A San Francisco 49ers player who was working out with teammates in Nashville tested positive for COVID-19, sources told Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.The rest of the group, which includes all of the 49ers' quarterbacks, was tested Friday morning and awaits results, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.The 49ers said in a statement that they can't comment on the health of their employees due to federal and state privacy laws, according to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle.Coordinated by quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, player-organized 49ers workouts have been going on for weeks but only recently moved to Nashville. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel suffered a foot injury during a throwing session this week and reportedly will be sidelined for at least 12 weeks.Multiple Houston Texans and Dallas Cowboys players, including running back Ezekiel Elliott, reportedly tested positive for coronavirus recently, as did Denver Broncos defensive back Kareem Jackson.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.On Thursday, we learned the Los Angeles Chargers and Los Angeles Rams will both be featured on HBO's "Hard Knocks," the first time two teams will share the stage in the summer documentary series.This year's version will undoubtedly look a little different - both with two subjects and with restrictions amid the COVID-19 pandemic - but bettors can still take note of how past teams performed under the bright lights. Is the "Hard Knocks" curse a real thing?Here's how each featured team has fared relative to preseason expectations since the show was first broadcast in 2001:YEARTEAMWIN TOTALRECORDPLAYOFFS2020Los Angeles Chargers7.5N/AN/A2020Los Angeles Rams8.5N/AN/A2019Oakland Raiders67-9No2018Cleveland Browns67-8-1No2017Tampa Bay Buccaneers8.55-11No2016Los Angeles Rams7.54-12No2015Houston Texans8.59-7Wild-card round2014Atlanta Falcons8.56-10No2013Cincinnati Bengals8.511-5Wild-card round2012Miami Dolphins77-9No2010New York Jets9.511-5AFC Championship Game2009Cincinnati Bengals710-6Wild-card round2008Dallas Cowboys10.59-7No2007Kansas City Chiefs7.54-12No2002Dallas Cowboys65-11No2001Baltimore Ravens1110-6Divisional round(2020 odds source: theScore Bet)A 'Hard Knocks' lifeYou wouldn't know it from basic win total data - teams have gone 7-6-1 to the under after appearing on "Hard Knocks" - but overall, few teams have been factors in the postseason.The 14 teams featured on the show had an average win total of eight but combined for just three playoff wins, and nine of the teams missed the postseason altogether. Only the 2001 Ravens and 2010 Jets found any success in the playoffs, and both were coming off deep runs the year prior.For teams in the Chargers' and Rams' range, the results have been even worse. Six teams entered the year with a preseason total between 7.5 and 8.5 wins. Four of the six fell short of their win total by a combined 13 games, and none of the six won a playoff contest.That group includes the 2016 Rams, perhaps the most high-profile bust in the show's history. The team had just moved from St. Louis to Los Angeles and entered the season with lofty expectations after trading up for No. 1 pick Jared Goff in that year's draft. Instead, the team won just four games over a miserable campaign, which included Jeff Fisher getting canned after a blowout loss in Week 14.Maybe it's all coincidence. Maybe the fine folks at HBO just have an eye for personnel drama, which naturally lends itself to dysfunctional seasons. That said, the Rams and Chargers are both entering transition periods with their respective rosters, so they're prime candidates for the type of disappointment we've seen with past participants.So perhaps think twice before laying money on either of the two L.A. teams, who will likely become hot betting commodities during the height of the show. The cameras haven't been a harbinger of success.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.

Even in these times of great uncertainty, there is comfort in knowing the New York Jets can be counted on to potentially screw up a good thing.The Jets' best player, safety Jamal Adams, wants a new contract. With the Jets apparently unwilling to offer him a new deal anytime soon, Adams now wants a trade. His camp even floated a list of seven potential suitors, and it wasn't hard to notice that all are possible Super Bowl contenders. The Jets are not Super Bowl contenders.At the same time, the Jets reportedly aren't willing to allow Adams' agent to seek a trade. That sets up the possibility of a protracted standoff with no easy solution. Let's look at some scenarios, and bear with me because it gets a bit unwieldy:

A monument of Washington Redskins founder George Preston Marshall was removed from outside of RFK Stadium on Friday."This symbol of a person who didn't believe all men and women were created equal and who actually worked against integration is counter to all that we as people, a city, and nation represent," Max Brown, the board of directors chairman at Events DC, said in a statement, according to John Keim of ESPN. "We believe that injustice and inequality of all forms is reprehensible and we are firmly committed to confronting unequal treatment and working together toward healing our city and country."Events DC is currently in charge of RFK Stadium, and its monument was spray-painted overnight. The Redskins played at the stadium from 1961 to 1996 before moving to FedEx Field.

Jamal Adams has officially requested a trade from the New York Jets, the All-Pro safety told Kim Jones of the NFL Network.Adams would approve a deal to the Baltimore Ravens, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, or Seattle Seahawks, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.However, the Jets have no intention of trading the 24-year-old, ESPN's Rich Cimini reports.Adams has been the subject of rampant trade rumors. He has also voiced his frustration about not yet landing a lucrative extension as he prepares to enter the fourth year of his rookie contract.Earlier Thursday, Adams took to Instagram to reply to a comment about Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes potentially landing a megadeal.

Get ready for your season with theScore's 2020 Fantasy Football Draft Kit and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.It's become the norm for fantasy managers to wait on quarterbacks to maximize value on draft day, but you still need to hit on the right players for the strategy to be effective.Let's identify this year's crop of late-round or undrafted quarterbacks who will outproduce expectations and emerge as low-end fantasy starters or quality streaming options.Gardner Minshew, JaguarsIf you asked me during the 2019 season which quarterbacks we'd highlight in this column, Minshew would have been well off my radar. He performed well as a sixth-round rookie who was thrust into the lineup when starter Nick Foles went down in Week 1, but his hold on the starting job was shaky with several intriguing options available in free agency and the draft.However, the Jacksonville Jaguars passed on the likes of Jameis Winston and Andy Dalton and elected to trade Foles away. It also appears unlikely the club will sign Cam Newton after it filled out the depth chart with journeyman Mike Glennon. Jacksonville didn't use an early draft pick on a passer, either, so Minshew enters the season unchallenged in the QB room and is poised to build on his promising debut campaign.Minshew finished as the QB20 in fantasy despite seeing the field in only 14 contests. At his June ADP of QB26, you're already getting him at a value, but there could be an even bigger stat line on the horizon when digging a little deeper. If you take the 12 games when Minshew played 100% of the snaps, he would have produced 3,798 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, five interceptions, 85 carries, and 440 rushing yards over an entire season. Julio Aguilar / Getty ImagesThose numbers would have made him the QB13, and that's without scoring a rushing touchdown. New offensive coordinator Jay Gruden has a history of getting the most out of his passers and isn't afraid to call their number on the ground near the goal line. Over the last nine years, quarterbacks playing under Gruden averaged 2.8 rushing touchdowns per season.The front office added a few more pieces to Minshew's arsenal in first-year wideout Laviska Shenault Jr., tight end Tyler Eifert, and pass-catching back Chris Thompson. Eifert and Thompson will provide some experience to a young offense and have played for Gruden before, which helps during an unconventional offseason.Many quarterbacks in recent seasons have taken a step forward in their sophomore year, and with his underappreciated rushing production, Minshew could finish as a low-end QB1.Joe Burrow, BengalsBurrow is the most expensive player on this list, as he's going off the board as the QB19 in drafts. That's actually decent value for a first overall selection who's entering the league after one of the best statistical campaigns we've ever seen from a college passer.The LSU product set the FBS record for passing touchdowns (60) and led the nation in passing yards (5,671), completion percentage (76.3%), adjusted passing yards per attempt (12.5), and passing efficiency rating (202.0).He might not be fast enough to be a game-changing rushing threat in the pros, but Burrow gained an impressive 767 yards with his legs during the last two seasons. Cincinnati Bengals fans who are worried about the team's offensive line should take solace in the fact Burrow excels at sensing pressure and stepping up, rolling out, or running. His ability to extend plays will be fun to watch as the 23-year-old tests himself against the sport's best defenders. Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images Sport / GettyNow he joins a roster with a talented group of skill position players in A.J. Green, Tyler Boyd, Tee Higgins, John Ross, and Joe Mixon, as well as an offensive-minded coach in Zac Taylor. Prior to getting temporarily benched halfway through last season, Dalton was the QB15 over the first eight games. Don't let Cincy's run-heavy play-calling down the stretch fool you; this is a team capable of producing through the air.And though his arm strength isn't elite, Burrow possesses enough power to complete any throw. He's shown good accuracy and touch, often placing the ball where only his receiver can make a play.As a rookie, Burrow will provide sufficient yardage on the ground to boost his fantasy value as a QB2 with upside. It's not out of the question for Burrow to emerge as a fantasy starter in 2020, depending on how fast he can adapt to the pro game.Teddy Bridgewater, PanthersBridgewater might be the least exciting of these three, but at his current ADP of QB25, it won't cost you much to find out whether he can be the Carolina Panthers' new franchise quarterback.As a part-time starter with the New Orleans Saints last year, Bridgewater put up top-12 fantasy production over a five-game span in an offense that helped maximize his skills. That stretch featured three multi-score performances, highlighted by 314 yards and four touchdowns against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 5.Bridgwater showed significant improvement in a variety of key stats as he grew more comfortable in the lead role. Even if he does profile as someone who prefers to target shorter routes, the Panthers have an ideal group of players to use in that area. Jonathan Bachman / Getty Images Sport / GettyIn Carolina, Bridgewater teams up with one of the league's best pass-catching backs in Christian McCaffrey, a breakout star in wideout DJ Moore, a field-stretcher in Robby Anderson, and a pair of promising youngsters in receiver Curtis Samuel and tight end Ian Thomas.New head coach Matt Rhule is an intriguing offensive mind who projects to have a high-volume attack in the pros. The Panthers were already second in the league last year with 633 pass attempts, so expect them to stay in that range.Rhule's choice at coordinator is also positive for Bridgewater's outlook. Prior to guiding the unstoppable LSU attack in 2019, Joe Brady was an offensive assistant for the Saints in 2018, Bridgewater's first year in the Big Easy. The familiarity with Brady's scheme can't be understated during an offseason when on-field time is limited.Bridgewater may not be the most exciting name in fantasy drafts, but his time with the Saints proved he can be a low-end fantasy starter when surrounded by talented skill position players. He's worth a late-round pick to find out if he can continue that type of production over a full season.Deep shotsJarrett Stidham, Patriots - As the favorite to take over for the New England Patriots after Tom Brady's departure, Stidham isn't getting much respect from the fantasy community. Don't sleep on his ability to generate yards on the ground or through the air with reliable options Julian Edelman and James White, as well as a potential future No. 1 wideout in N'Keal Harry. The Pats always found a way to create offense when Brady wasn't in the lineup, so have faith in Bill Belichick and Josh McDaniels to get the most out of their new starter.Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins - Ryan Fitzpatrick is likely to be under center for the Miami Dolphins when the season kicks off, but his time in that role will depend on Tagovailoa's recovery. We should see the torch get passed by midseason at the latest, giving the rookie fantasy appeal for the second half of the year. The Dolphins' offense is quietly loaded at the skill positions and their new QB could be the piece that brings it all together.Cam Newton, Free Agent - Rarely do you see a past MVP sitting on the free-agent market this late in the offseason. With teams unable to bring him into their facilities for a full examination by their medical staff, Newton's health has remained an unknown variable. That could change soon as restrictions begin getting lifted, but his best approach at this point might be to wait until a starter goes down. If he's healthy, Newton could be a fantasy difference-maker in the right situation.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel will be out for 12-16 weeks after suffering a broken foot Tuesday during a throwing session with teammates, reports NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.He'll undergo surgery Thursday to repair the Jones fracture.Samuel emerged from a young 49ers receiving corps last year, becoming a favorite of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and head coach Kyle Shanahan down the stretch. He finished his rookie campaign with 57 receptions for 802 yards and three touchdowns, and his 473 yards after the catch were the most by a first-year receiver since 2006, according to PFF.The 49ers were expecting to feature Samuel more prominently in 2020 after losing Emmanuel Sanders in free agency. A three-to-four month timeline means Samuel could be in danger of missing the start of the regular season.San Francisco doesn't have much veteran depth out wide but did use a first-round pick on Brandon Aiyuk in the NFL draft.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Free-agent wide receiver Josh Gordon submitted his application for reinstatement to the NFL on Wednesday, a source told Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.It was reported in May that Gordon is hoping to be cleared in time for training camp in July.Gordon, who led the NFL in receiving in 2013 before suspensions derailed his career, received his fifth ban in December after violating the league's policies on performance-enhancing drugs and substance abuse.His relapse came shortly after his brother's death last November, his lawyer, Adam Kenner, revealed to Pelissero."Josh had a lapse because of his brother's death," Kenner said. "But since that time, he has realized how important it is for him to take the right steps, do what's proper, and understand how to manage these issues."He's installed the right team around him to make sure he's on the right path. He understands he's been given every chance. He looks forward to making the most of this."While the NFL has implemented new rules on marijuana use, Gordon will reportedly still be subject to the previous standard for reinstatement.The wideout played for the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots last season. He caught 27 passes for 426 yards and one touchdown in 11 appearances (six in New England, five in Seattle).Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

