismanaged Washington's football franchise since 1999, can be found right here in a press release the team issued Friday afternoon:

The Kansas City Chiefs and quarterback Patrick Mahomes agreed to a 10-year contract extension, the team announced Monday.Mahomes will have a chance to earn $503 million over the next 12 seasons including incentives and the two remaining years on his rookie contract, his agency announced. The megadeal will run through the 2031 season and carry a base value of $477 million over that 12-year period, with another $25 million available in incentives.The $477 million comes with guaranteed mechanisms, meaning Kansas City must either guarantee Mahomes' salary a full year in advance or cut him, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The deal also includes a no-trade clause.It's the richest contract in sports history, carrying a new-money average of $45 million per season.Highest-paid QBs in NFLRankPlayerAverage Annual Salary1Patrick Mahomes$45M2Russell Wilson$35M3Ben Roethlisberger$34MT-4Aaron Rodgers$33.5MT-4Jared Goff$33.5M6Kirk Cousins$33M7Carson Wentz$32MMahomes has been on a torrid pace since replacing Alex Smith as the Chiefs' starter two years ago. He took the NFL by storm in 2018, throwing for over 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns en route to MVP honors. He led the Chiefs to Super Bowl LIV in 2019, and he was named the game's MVP after engineering a 10-point comeback against the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth quarter.Before Mahomes, the Chiefs had recorded just one playoff win since 1993. Kansas City hadn't hoisted the Lombardi Trophy since Super Bowl IV.With Mahomes in the saddle, Kansas City has been nearly unstoppable offensively. The Chiefs ranked first in points per game in 2018, and fifth last year despite Mahomes missing two contests due to a knee injury.The Chiefs went into the offseason prioritizing an extension for their superstar, but negotiations were believed to be slowed by uncertainty surrounding the future of the salary cap because of the COVID-19 pandemic.Kansas City traded up in the 2017 NFL Draft to select Mahomes 10th overall. He was the second quarterback taken after the Chicago Bears drafted Mitchell Trubisky with the No. 2 overall pick.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Kansas City Chiefs are locking up Patrick Mahomes for the next decade, as the parties agreed Monday to a 10-year extension worth up to $503 million.While such instances are rare, Mahomes isn't the first recipient of a contract spanning 10-plus years. Here's how the other decade-long deals panned out:March 2001: Brett Favre gets 10 years, $100M from PackersFavre didn't anticipate playing beyond 2006 but took a 10-year deal at 31 to help Green Bay massage the salary cap. Though his best days were behind him, Favre still led the NFL in passing touchdowns once and gave the Packers four Pro Bowl seasons after signing the deal. The club made the playoffs five times over the next seven years, and Favre broke the NFL career passing touchdowns record in a Packers uniform.Favre didn't finish the contract in Green Bay, though, as he was traded to the New York Jets in 2008 after ending a brief retirement. The Jets released him in 2009 after he retired again, and he signed a fresh contract when he made a second comeback as a member of the Minnesota Vikings.March 2001: Drew Bledsoe gets 10 years, $103M from PatriotsBledsoe was already regarded as the greatest quarterback in Patriots history by the time he signed his deal. And at 29, it appeared he was signing up to spend the rest of his career in New England. But Bledsoe played only two more games for the Patriots, as an injury in Week 2 of the 2001 season spelled the beginning of the Tom Brady era. Action ImagesBledsoe helped the Patriots reach the Super Bowl that year after relieving an injured Brady in the AFC Championship Game and collected a ring as Brady's backup. Bill Belichick and Co. traded him to the Buffalo Bills that offseason with nine years left on his contract. While Bledsoe got off to a hot start with his new team, he fizzled the following season