For the first time in the program's history, two NFL teams will be featured on HBO's "Hard Knocks."The documentary series will follow both the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers ahead of their first seasons in the new SoFi Stadium.

While the NFL intends to play out its 2020 campaign as scheduled, albeit likely without full stadiums, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director Dr. Anthony Fauci remains skeptical about the chances of that happening during the COVID-19 pandemic."Unless players are essentially in a bubble - insulated from the community and they are tested nearly every day - it would be very hard to see how football is able to be played this fall," Fauci told CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta."If there is a second wave, which is certainly a possibility and which would be complicated by the predictable flu season, football may not happen this year."Last week, the league notified all teams that the virtual offseason would be extended through June 26 with no in-person minicamps as the NFL continues to plan its return. The NFL and NFLPA are reportedly discussing the possibility of certain players returning to team facilities on a limited basis prior to training camp.The NFL also recently released a number of protocols and testing guidelines for teams to follow, though none involved isolating players for an extended period of time.Commissioner Roger Goodell has yet to confirm when training camps will be held, but all clubs must stay in their facilities and joint practices won't be permitted.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Shaquille O'Neal and Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski are teaming up for a virtual fundraiser that will raise money for NAACP Empowerment Programs and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, according to ESPN's Jenna Laine.The three-hour event, "Shaq's Fun House versus Gronk Beach virtual party," will be livestreamed June 27 and feature performances from Snoop Dogg, Steve Aoki, Diplo, and O'Neal himself as DJ Diesel."We want to be sensitive to people. That's why we wanted (it) to be labeled as 'Party with a Purpose,'" O'Neal told Laine. "We just want to bring a little joy. There's a lot of stuff going on, and we are aware of that, and we hope to do our part. We're gonna continue to do our part."The two athletes will square off in a series of competitions, including a game of HORSE and a chicken wing-eating contest, with the winner earning donations to their respective charity.O'Neal will represent the Boys & Girls Clubs of America while Gronk is playing for the NAACP, a civil rights organization that works toward eliminating race-based discrimination."We wanted to do it now with a purpose, and this is a purpose to raise money for great causes, and to raise money for everything that's going on out there," said Gronkowski. "So, music, sports, competitions - we just knew that it was a win-win."And on top of it, whenever Shaq and I have the chance to come together and bring other people together - 'cause that's what we love to do, is bring everyone together, unite everyone together - we just knew it was a no-brainer to do."Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The coronavirus pandemic forced the NFL to cancel organized team activities (OTAs) and minicamps this offseason, and it remains unknown when players will be allowed to take the field alongside teammates and coaches again.Though some around the league will suffer without OTAs and minicamps, others could actually benefit from not having early activities this offseason. These are the eight NFLers who stand to gain the most:Kansas City Chiefs Maddie Meyer / Getty Images Sport / GettyWho benefits most from an abbreviated NFL offseason? The team that entered it with the least work to do. Ahead of the 2020 campaign, that team is the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.The league's other 31 teams will have to attempt to dethrone the Chiefs without the benefit of OTAs and minicamps. That means less time getting rookies and free-agent signees adjusted to systems, and less time for new coaches and general managers to make their marks on their respective rosters.The cancellation of OTAs and minicamps puts every team at a disadvantage, but less so the squad that last hoisted the Lombardi Trophy. After all, the reigning champs are the ones every other franchise is chasing.Mitch Trubisky, QB, BearsTrubisky enters 2020 fighting for his job, fighting to change the narrative around his career, and quite possibly fighting for his future as a starting quarterback in the NFL. The Chicago Bears will field an open competition between Trubisky and Nick Foles for the right to open the year under center, and Trubisky is under contract only for the 2020 season after the Bears declined his fifth-year option.Trubisky has the benefit of familiarity after playing in Matt Nagy's system for the past two seasons, but his recent play has disappointed. Fortunately for him, Foles won't be able to get acquainted with his new teammates until training camp opens in late July.The short turnaround between a condensed and heavily regulated training camp and the start of the regular season means less time for Foles to adjust to the Bears' offense. It could tip the scales of what was supposed to be a must-watch quarterback competition in favor of the incumbent.Rob Gronkowski, TE, BuccaneersAfter a season away from football, Gronkowski should enter the 2020 season as fresh as he's been in years. The oft-injured tight end said he stepped away from the game in part to recover from various physical ailments. The 31-year-old hasn't played in an NFL game since Super Bowl LIII, and now his body will be spared the additional reps that accompany OTAs and minicamp.A reduced offseason workload may translate to more regular-season targets for Gronk, who has established chemistry with quarterback Tom Brady after nine years together with the New England Patriots. Brady is just getting acquainted with his new Tampa Bay Buccaneers teammates; with limited time to learn the Buccaneers' offense and the intricacies of his playmakers, the 42-year-old may start the season relying heavily upon the target with whom he's most comfortable.Mark Ingram, RB, Ravens Michael Reaves / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe absence of OTAs and minicamps could help Ingram retain his role as the Baltimore Ravens' starting running back.Baltimore has one of the deepest backfields in football, and Ingram was slated to face competition from Gus Edwards, 2019 draft pick Justice Hill, and 2020 second-round selection J.K. Dobbins ahead of the upcoming campaign. With Hill and Dobbins facing fewer opportunities to challenge him, Ingram has a far better chance to maintain his spot atop the depth chart.The Ravens owned the league's top running game in 2019, with league MVP Lamar Jackson leading the team in rushing with 1,206 yards. Ingram, meanwhile, amassed 1,018 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground. In an offseason of uncertainty, Baltimore can feel comfortable relying on Jackson and Ingram.Philadelphia EaglesThe NFC East underwent an unprecedented amount of change this offseason. In a year of upheaval, the teams that stand to benefit most are those with continuity.While the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, and Washington Redskins are introducing new head coaches, Philadelphia Eagles coach Doug Pederson is entering his fifth season in the City of Brotherly Love. He's also bringing back the same top three coordinators - assistant head coach Duce Staley, defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, and special teams coordinator Dave Fipp - he's had by his side since 2018.While Mike McCarthy, Joe Judge, and Ron Rivera work to implement new systems without being able to see their players in person, the Eagles at least have the stability of a proven coaching staff and a scheme and roster that won the NFC East last season. Those factors should give the Eagles a distinct advantage over their division rivals entering the 2020 campaign.Tyrod Taylor, QB, ChargersAfter the Los Angeles Chargers missed out on Brady and failed to add another veteran quarterback in free agency, Taylor was primed to be the team's Week 1 starter. Until Los Angeles drafted Justin Herbert with the sixth overall pick in April's draft.A prospect selected with such a high pick would typically be expected to start right away, but the Chargers may now be best served opening the year with a veteran under center. With the coronavirus pandemic throwing the offseason off course, Herbert won't have the luxury of rookie minicamps and OTAs to get his bearings in the pros. Away from the team facility until July, Herbert can only improve by burying his nose in the playbook.It's yet another quarterback competition that could be sapped of its drama. If the Chargers have little more than a month to determine their starting signal-caller for 2020, it makes sense for them to choose Taylor, who spent 2019 in Los Angeles' system as Philip Rivers' backup.Myles Garrett, DE, Browns Diamond Images / Diamond Images / GettyThe Cleveland Browns defensive end tainted his reputation when he hit Mason Rudolph in the head with a helmet in November. That nationally televised incident was the last we saw of Garrett, as the league handed him an indefinite suspension that ended his 2019 season.Garrett has since been reinstated and is reportedly working toward an extension with the Browns. With team activities shelved until at least July, Garrett can continue working in silence, as he did in the weight room Tuesday. Fewer prying eyes may not be such a bad thing.Garrett was a favorite to win Defensive Player of the Year before his suspension. With much of this offseason canceled, the stud pass-rusher should benefit from a near-direct transition from that ban to his next game action.K.J. Wright, LB, SeahawksThe Seattle Seahawks used their 2020 first-round pick to select middle linebacker Jordyn Brooks, but that role is currently occupied by five-time All-Pro Bobby Wagner.Seahawks general manager John Schneider previously floated the idea that Brooks could immediately challenge Wright for the starting job at weak-side linebacker. Wright has spent the majority of his nine-year career lining up on the weak side, but Brooks' arrival could force the veteran to move across the formation.Though Wright underwent offseason shoulder surgery, he's expected to be healthy for training camp. With Brooks' time on the practice field limited to said camp, Wright might get to remain at his familiar position during his contract year.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.Welcome to theScore Fantasy Football Podcast, hosted by Justin Boone.Find the show on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, and Anchor.In this episode, Boone discusses the most notable position battles that need to be monitored over the summer and breaks down the latest news around the league.

Denver Broncos defensive back Kareem Jackson has tested positive for COVID-19, he confirmed to Mike Klis of 9News.Jackson was tested Wednesday morning and will now quarantine for two weeks, Kliss adds.The 32-year-old safety has cold-like symptoms and is expected to make a full recovery, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.Jackson led a protest march in Denver 11 days ago, but his doctor told him he contracted the virus after the event."The doctor said (that) with the congestion starting two days ago that I picked it up this weekend," Jackson said, according to Klis. "It definitely wasn't from the march."He's the second known Broncos player to test positive for COVID-19 along with linebacker Von Miller.Jackson played his first nine NFL seasons for the Houston Texans. The 2010 first-round pick out of Alabama signed a three-year, $33-million free-agent contract with the Broncos in 2019 and is currently one of the 10 highest-paid safeties in the league.He racked up 71 tackles, two interceptions, and one forced fumble in 13 games last season.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Warning: Story contains coarse languageU.S. President Donald Trump was asked directly Wednesday whether he believes Colin Kaepernick should get another chance to play in the NFL, and his response was something of a surprise.

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray is ready to protest once the NFL 2020 season arrives."I'll be kneeling. I stand for what's right," Murray told reporters Wednesday, according to Kevin Zimmerman of 98.7 Arizona Sports. "That's the bottom line. I call it like I see it. I'll definitely be taking a knee."Murray also highlighted the importance of peaceful protests and proactive approaches to combating racism."I don't condone the rioting," he said, according to ESPN's Josh Weinfuss. "But the peaceful protests, they're amazing. That's the start of it … It's not enough to just not be racist. You have to be anti-racist and hold everyone accountable."He added: "If you have any racist friends, it's on you to stop that immediately."Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury said earlier in June that the team's coaching staff has yet to discuss the possibility of pregame protests with players but will support the athletes in whatever actions they take.Other NFL players have recently defended protests during the U.S. national anthem, including Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt, Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield, and Washington Redskins running back Adrian Peterson. Texans head coach Bill O'Brien plans to join his players in pre-game protests."I feel like now more than ever people can just say whatever they want to say," Murray said. "Before (George Floyd's) death we had to beat around the bush and straddle the line and be politically correct."Colin Kaepernick was the first NFL player to protest by kneeling during the national anthem during the 2016 season, but the quarterback hasn't played in the league since the conclusion of that campaign. The killing of Floyd in the custody of Minneapolis police has sparked worldwide protests against racial injustice.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott commended Jake Fromm for his communication with the team regarding racist texts the quarterback sent in 2019, but McDermott insisted the rookie quarterback needs to continue to prove himself, especially to his teammates."Jake's situation is certainly one that we've taken very seriously," the coach said Wednesday, according to ESPN's Marcel Louis-Jacques. "Jake did a very good job of communicating to the team on more than one occasion ... and that has to continue."Right now it's, where do we go from here? Jake has to continue to earn it. ... There's going to be players who are going to be wanting to see how Jake acts and reacts in certain situations. Not just on the field but off the field."They're going to have a chance to evaluate Jake not only on the field but off the field, and that will be an important piece."In the texts that surfaced on social media June 4, Fromm wrote that "guns are good." After discussing suppressors, he added, "Just make them very expensive so only elite white people can get them."The former Georgia standout quickly apologized for the comment and said he was "against racism 100 percent."The Bills selected Fromm in the fifth round of this year's draft. Despite the recent investment, it was speculated that Buffalo could move on from its No. 3 quarterback due to the controversy.But Fromm's place appears secure for now ahead of a battle with Matt Barkley for the backup job in training camp.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn told reporters that he's open to adding Colin Kaepernick to his team's quarterback depth chart."It would be crazy to not have him on your workout list," Lynn said Wednesday, according to ESPN's Lindsey Thiry."I haven't spoken with Colin - not sure where he's at as far in his career, what he wants to do - but Colin definitely fits the style of quarterback for the system that we're going to be running," Lynn added.The head coach also said he's "very confident and happy" with the three quarterbacks currently on the Chargers' depth chart. Los Angeles used a first-round pick on quarterback Justin Herbert this offseason, adding the Oregon product to a room featuring veteran Tyrod Taylor and second-year signal-caller Easton Stick.After protests for racial justice began in the United States in May, Kaepernick attracted renewed attention in the NFL. Commissioner Roger Goodell recently encouraged teams to sign him.Last week, Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said that an unnamed team called him about Kaepernick. The Seahawks were the last NFL team to bring the quarterback in for a visit in 2017.Kaepernick hasn't played in the NFL since the 2016 season when he began kneeling during the national anthem to protest racial injustice and police brutality.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 the Denver Broncos are going to dethrone the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West, their offense will need to be firing on all cylinders in 2020.The Broncos made a number of additions this offseason to that side of the ball, signing running back Melvin Gordon and adding four pass-catchers and two linemen during the draft.After finishing last season No. 28 in scoring offense, how will the new-look unit gel in Year 1? Let's dissect Denver's player props for the 2020 campaign.Drew Lock - O/U 21.5 touchdownsOver: -110