and was released after the 2004 campaign.September 2002: Donovan McNabb gets 12 years, $115M from EaglesMcNabb owns the record for the longest contract in NFL history. At 26, he agreed to a 12-year pact with Philadelphia. The deal quickly paid dividends, as McNabb led the Eagles to a Super Bowl berth two years after signing. The Eagles were perennial contenders with McNabb, though they never hoisted the Lombardi Trophy or returned to the Big Game after the 2004 season.Shockingly, the Eagles traded him to the Washington Redskins in 2010 with four years remaining on his contract. Though only 34, McNabb's game fell off quickly in Washington, which made the five-year extension he received midway through the 2010 campaign a head-scratcher. He was relegated to third-string duties late in the season and was traded to the Vikings in July 2011. McNabb spent less than one miserable season in Minnesota before he was released, and he retired soon after.May 2003: Daunte Culpepper gets 10 years, $102M from VikingsOne of the most exciting young quarterbacks in football at the time, Culpepper was 26 when he inked his extension. He immediately rewarded the Vikings with two of his best seasons. In 2004, Culpepper established a new NFL record for total yards by a quarterback, racking up 5,123. He led the league in passing that year with over 4,700 yards. Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images Sport / GettyBut he got off to a horrid start in 2005, and in late October, he tore his ACL, MCL, and PCL. The Vikings shipped him to the Miami Dolphins, who were more encouraged by his injury outlook than that of Drew Brees. Culpepper struggled with the Dolphins and was released after one year, with six seasons remaining on his contract. The three-time Pro Bowler had forgettable stints with the Oakland Raiders and Detroit Lions before exiting the NFL for good.December 2004: Michael Vick gets 10 years, $130M from FalconsAtlanta gave a 24-year-old Vick, perhaps the most electrifying quarterback the NFL had ever seen, the richest contract in league history. Vick steered the Falcons to the NFC divisional round that year and appeared to be ascending, but he plateaued. While he became the first quarterback to rush for 1,000 yards in a season in 2006, his lack of progress as a passer kept him from joining the top echelon of quarterbacks and the Falcons from becoming a Super Bowl threat.Everything came crashing down in the summer of 2007, as Vick was arrested for his role in a dogfighting ring and spent most of the next two years in prison. The Falcons recovered nearly $20 million in arbitration, and the signal-caller signed with the Eagles upon returning to professional football.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Las Vegas Raiders made an offer to free-agent defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, report Tashan Reed and Vic Tafur of The Athletic.However, the Raiders are in a "distant" third place and don't appear close to landing the former No. 1 pick, sources told Reed and Tafur.The Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans, and Cleveland Browns were previously reported to have made offers this offseason, with the Browns presenting the most lucrative deal.Raiders head coach Jon Gruden is a big fan of Clowney, however, and would like to increase the bid, according to Cecil Lammey of 1043 The Fan.Clowney, 27, was expected to be one of the first high-profile free agents to sign this offseason. However, his market didn't turn out as expected, and he lowered his asking price from $20 million annually to around $17 million to $18 million.The three-time Pro Bowler played one season in Seattle after being traded from the Houston Texans, racking up 31 tackles, three sacks, four forced fumbles, and one interception through 13 contests. Clowney has played a full 16 games only once in six NFL campaigns.Las Vegas was a bottom-10 team in sacks last year with 32 and pressured opposing quarterbacks in less than 20% of their dropbacks.The Raiders currently have just $8.28 million in cap space, according to Over The Cap.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