Every draft produces selections and storylines that, given time, become generational talking points or fade from view. Our writers are throwing it back a decade to tell some tales about the classes of 2010. The series, which will run throughout June, began with the NHL, MLB, and NBA.The 2010 NFL draft class turned out to be one of the deepest and most talent-rich of this century. Players selected that year include defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, safety Earl Thomas, tight end Rob Gronkowski, and wideout Antonio Brown - all considered among the best of the last decade at their respective positions.The St. Louis Rams possessed the No. 1 overall pick that year. They chose a quarterback out of the University of Oklahoma who had won the 2008 Heisman Trophy before missing nearly all of the 2009 season with a shoulder injury. But Billy Devaney, then the Rams' general manager, never wavered on his decision to pick Sam Bradford first."He had everything," Devaney told me. "He checked all the boxes. There was no doubt in my mind that was who we were going to take."Bradford's career never came close to fulfilling that promise. He spent nine seasons in the NFL with four teams, and he always seemed to be on the brink of becoming that guy, only to slink back into mediocrity again and again.Bradford battled numerous injuries, but he was also somewhat miscast - particularly early in his career when he caromed through three offensive systems in as many years. He was a casualty of NFL coaches' longstanding reluctance to embrace the spread concepts that had begun proliferating at the college level. He was also the last No. 1 pick to command top dollar, if only because he was the last for whom the rules still allowed it. Sam Bradford will go down as the can't-miss prospect who always somehow missed.––––––––––During Bradford's redshirt freshman season at Oklahoma in 2007, the Sooners ran a traditional offense that was run-heavy, huddled often, and used a lot of basic personnel. The following year, they switched things up."Our offense changed dramatically," Bradford once told ESPN's Nick Wagoner. "We went no-huddle, fast break. We had 11 personnel (one running back, one tight end, three receivers), 10 personnel (one running back, zero tight ends, four receivers), smaller, faster, and spread it out to start throwing the ball a lot more."I remember that first spring, I really wasn't sure I was going to like it because I had never run the no-huddle before. It seemed like everything happened too fast but the more we did it, the more comfortable I got with it. It turned out; it was probably the best move we made because we were really good at it."The idea was for Bradford to work out of the shotgun, make quick reads, and let his assortment of playmakers do the rest. It was football predicated on speed and on using the entire field. Bradford wound up throwing for 4,720 yards, 50 touchdowns, and just eight interceptions. He won the Heisman. Icon Sportswire / Getty ImagesAs a junior in 2009, Bradford sprained his shoulder in the opener and played in just three games before being shut down midway through the season. He decided to declare for the draft anyway. Durability was maybe the only question about him, but Bradford passed all his physicals and left little doubt after a dazzling pro day that rendered scouts and other observers "speechless."Leading up to the draft, Devaney was bombarded with offers to trade out of the No. 1 spot. He said one team executive even told him he'd "give you my whole draft right now" in exchange for the pick. That same exec called again a few hours before the draft to ask what it would take. Devaney wouldn't entertain the thought."He was one of the best, best pure passers I've ever seen," Devaney told me. "Just an unbelievable, beautiful thrower of the football. And he was big (6-foot-4, 224 pounds), great teammate, he had that 'it' factor to play quarterback. He had everything."When it came time to sign a contract, Bradford cashed in. On the eve of training camp, he agreed to a deal with a max length of six years and a max value of $78 million, including $50 million in guarantees. Though it was no fault of Bradford's, the contract served as a kind of shorthand for the lucrative deals that led to the enactment of the rookie scale in the following year's collective bargaining agreement. That CBA locked in four years of cost control for drafted rookies. Cam Newton was the top pick in the 2011 draft. With no chance to negotiate, his first contract was set at four years and just $22 million.Devaney told me the talks with Bradford's camp weren't difficult or complicated; he knew drafting a QB first overall was going to be costly. The year before, the Detroit Lions had taken Matt Stafford No. 1 and given him a max of six years and $72 million, including $41.7 million in guarantees. Tom Condon was the agent for both players. Elsa / Getty ImagesBradford started all 16 games as a rookie, and the Rams improved from 1-15 to 7-9. But instead of leaning into the tempo-driven, fast-break style that helped Bradford win the Heisman, offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur concocted a scaled-down version of the West Coast offense that minimized the potential for mistakes. It also proved to be awfully conservative: The same Sam Bradford who had attracted comparisons to Tom Brady because of his ability to throw an accurate deep ball in college was often reduced to checking down when he got to the NFL. Bradford was the league's Offensive Rookie of the Year, but something seemed off.As a rookie, Bradford's average depth of target (aDOT) was just 6.6 yards, and he averaged just 6.0 yards per attempt, among the lowest in the league. Per PFF, Bradford attempted a throw that season of 20 or more yards just 6.8% of the time. He took the majority of his snaps from under center. The Rams' offense finished 30th in DVOA and 27th in passing DVOA, according to Football Outsiders. Bradford's DYAR was below replacement level.Shurmur left to become the head coach of the Cleveland Browns, and he was replaced by Josh McDaniels, the previous and future New England Patriots offensive coordinator. McDaniels tried to get Bradford to throw downfield more, but there were other problems to contend with.The 2011 Rams were wracked with injuries, with Football Outsiders calculating that they compiled 110.0 adjusted games lost (AGL), or the equivalent of seven key players lost for the entire season. The offense accounted for 66.6 of that AGL total. Bradford worked out of the shotgun on 72% of his snaps and threw deep 11.5% of the time, but with Brandon Lloyd and Danario Alexander as two of his top targets, this proved to be a tall order.It didn't help that a lockout that lasted the entire offseason prevented Bradford and his pass-catchers from getting any kind of feel for the new system. Bradford endured an adjusted sack rate of 9.1%, and he missed six games with a high ankle sprain. He again posted a negative DYAR, and the Rams finished last in offensive DVOA en route to a 2-14 finish. Devaney and head coach Steve Spagnuolo were fired. Joe Robbins / Getty ImagesJeff Fisher came on as head coach in 2012, and he brought Brian Schottenheimer in as his OC. Rather than draft Robert Griffin III with the No. 2 pick, the Rams traded down. The Rams improved to 7-8-1 with Bradford showing noticeable improvement, even if he still hadn't reached anything close to stardom. He finished 16th in DYAR, and the Rams' offense likewise was 16th in DVOA, but the limitations weren't all Bradford's fault: From 2008 through 2012, per Football Outsiders, the Rams drafted 21 offensive players. Just four were regular starters in 2012.In 2013, Schottenheimer committed the Rams to playing faster. Running back Steven Jackson, the fulcrum of the offense for nearly 10 years, had left via free agency. The Rams surrounded Bradford with playmakers such as first-round pick Tavon Austin and free-agent tight end Jared Cook. They were 3-3 when Bradford tore his left ACL in Week 7. His attempt at a comeback was thwarted during the 2014 preseason when he tore the same ACL again.In March 2015, the Rams moved on, trading Bradford to the Philadelphia Eagles for Nick Foles in a package that also included a swap of late-round picks. Bradford's comfort in the spread seemed to be a perfect fit for head coach Chip Kelly's wide-open style, and the Eagles were even a sneaky pick to reach the Super Bowl. Bradford was fine, but one week after a big performance in an overtime win at the hated Dallas Cowboys improved the Eagles to 4-4, he injured his left shoulder and suffered a concussion, which caused him to miss the next two games. The Eagles were blown out in both. Bradford returned in Week 13 to beat the Patriots, but Kelly was fired before the season was over. Philly finished 7-9. Bradford was 24th in DYAR, and his contract was up.The following March, Bradford signed a two-year deal to remain with the Eagles. But Philadelphia had other plans and aggressively traded up twice in the weeks ahead to land the No. 2 overall pick, which they used to select Carson Wentz. At the end of the preseason, after Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater blew out his knee, the Eagles shipped Bradford to Minnesota, where he'd be the starter. With the Vikings, Bradford returned to his role as a checkdown specialist, completing a then-league record 71.6% of his passes. Again, though, he was 16th in DYAR for an offense that was 26th in DVOA. That seemed to be his ceiling. Joe Robbins / Getty ImagesBy Week 2 in 2017, soreness in his twice-repaired left knee ended his season. The Vikings signed Kirk Cousins the following spring and let Bradford walk. The Arizona Cardinals gave him nearly $16 million guaranteed to be the veteran placeholder for rookie Josh Rosen. Bradford lasted three disastrous starts before being benched. He was released in early November. His career was over.––––––––––A quarterback is the most important player on any football team, but a quarterback's performance doesn't happen in a vacuum. Coaching and infrastructure matter greatly, as the NFL discovered over the course of the last decade. Rule changes designed to protect both the quarterback and receivers opened up the passing game and placed an emphasis on speed. Scoring and passing volume went way up. But it was more than that.Drafting a franchise-caliber QB has always been a difficult proposition for NFL teams. But for too long, many of the league's coaches chafed at having to adapt what they do to build around the skill sets of the spread QBs the game's lower levels began producing in the mid-2000s. It wasn't until the last half of the 2010s that most teams began to figure this out. There's a reason Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson are the last two league MVPs."The college game gave the NFL a blueprint on how to maximize its quarterbacks, and the NFL spent half the decade complaining about it," The Ringer's Kevin Clark wrote last fall. "The pro game was eating itself. This bit of conventional wisdom was eventually toppled in the biggest way possible, but it is instructive how resistant most of the league was before these offenses were adopted en masse."Sam Bradford was one of those square pegs for a round hole. Devaney remains convinced that injuries did him in, but it's fair to wonder whether Bradford maybe came along too soon. There's no way to know whether he would have lived up to the hype, just the certainty that there are lots of reasons why he didn't.Dom Cosentino is a senior features writer at theScore.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The coronavirus pandemic forced the NFL to cancel organized team activities (OTAs) and minicamps this offseason, and it remains unknown when players will be allowed to take the field alongside teammates and coaches again.While some players actually benefit without early activities this offseason, other names around the league will suffer from not having OTAs and minicamp. These are the eight NFLers that these cancellations hurt the most.Joe Burrow, QB, Bengals Chris Graythen / Getty Images Sport / GettyRookies will be more negatively affected by the lack of OTAs and minicamps; after all, it's their first official opportunity to work out as pros. Burrow, who's likely the only first-year quarterback who'll start in Week 1 this season, could face even bigger challenges with the Cincinnati Bengals.The LSU standout hasn't practiced in front of his new coaches, and not only does he need to learn a new NFL game plan, he's not exactly stepping into a thriving offense. Granted, Burrow will have access to the plays from home, but making sure he's on the same page as his teammates and Zac Taylor, who struggled in his first year as head coach, requires repetition."You have to find a way to get in your backyard and get reps in," Taylor advised Burrow, according to FiveThirtyEight's Michael Salfino. "Whether it's telling your girlfriend or mom where to line up, or how many steps to take on each route - just make sure you know it inside and outside. We're going to challenge our guys to get creative."Without OTAs and minicamp, Burrow has fewer opportunities to develop chemistry with two of his top wide receivers - and they could probably both use the practice. Veteran A.J. Green likely needs time to shake the rust off after missing last season with an injury, while Tee Higgins is another rookie making the transition to the pros.Ben Roethlisberger, QB, SteelersAfter undergoing season-ending elbow surgery last September, every workout with the Pittsburgh Steelers is precious for Roethlisberger ahead of his age-38 campaign. In April, the veteran signal-caller said he was planning to participate in minicamp and OTAs as he attempts to return to top form, but he'll have to wait to line up with his teammates again.Roethlisberger appeared in just two games last season and watched Pittsburgh's offensive struggles mostly from the sidelines. Playing with backup quarterbacks, the Steelers' receiving corps also disappointed in its first year without Antonio Brown. For instance, JuJu Smith-Schuster recorded just 42 receptions in 12 games one year after leading the club with 111 catches.Taking the field in May and June before training camp would have been tremendously helpful to both Roethlisberger's rehab and his ability to make adjustments with his receivers. The Steelers added second-round rookie wideout Chase Claypool and free-agent tight end Eric Ebron this offseason.Matt Rhule, head coach, PanthersNo team needs practices, drills, and interaction between players and coaches more than the Carolina Panthers. It's Rhule's first head coaching job in the NFL, and he's joined by offensive coordinator Joe Brady and defensive coordinator Phil Snow, who don't have pro experience in those capacities either.Rhule and his coaching staff need to introduce their system to a new quarterback in Teddy Bridgewater, other offseason acquisitions, and a bunch of rookies - Carolina drafted seven defenders this year and signed 17 undrafted free agents.Several spots on the Panthers' roster are up for grabs, especially on defense. Rhule will need to evaluate dozens of players, adjust a rebuilding team, and implement a new scheme in his first NFL campaign without the luxury of workouts during spring and early summer.Aldon Smith, DE, Cowboys Ezra Shaw / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe Dallas Cowboys gave Smith another NFL chance after his promising career was derailed by off-field issues. He hasn't played a game since 2015, and his return to pro football naturally comes with question marks and uncertainties.OTAs and minicamp would be ideal for a player like Smith, who needs to go through every step of getting back into football shape before confirming his return. Being able to meet with his new coaches and teammates and execute drills in a unit that needs pass-rushing help would definitely work in his favor.Dallas' defensive line could also benefit from using pre-training-camp activities to set up its new interior formation after the arrivals of Gerald McCoy and Dontari Poe. Though McCoy and Poe played together in 2019, the Cowboys might need extra time to figure out the best way to use their new veteran duo on the heels of a subpar season from the D-line.Tom Brady, QB, BuccaneersBrady will turn 43 in August, and after two decades with the Patriots, he'll try to bounce back from an unimpressive 2019 campaign with the new-look Tampa Bay Buccaneers.Yes, the legendary quarterback has an undisputed work ethic, which he displayed when he picked up materials from his new offensive coordinator and conducted a throwing session with some of his new teammates earlier in May.However, that's barely a taste of the complete experience of hearing head coach Bruce Arians during drills while working with a full receiving corps featuring Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Rob Gronkowski, and Co. Getting up to speed with his receivers and coaches as early as possible would catalyze Brady's adaptation to Tampa Bay.Alexander Mattison, RB, VikingsThe prospects of non-starters aiming to impress are dimmer without OTAs and minicamp. With Dalvin Cook reportedly prepared for a potentially long holdout, Mattison would have had a chance to practice with the Minnesota Vikings' first team, at least for a few weeks.The Vikings drafted Mattison in the third round last year and the Boise State product made a positive impact through his first 13 games. He averaged 4.6 yards per carry as a rookie, which ranked 16th among all running backs with at least 100 rushing attempts. Those numbers, combined with a breakout year in the near future, could eventually earn Mattison a chance to start.Cook may be out throughout training camp, which would still offer Mattison a good chance to step up. If the Vikings are reluctant to give Cook a lot of money, they might look at Mattison differently this offseason, and every opportunity he gets as the main back could help improve his stock.Jarrett Stidham, QB, Patriots Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyThough it's not a lock that he'll start for New England, Stidham appears to be the chosen one to replace Brady at the beginning of the 2020 season. While replacing a six-time Super Bowl champion would seem to require extra workouts under any circumstances, Stidham is also a second-year signal-caller who attempted just four passes as a rookie - with one interception.The canceled activities are missed opportunities for the 2019 fourth-rounder to repeat Josh McDaniels' game plan on the practice field and continue developing chemistry with his receiving corps, which includes two rookie tight ends (Devin Asiasi, Dalton Keene) and a 2019 first-round wideout who didn't play much (N'Keal Harry). They'll have to figure things out in a likely shortened training camp and preseason.From the Patriots' perspective, they get a reduced sample size to evaluate a young player who's stepping into a larger role and needs first-team reps. New England still isn't sure about its future under center and Stidham needs to prove himself on the field.Thaddeus Moss, TE, RedskinsOTAs and minicamps are crucial for players trying to make a regular-season roster and draftees who just arrived in the NFL and need to prove they can lock down their roster spot. Undrafted rookies are in an especially tough spot without those activities.Moss' name wasn't called in April's draft and he signed with the Washington Redskins shortly afterward. The son of Hall of Fame wide receiver Randy Moss is the most notable undrafted player this offseason. He amassed 47 catches for 570 yards and four touchdowns in LSU's dominant 2019 campaign and his draft stock got a bump from some solid performances late in the season, including two scores in the national championship game.However, with no minicamp or OTAs, Moss won't have as much time to prove his durability or show why teams were wrong to pass on him. The Redskins didn't acquire any high-profile tight ends this offseason after Jeremy Sprinkle led the team at the position with just 26 receptions, 241 yards, and one touchdown.Other notable undrafted free agents seeking roster spots include Chicago Bears linebacker Ledarius Mack, Detroit Lions tight end Hunter Bryant, and Seattle Seahawks quarterback Anthony Gordon.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Baltimore Ravens were heavy favorites entering their divisional-round matchup against the Tennessee Titans last season, but the Lamar Jackson-led squad suffered a stunning loss to the AFC's sixth seed.Because of that upset defeat, Jackson says Baltimore won't be "peeking ahead" this season in order to avoid the same mistake the team made against Tennessee."That's what happened in the playoffs, and we end up losing to the team people had us favored over," Jackson said on Complex's "Load Management" podcast, according to Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk."It's any given Sunday. You can't underestimate no team, no opponent, and that's what we did. So, I'm looking forward to this 2020 season, playing the (Cleveland) Browns first ... Don't underestimate your opponents. (The Titans) caught us by surprise. That's all it was."Jackson, the 2019 MVP, struggled in the Ravens' 28-12 loss against Tennessee. He completed just 52% of his pass attempts while throwing one touchdown and two interceptions. Baltimore entered that contest with a 14-2 record and the NFL's highest-scoring offense.After defeating the top-seeded Ravens, the Titans fell 35-24 to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Las Vegas Raiders' new home, Allegiant Stadium, will host the 2021 Pro Bowl on Jan. 31, the NFL announced Tuesday.