U.S. President Donald Trump is against potential name changes for the Washington Redskins and Cleveland Indians.Trump tweeted Monday that sports teams are named for "strength, not weakness," adding that the Redskins and Indians are changing their names "in order to be politically correct.""Indians, like (Massachusetts Sen.) Elizabeth Warren, must be very angry right now!" Trump wrote.

In addition to testing its players for COVID-19, the NFL is also planning to test players' family members and cohabitants prior to the start of training camp in July, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports."Right now, the NFL and NFLPA, though, still finalizing their testing protocols," Pelissero said, according to Kevin Patra of NFL.com. "What I can tell you is that under the current protocol, there would be an initial intake screening that would consist of two different tests: one for the virus, that would be a nasal swab, as well as one for antibodies, which would consist of a finger prick.""... I am told that the plan would be to also test players' family members and anyone else who they are cohabiting with, give them an initial test as well," he added. "Everyone is confident that they'll be able to get those results back within 24 hours."Now it's important to understand, this is not a bubble that the NFL is doing here but it is an ecosystem; that is something that Dr. Thom Mayer from the union and Dr. Allen Sills from the NFL emphasized to players in a conference call on Friday, which is that testing alone is not a magic bullet, it's also about wearing masks, social distancing, your behavior even when you are away from the facility."The league has told teams that camps - which are slated to start for most clubs on July 28 - will open as scheduled despite the coronavirus pandemic. Commissioner Roger Goodell also said teams should prepare to host games at their stadiums.The preseason is reportedly set to be cut from four games to two, giving teams time to make up for the missed organized team activities earlier in the offseason. However, the NFLPA reportedly voted unanimously in favor of the league eliminating the preseason altogether for the 2020 campaign.The NFL has said it intends to play the upcoming season in full and in front of fans, though the league reportedly could ask those attending games to sign a liability waiver.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

ESPN Films will produce a docuseries on Colin Kaepernick's life in tandem with his production company, Ra Vision Media, the Walt Disney Company announced Monday.Kaepernick and ESPN agreed to a deal that will see the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback work closely with The Undefeated, an ESPN branch dedicated to the intersection of sports and culture. The partnership will shine a spotlight on scripted and unscripted stories that explore race, social injustice, and the pursuit of equity. The Kaepernick docuseries is the first project being developed."I am excited to announce this historic partnership with Disney across all of its platforms to elevate Black and brown directors, creators, storytellers, and producers, and to inspire the youth with compelling and authentic perspectives," Kaepernick stated. "I look forward to sharing the docuseries on my life story, in addition to many other culturally impactful projects we are developing."Kaepernick last played in the NFL in 2016, the year he began protesting systemic racism and police brutality by kneeling during the national anthem. He led the 49ers to an appearance in Super Bowl XLVII four year earlier."Colin has had a singular path as both an athlete and an activist, and, as the nation continues to confront racism and social injustice, it feels particularly relevant to hear Colin's voice on his evolution and motivations," said ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro.At the request of Kaepernick, former ESPN broadcaster Jamele Hill will be a producer on the project.Previously, Netflix announced it was collaborating with Kaepernick on a scripted series about his teen years.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Jets rookie Denzel Mims had some harsh words for the city of Philadelphia on a video game stream over the weekend.When asked about his pre-draft visit with the Eagles, the former Baylor wide receiver described Philadelphia as a "dirty ass, trash ass city."

Three members of the Washington Redskins ownership group are actively trying to sell their stakes in the team, report Liz Clarke, Mark Maske, and Les Carpenter of The Washington Post.Minority owners Robert Rothman, Dwight Schar, and Frederick Smith own 40% of the team and have already hired an investment banking firm to aid in the search for potential buyers, The Post reports.The trio is reportedly "not happy being a partner" with majority owner Daniel Snyder.Rothman is the chairman of Black Diamond Capital, Schar is chairman of NVR Inc., and Smith is chairman of FedEx, which owns the naming rights to the team's stadium. On Thursday, FedEx asked the organization to change its nickname.Snyder and Redskins head coach Ron Rivera have been in discussions for weeks about changing the team name. Those discussions have recently included the league office.As of 2019, the Redskins were the seventh-most valuable NFL franchise, evaluated at $3.4 billion.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Get ready for your season with theScore's 2020 Fantasy Football Draft Kit and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.Fantasy owners who miss out on the elite tight ends often wait until much later in the draft to address the position, confident they'll find the next breakout star.It's a good plan - if you can pinpoint which tight ends will return value.Who will exceed expectations?