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.Not many NFL teams have a bigger range of possible outcomes in 2020 than the Los Angeles Chargers do.The Chargers are always tough to trust. You pencil Los Angeles in whenever you need a sleeper in the AFC, only to watch the team stumble to a 9-7 record thanks to an underachieving offense and injury-riddled defense.Perhaps a change under center is what this team needs.Quarterback Philip Rivers moved on in free agency following 16 seasons with the franchise, opening the door for either veteran Tyrod Taylor or rookie Justin Herbert to lead the way. It makes for an intriguing handicap on 2020 player props, which we'll dive into today.Here's the one prop that sticks out:Hunter Henry - O/U 630.5 receiving yardsOver: -115

New York Giants kicker Aldrick Rosas was arrested Monday after allegedly fleeing the scene of a car crash in Chico, California, according to TMZ Sports.Witnesses told police that Rosas was going around 100 miles per hour and driving erratically when he failed to stop at a red light and hit the side of a pickup at the intersection. The accident occurred around 8:25 a.m.Authorities told TMZ that Rosas kept driving, but his SUV broke down shortly after the crash, and the kicker was found walking near the site of the accident.Rosas' hands, legs, and bare feet were apparently covered in blood when he was stopped. The police said they believed Rosas was impaired by alcohol at the time of the crash.The 25-year-old was reportedly booked into Butte County Jail after receiving a medical evaluation and charged with a hit-and-run and driving on a suspended license.Rosas has spent the last three seasons with the Giants. He made the Pro Bowl in 2018.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.theScore's Justin Boone was the winner of FantasyPros' Most Accurate Expert Competition in 2019, marking the seventh time he's placed in the top 10.Follow the links below to see his updated 2020 rankings.Half PPR

The Philadelphia Eagles' virtual offseason ended Monday, and rookie quarterback Jalen Hurts' performance stood out to head coach Doug Pederson.Pederson praised Hurts' ability to figure out a new playbook despite not being able to take the practice field."With Jalen, with young quarterbacks, you always have an idea or an understanding of where they are not only at the beginning of the offseason but at the end," Pederson told reporters Tuesday, including Eliot Shorr-Parks of 94WIP.com.Pederson added, "(Hurts') growth from a mental standpoint from the beginning of the offseason to now has been very good. His ability to recall plays and recite plays … One thing (quarterbacks coach) Press Taylor has done is put him into a huddle situation where he is calling plays and being able to spit that back at him. He has done that at a really good, high level. Now it is just a matter of once we get him on the grass, he has to do it for real and go from there. But I have been really impressed with his progress this spring."Despite signing Carson Wentz to a four-year, $128-million contract extension last June, the Eagles used their 2020 second-round pick to draft Hurts.General manager Howie Roseman defended the selection, saying the Eagles "want to be a quarterback factory." Roseman also said that Hurts' "unique skill set" would give Philadelphia a chance to use him in a gadget role as a rookie.The NFL extended the virtual offseason through June 26 with OTAs and minicamp canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Though most teams recently reopened facilities for coaches and a limited amount of personnel, it remains to be seen when players will be allowed to return.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Matthew Judon believes NFL commissioner Roger Goodell's public support for the Black Lives Matter cause came far too late."It's not when Roger Goodell said 'black lives matter' that now everybody can say it," Judon said, according to ESPN's Jamison Hensley. "I think we should have been questioning why Roger Goodell didn't say 'black lives matter' when he was born, or when he became commissioner, or when he was reelected commissioner. ... It's not cool that Roger Goodell said it. He should've been saying it."Goodell apologized June 5 on behalf of the league for not openly discussing racial injustice sooner after players such as Patrick Mahomes and Michael Thomas called on the NFL to acknowledge its failures."We, the National Football League, condemn racism and the systematic oppression of black people," Goodell said. "We, the National Football League, admit we were wrong for not listening to NFL players earlier and encourage all to speak out and peacefully protest. We, the National Football League, believe black lives matter."Though Judon is happy to see progress, he doesn't believe Goodell deserves credit for deciding only now to support the movement."I'm with all the protests that we have to do and all the progress that we have to make," Judon said. "I'm with (all) of that, but it's not because Roger Goodell said, 'black lives matter.'"Goodell has been widely criticized for his handling of protests during the national anthem, which were started by Colin Kaepernick in 2016.The league even attempted to create a rule that would compel players to stay in the locker room during the anthem if they wanted to demonstrate, only to backtrack from the proposal following widespread backlash.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A majority of Americans believe Roger Goodell should issue an apology to Colin Kaepernick, a new survey by the Harris Poll suggests.In a survey of more than 1,000 people, 61% agreed that Kaepernick deserves an apology from the NFL commissioner, according to Forbes' Kurt Badenhausen. The survey was conducted last week after a group of NFL players released a video calling on the league to condemn racism and the systematic oppression of black people.Goodell responded to the video by acknowledging the NFL was "wrong for not listening" to players who began protesting in 2016, though he didn't mention Kaepernick by name.Two-thirds of survey respondents felt that Goodell's statement came across as insincere, while 53% said it was "too little, too late."Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Commissioner Roger Goodell would like to see Colin Kaepernick back in the league."If he wants to resume his career in the NFL, then obviously it's gonna take a team to make that decision," Goodell said on ESPN's "The Return of Sports" broadcast Monday. "But I welcome that, support a club making that decision, and encourage them to do that."Kaepernick hasn't played in the NFL since the 2016 season when he began kneeling during the national anthem to protest racial injustice and police brutality.Speculation of a potential return for the free-agent quarterback has gained some steam since Goodell declared the league was "wrong for not listening to NFL players" when they sought to peacefully protest. The Seattle Seahawks were the last team to bring in Kaepernick for a visit, and head coach Pete Carroll said last week that a club called to gather information.Goodell insisted Kaepernick is welcome to help guide the league on social issues if he's not interested in returning to the field."We want to make sure that everybody's welcome at that table and trying to help us deal with some very complex, difficult issues that have been around for a long time," he said. "But I hope we're at a point now where everybody's committed to making long-term, sustainable change."Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Philadelphia Eagles right guard Brandon Brooks will miss the entire 2020 season after suffering a torn Achilles tendon, NBC's Derrick Gunn reports.The three-time Pro Bowler confirmed the injury Monday on Twitter.Brooks was PFF's highest-graded NFL guard in 2019, and the site's fifth-ranked player overall.The 30-year-old signed a four-year, $54.2-million extension in November.Philadelphia had arguably the league's best offensive line last season, but the unit is now expected to be without two familiar faces in 2020. Veteran left tackle Jason Peters is currently a free agent, with 2019 first-round pick Andre Dillard projected to take his place after starting four games as a rookie. Jack Driscoll, a fourth-round rookie out of Auburn, is expected to compete for the starting job at right guard in Brooks' absence.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The San Francisco 49ers signed head coach Kyle Shanahan to a new multi-year contract Monday.Shanahan's deal is a new six-year pact that will replace the three years left on his current contract, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Shanahan signed a six-year deal with the 49ers in February 2017 and, in his third season, led the team to a Super Bowl appearance. He'll now remain under contract through the 2025 campaign and will be among the five highest-paid coaches in the league, Schefter reports.The 40-year-old has helped turn around a franchise that was coming off a 2-14 season upon his hiring. Shanahan led the Niners to a 6-10 record his first season and 4-12 the next year when starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo went down with a season-ending injury in Week 3.San Francisco went 13-3 in 2019, the top record in the NFC, and came within a quarter of defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The National Football League Players Association told player agents Monday that the NFL could lose roughly $3 billion in revenue if the league's teams are forced to play games in empty stadiums in 2020, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports.The union also said players could be tested for COVID-19 around every three days as part of the NFL's safety protocols, a source told Fowler.The league and NFLPA agreed in March to a new collective bargaining agreement that includes a force majeure clause, which shields both sides from liability in the case of an extraordinary event like the coronavirus pandemic. Fowler notes the clause would allow the two sides to negotiate a plan for dealing with salary-cap losses in 2021.The league is still operating on the assumption that training camp will proceed in late July, with some semblance of a preseason to follow before the regular season begins in the fall.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The most recent coronavirus outbreak in the NFL has left multiple head coaches fearful of the situation.One unnamed head coach described the situation as "scary," according to ESPN's Ed Werder.Another coach thinks the league should delay the start of the season, while a third questioned the wisdom of playing during a pandemic, Werder adds.Players from the Houston Texans and Dallas Cowboys reportedly tested positive for COVID-19, including star running back Ezekiel Elliott. None of them are reportedly believed to have visited team facilities.Though OTAs and minicamp were canceled and players aren't allowed to return to facilities yet, the NFL is working under the belief that the regular season will kick off as planned on Sept. 10.The majority of clubs recently reopened facilities for coaches and a limited amount of personnel. Commissioner Roger Goodell has announced that training camps must be held at main practice facilities and joint practices won't be allowed this offseason.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn threw his support behind his players should they choose to protest during the 2020 NFL season."If and when the players choose to protest ... in whatever way they choose, hell yeah, I'll support them," Quinn told reporters Monday, via ESPN's Vaughn McClure. "And I'll be with them, in whatever they choose to do."George Floyd's death in May, along with the police killings of Breonna Taylor and Tony McDade, helped spark worldwide protests against racial injustice and police brutality. A number of NFL players have said they intend to demonstrate during the national anthem after Colin Kaepernick originally did so in 2016, leading a movement that dominated conversation around the league for two seasons.After widespread criticism of the NFL's initial public statement about Floyd's death and the protests, which did not mention race, commissioner Roger Goodell released a stronger message earlier in June, acknowledging systemic anti-black racism and saying "Black Lives Matter." A handful of teams followed suit. Houston Texans head coach Bill O'Brien said last week that he intends to kneel alongside his players during the national anthem.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Three-time Pro Bowl guard Kyle Long would only consider returning to the Chicago Bears if they replace their coaching staff.Long, who retired in January after playing his entire seven-season career with the Bears, expressed his disapproval with Chicago's current staff in a series of tweets Monday.

Ezekiel Elliott is among the players from the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans who tested positive for COVID-19, Elliott's agent confirmed Monday to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.The star running back is "feeling good," according to Rapoport.Elliott's agent confirmed the news shortly after Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported that "several" players from both the Cowboys and Texans had tested positive for the coronavirus.None of the players are reportedly believed to have visited their respective team facilities, and both clubs are following proper health protocols.Shortly after his agent's confirmation, Elliott publicly questioned how the Cowboys' medical information got into the hands of the media:

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.There isn't an offense in the NFL more fun to break down than the Kansas City Chiefs'.The franchise encapsulates what a modern unit should look like: athletic, explosive, and flat-out dominant. That blueprint helped the Chiefs win the Super Bowl last year, their first since 1970.Will Kansas City experience a hangover in 2020, or continue setting records behind all-world quarterback Patrick Mahomes? Let's dive into the player props for the upcoming season, including which way we're leaning.Patrick Mahomes - O/U 4,525.5 passing yardsOver: -110

New Orleans Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins is joining CNN as a national affairs commentator amid the ongoing racial and social justice issues throughout the U.S., according to Variety's Brian Steinberg."Now more than ever, the public needs to be educated on the roles of elected positions of power, such as the district attorney, police chief, or city council and how to hold those individuals accountable, especially through their voice and their vote," said Jenkins in a statement."In an important election year, I'm eager to join the CNN family and share my perspective as a regular contributor," he continued. "I also want to thank CNN for their thoughtful leadership in viewing professional athletes beyond their sport as another educated voice who brings a varied perspective and value to the network’s programming and shows."Jenkins and Anquan Boldin founded the Players Coalition in 2017. The social justice group was created to "challenge dominant power structures, build mass popular support, and use culture to shift policy and change lives."The veteran safety also formed The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation in 2010, a non-profit organization that helps youths in underprivileged communities.Jenkins rejoined the Saints, who drafted him in 2009, as a free agent this offseason after six campaigns with the Philadelphia Eagles. He racked up 81 tackles, four forced fumbles, and 2.5 sacks for the NFC East club last year.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's been almost three months since the NFL's free-agency period began, and multiple impact players - including two past No. 1 overall picks - are still without teams due in large part to the unprecedented circumstances affecting the offseason.We're predicting where six of those players will sign and what their contracts could look like:Cam NewtonNewton is the biggest name available and the hardest to predict. Many still see the 2015 MVP as a top-10 quarterback, but a lack of available starting jobs around the league could be his undoing.He's certainly better than Gardner Minshew, but the Jacksonville Jaguars appear to be undergoing a rebuild and likely want to roll with the cheap sophomore rather than sign Newton to a big contract.The New England Patriots aren't waving the white flag without Tom Brady, but they enter the campaign with a league-low $1.3 million in cap space. The Los Angeles Chargers, who were once the favorites for Newton, drafted Justin Herbert at No. 6 overall and already have a veteran option in Tyrod Taylor.Washington Redskins head coach Ron Rivera teased he could be interested in reuniting with Newton, though his team seems committed to giving 2019 first-rounder Dwayne Haskins another year to develop.Newton's best option for a starting job is probably to wait for a quarterback to go down with an injury in training camp. But if he wants a deal in the near future, joining a playoff contender in need of a talented backup - similar to what Jameis Winston did when he signed with the New Orleans Saints - is likely his best bet. The Arizona Cardinals, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Tennessee Titans are all possible landing spots in that case.With Ben Roethlisberger now 38 years old and coming off a season-ending elbow injury, the Steelers are the top option, even though the team holds only $5 million in cap space. Pittsburgh expressed confidence in Mason Rudolph and Devlin Hodges, but the two youngsters struggled to replace Roethlisberger last year, which was was the main reason the club missed the playoffs.To avoid wasting another year with a championship-caliber roster, Mike Tomlin and Co. should find a way to sign Newton under the cap. That would easily make him the best Plan B at quarterback in the NFL.Prediction: Signs with Steelers on one-year, $10-million deal with extra $7 million in incentivesJadeveon Clowney Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyClowney was widely expected to be one of the first big-name players to sign in free agency, but he's struggled to find a suitor after producing a career-low three sacks last season. Clowney's market hasn't improved much even after he reportedly lowered his desired number from $20 million per year to around $17 million or $18 million.The star pass-rusher's best options now appear to be a return to the Seattle Seahawks or a deal with the Titans. Both teams have made it known they're interested, though neither seems to be in any hurry to secure his signature. Titans general manager Jon Robinson said last week that his team would be a "pretty good fit" for Clowney, but he added that the two parties haven't had any talks recently.The Cleveland Browns reportedly presented the richest offer to Clowney to no avail. Moreover, teams that have talked to Clowney are growing tired of his stance and are done negotiating after putting forth their offers, according to Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports.Similar to Newton, Clowney might not sign for a while. It seems unlikely a new team will enter the fray with an offer that rivals the Browns', which is believed to be around $18 million per year.With training camp restrictions likely to negatively impact players who are joining new teams, Clowney's best option is to run it back in Seattle and then hope to secure the long-term deal he covets as a free agent in 2021.Prediction: Signs with Seahawks on one-year, $16-million dealDevonta FreemanIt's possible we don't see Freeman on an NFL field at all in 2020. The veteran running back was released by the Atlanta Falcons in March despite having three years remaining on his contract. He hasn't garnered the interest he expected and is reportedly willing to sit out the season rather than play for less than what he believes he's worth.That stance already cost Freeman a job with the Seahawks, who pivoted to Carlos Hyde after having their offer to the former rebuffed. Hyde accepted a one-year, $2.75-million deal that could reach $4 million with incentives.The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are among the teams most often connected to Freeman. The fit makes sense, as sophomore Ronald Jones is the only established running back on the roster and it's vital that Brady has more experienced backfield partners protecting him. However, Bucs head coach Bruce Arians said Freeman is "asking for a lot of money and we don't have a lot of money."Still, it's hard to see a better landing spot for Freeman. The Chicago Bears and Buffalo Bills could use more depth but aren't as desperate to win this year and can risk going into the season with fewer proven options.The Bucs will likely wait until it's clear they're the only realistic option for Freeman. He's struggled to stay healthy of late, but Freeman knows how to work with a veteran quarterback after playing with Matt Ryan, and was a solid pass-protector and above-average receiver in Atlanta.Prediction: Signs with Buccaneers on two-year, $9-million dealLogan Ryan Kathryn Riley / Getty Images Sport / GettyRyan put together one of the most productive seasons of his career in 2019 with the Titans. The slot cornerback racked up four interceptions, four forced fumbles, and a career-high 4.5 sacks to help fuel the club's surprisingly successful campaign.Those numbers during a contract year usually result in a player getting whatever they demand on the open market. However, Ryan's options are limited by the fact that he reportedly wishes to continue making around $10 million per season. Teams don't appear comfortable paying that much to a slot corner who's nearly 30 and allowed five touchdown passes last season.Ryan shot down a return to Tennessee but said he's open to every other team. The New York Jets and Miami Dolphins appear to lead the pack, and both have a need that Ryan could immediately fill. The AFC East clubs aren't short on cap space - Jets have $24.7 million, Dolphins have $20.7 million - so it shouldn't be difficult to come close to the veteran's demands.However, it was previously reported that New York was confident Ryan would sign by now. Meanwhile, Miami already spent big on Byron Jones, used a first-round pick on Noah Igbinoghene, and has Xavien Howard on a huge deal.Ryan has history with Dolphins head coach Brian Flores, who was the Patriots safeties coach during the corner's stint in New England. That could tip the balance in Miami's favor, especially with teams operating under the assumption that young players such as Igbinoghene will be slow to get up to speed with limited training camps.Flores is clearly adopting the Patriots' philosophy of investing in pass coverage over the pass rush, so he may go all-in and create the NFL's premier cornerback trio.Prediction: Signs with Dolphins on two-year, $16-million dealJason PetersDespite turning 38 years old in January, Peters has no interest in retirement. The veteran said that "if Tom Brady can play into his 40s," so can he, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. Peters even released a workout video to show teams that he still possesses rare athleticism.Peters is more than capable of helping a team win in 2020. Though he's declined as a run-blocker, he remains an elite pass-protector. Peters had PFF's fourth-best pass-blocking grade after allowing just 21 total pressures and three sacks in 562 snaps for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2019. There aren't many better options for clubs in a need of a short-term fix at left tackle.The Eagles appear confident in Andre Dillard, but Peters' return is still possible. The veteran has spent the last 11 seasons in Philadelphia, and though he's spoken to the team, neither is in a rush to make a decision, according to Garafolo.The Chargers and Redskins - who traded away Russell Okung and Trent Williams, respectively - remain options and have poor in-house replacements. Los Angeles brought in Bryan Bulaga this offseason to improve a long-suffering offensive line. Peters' addition would allow the former Green Bay Packers standout to remain at right tackle and push the ineffective Sam Tevi to the bench.Prediction: Signs with Chargers on two-year, $15-million dealEverson Griffen Adam Bettcher / Getty Images Sport / GettyGriffen opted out of his contract with the Minnesota Vikings in February, and there has been little chatter about his future. The 32-year-old is likely looking at his last major payday and is apparently waiting to make in-person visits to teams before making his decision.The veteran is no longer capable of being the focal point of a pass rush, though he did rack up eight sacks in 2019 and is just three seasons removed from a 13-sack campaign.There are a handful of teams in contention for Griffen. The Cardinals could use a running mate for Chandler Jones, the Seahawks and Browns could pivot to Griffen if Clowney signs elsewhere, the Dallas Cowboys need a replacement for Robert Quinn, and a reunion with the Vikings is still possible.Arizona has been among those to show the most interest in the four-time Pro Bowler, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, though it has only $8.97 million in cap room.The Cardinals have been aggressive this offseason, landing star wideout DeAndre Hopkins in a blockbuster trade and adding Jordan Phillips and rookie Isaiah Simmons to their defense. Many are tipping Kliff Kingsbury's team as a surprise playoff contender in anticipation of a breakout year from Kyler Murray, and adding Griffen could be the key to fulfilling that hype.Prediction: Signs with Cardinals on three-year, $33-million deal(Cap numbers courtesy: Over The Cap)Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Ahead of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's move to South Florida, the Miami Dolphins quarterback's physical therapist lauded the progress the rookie has made since undergoing hip surgery."He's doing miraculously well," said Kevin Wilk, according to Safid Deen of the South Florida Sun Sentinel."The miraculous part is that he healed so well. The second part is, he's been so well at getting his strength back, which usually takes a long time after something like this."Tagovailoa, the No. 5 pick in this year's draft, has been rehabbing with Wilk in Alabama. But with the NFL lifting restricting on team facilities, the young passer was expected to leave for his new home Saturday.While the Dolphins haven't yet been able to conduct their own tests, Wilks has no doubts that the former Crimson Tide standout is ready to prove Miami was right to take a risk on him."You can barely talk to him when he's at the clinic. He's either doing exercises or his face is buried in the iPad, learning the system," Wilk said. "He's laser-focused. One of the most focused I've ever seen anybody, to be honest."Tagovailoa's legendary college career came to an early end last November when he suffered a dislocated hip and associated fracture against Mississippi State.While the first-year quarterback appears to be ahead of schedule in his recovery, Tagovailoa will need to beat out Ryan Fitzpatrick in training camp to get the perfect end to his long road back to health.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.All it took was one acquisition to turn the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from NFC also-rans to Super Bowl contenders - or so says the betting market.After winning seven games in 2019, the Bucs are 10-1 to win it all at theScore Bet - the fifth-shortest odds of any team - and are -230 to make the playoffs for the first time since 2007. The difference, of course, is Tom Brady, arguably the highest-profile free-agent signing in NFL history.Tampa Bay has been in a similar position before. In 2001, it signed quarterback Brad Johnson as a premier free agent and entered the year with 6-1 odds to win the title, second-shortest of any team. The Buccaneers were ultimately blown out in the wild-card round after a disappointing 9-7 season.Since 2000, five teams have signed or traded for a new Week 1 starter and entered the year with shorter than 15-1 odds to win the Super Bowl. All five finished below their preseason win total, and three of them missed the playoffs entirely.Here's the full list of Super Bowl favorites (shorter than 15-1) this century to enter a season with a newly acquired QB:YEARTEAMQUARTERBACKTITLE ODDSRECORD2020BuccaneersTom Brady+1000N/A2018VikingsKirk Cousins+10008-7-12015EaglesSam Bradford+8007-92004RedskinsMark Brunell+13006-102001RavensElvis Grbac+80010-62001BuccaneersBrad Johnson+6009-7New QB, worse resultsIt may look like an uninspiring list of teams and quarterbacks in hindsight, but all five previous squads entered the year with legitimate Super Bowl aspirations. And most of them compare favorably to this year's Buccaneers, who have little success to show for a loaded roster.In 2001, the Ravens were coming off a dominant Super Bowl run and seemingly overhauled the quarterback position when they signed former Chiefs starter Elvis Grbac - a Pro Bowler in 2000 - to replace incumbent Trent Dilfer. Instead, Grbac's stats were even worse than Dilfer's, and Baltimore flamed out in the divisional round.The 2004 Redskins and 2015 Eagles both made splashy trades for high-profile signal-callers who had lost their jobs at previous spots - Mark Brunell due to performance and Sam Bradford due to injury. Neither found success in their new homes, as the two NFC East squads posted losing records despite carrying title aspirations.The 2018 Vikings were coming off a 13-win season behind journeyman Case Keenum, who led the club to the Super Bowl's doorstep. Despite a career year from Kirk Cousins, Minnesota fell well short of preseason expectations and missed the playoffs.The five teams went a combined 40-39-1 with one playoff win and five "under" tickets cashed. That's not to say Brady and Co. can't go over their 9-win preseason total, but no team in recent history has pulled it off.Hall of Fame credentialsLooking at the list of quarterbacks, it's easy to separate Brady from the bunch. And sure enough, if you widen the parameters a bit, there's some reason for optimism.While no team shorter than 15-1 has capitalized on its preseason hype, a few teams with slightly longer odds turned out successful seasons behind new QBs:YEARTEAMQUARTERBACKTITLE ODDSRECORD2012BroncosPeyton Manning+160013-32009VikingsBrett Favre+160012-42003BroncosJake Plummer+150010-6These three teams all entered the year as mid-tier Super Bowl contenders. All three went over their preseason win total and made the playoffs, with the 2012 Broncos and '09 Vikings falling in overtime to that season's eventual Super Bowl champion.Comparing Brady to Peyton Manning and Brett Favre might be more apt than comparing him to Cousins and Bradford, even if the latter two entered the year shorter Super Bowl odds. Still, no team in the last 20 years has acquired a new Week 1 starter and won the Super Bowl that same year, even with a future Hall of Famer at the helm.None of the aforementioned teams had to deal with a - potentially - shortened offseason, either, which complicates the integration of a new QB. Despite the preseason hype, the Bucs would make history if they can pull off a Super Bowl run - which is something Brady is plenty familiar with.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.

Former New York Jets quarterback Christian Hackenberg is on the comeback trail, but he's exchanging the gridiron for the diamond.Hackenberg's pursuing a career as a big-league pitcher.

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich rebuked NFL commissioner Roger Goodell for failing to support Colin Kaepernick and other players who have protested racial injustice by kneeling during the U.S. national anthem."A smart man is running the NFL and he didn't understand the difference between the flag and what makes the country great - all the people who fought to allow Kaepernick to have the right to kneel for justice," Popovich told The New York Times' Maureen Dowd. "The flag is irrelevant. It's just a symbol that people glom onto for political reasons, just like (Dick) Cheney back in the Iraq war."The longtime Spurs bench boss added that Goodell "folded" when U.S. President Donald Trump criticized those who kneel during the national anthem.Trump suggested in September 2017 that NFL owners fire any player who refused to stand for "The Star-Spangled Banner." He also took issue with Goodell's recent statement that the NFL was "wrong for not listening" to players who had previously staged protests.Popovich also criticized Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who were among seven NFL owners who donated $1 million each to Trump's inaugural committee in 2017."It's just hypocritical. It's incongruent," Popovich said. "It doesn't make sense. People aren't blind. Do you go to your staff and your players and talk about injustices and democracy and how to protest? I don't get it. I think they put themselves in a position that's untenable."Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield vowed to kneel during the national anthem this season in an Instagram comment Saturday."Pull your head out," wrote Mayfield in a reply to a comment asking him not to protest. "I absolutely am."

Hall of Fame wide receiver Terrell Owens said Saturday that he was subject to "systemic racism" during his time with the San Francisco 49ers.Owens suited up for the 49ers from 1996 to 2003 but pointed specifically to the six seasons he spent playing under head coach Steve Mariucci, who is now an NFL Network analyst.The 46-year-old made the claim after saying he believes he was "blackballed" from the league following his final NFL season with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2010."I could've still continued to play but because I was outspoken, because of who I was, I wasn't allowed the opportunity," Owens told TMZ Sports. "Because I was outspoken. Because of who I was and because of some of the coaches that said things behind closed doors and got in the ears of these owners, that's why I wasn't able to really continue on with my career."To me, that was systemic racism. I experienced it when I was in San Francisco under coach Mariucci. I experienced it. Trust me, I experienced it."Owens racked up 72 catches for 983 yards and nine touchdowns in 2010 in 14 games but wasn't able to land another contract despite consistently saying he wanted to continue his career. The wideout told TMZ that he believes he could still play now.While Owens opted not to go into specifics about his issues in San Francisco, he said his reputation suffered as a result of the prejudice."There's a lot of media that portray me a certain way to where now even people think I'm this bad person," Owens said. "That I'm a character, I'm selfish, all these things. But, at the end of the day, I knew who I was and I just kept moving forward."Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Bill O'Brien is ready to kneel alongside any Houston Texans player during the national anthem. Could star defensive end J.J. Watt be among those prepared to join the head coach?In response to a Twitter user who said he doesn't believe Watt would kneel, the three-time Defensive Player of the Year said "don't speak for me." He also pushed back against the idea that doing so would be disrespectful to the United States military or flag:

Jamal Adams revealed Friday he's still waiting for the New York Jets to send him a contract proposal that the team said would be delivered in January.While commenting on an Instagram post about the Cleveland Browns and Myles Garrett engaging in extension talks, Adams dropped his latest hint of dissatisfaction with the Jets.

Antonio Brown pleaded no contest Friday to a battery charge stemming from a January altercation with a moving truck driver and received two years probation as part of the arrangement, according to TMZ Sports.Brown was also ordered to undergo a psychological evaluation, complete a 13-week course on anger management, and fulfill 100 hours of community service.Brown allegedly threw rocks at the moving truck and attacked the employee after entering his vehicle from the driver's side. The dispute began when Brown refused to pay a $4,000 fee.Initially, Brown was charged with felony burglary conveyance, misdemeanor battery, and misdemeanor criminal mischief. Two of the charges were dropped in exchange for his no-contest plea.A seven-time Pro Bowl wide receiver, Brown only played in one game last year because of a host of off-field issues. He spent most of the season on the commissioner's exempt list after the NFL began investigating a sexual assault allegation that was brought forth by his former personal trainer.Brown, 31, is a free agent.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

In a 10-minute video posted on social media, Baltimore Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti called the notion that athletes should limit their opinions to sports "the worst possible thing that you can feel and say.""If my players, both white and black, don't speak out about this injustice to their communities, then they're considered sellouts or hypocrites," he said. "If I don't defend my players, then I'm the worst kind of hypocrite."