Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky knows Nick Foles' arrival will create competition for him under center. However, Trubisky sees the situation as a source of motivation."It was kind of interesting to me," Trubisky said of the Foles trade Friday, according to Adam Hoge of NBC Sports. "That's the business that we're in. I think I was pissed off in a good way. I've been motivated ever since.""I still feel like this is my team," Trubisky added.Chicago traded a compensatory fourth-round pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars for Foles this offseason. The former Super Bowl MVP battled an early-season shoulder injury in his lone campaign with the Jaguars and eventually lost his starting job to Gardner Minshew.Trubisky struggled last season, completing 63.2% of his pass attempts for just 3,138 yards and 17 touchdowns against 10 interceptions. Chicago went on to miss the postseason one year after finishing 12-4."We need to get back to the playoffs," Trubisky said. "And we need to have a different mentality than we did last year. We let a lot of details slip and we didn't play the way we should have been playing. We lost a lot of games we should have won."The Bears declined the fifth-year option on Trubisky's rookie contract in May, a decision that didn't surprise the former second overall pick."The way I played last year didn't merit me getting that option," Trubisky said, according to Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Houston Texans head coach Bill O'Brien said Friday he intends to kneel alongside his players during the U.S national anthem in protest of racial inequality."Yeah, I'll take a knee - I’m all for it," O’Brien said about players kneeling, according to the Houston Chronicle's John McClain. "The players have a right to protest, a right to be heard, and a right to be who they are. They're not taking a knee because they're against our flag. They're taking a knee because they haven't been treated equally in this country for over 400 years."O'Brien, who is also Houston's general manager, has been among the most outspoken coaches in support of the Black Lives Matter cause.Team owner Cal McNair, Texans players, including J.J. Watt, and O'Brien attended the funeral of George Floyd - the black man who was killed May 25 while in the custody of Minneapolis police - in Houston on Wednesday."It wasn't a conscious effort," O'Brien said about the Texans' response to Floyd's death. "It wasn't like we had a conversation together and decided to do it. I think we just said enough is enough, and we've got to do what's right. As an organization, we're part of the conversation, and we want to do our part."Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After evaluating the four main leadership positions within each NFL organization, theScore tallies the results to determine which franchise possesses the best overall management group. Ties were broken by the best individual category finish.Categories

The NFL will recognize Juneteenth - a celebration of the end of slavery in America that usually takes place on June 19 - as a holiday by closing league offices, commissioner Roger Goodell informed teams in a memo Friday.

The Cleveland Browns and star edge defender Myles Garrett have engaged in contract extension talks, sources told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.Garrett, the No. 1 overall pick in 2017, is expected to become one of the highest-paid pass-rushers in the NFL when he signs his next contract. Through 37 career games, he has 30.5 sacks and six forced fumbles.Garrett still has two years left on his rookie contract.The 24-year-old had 10 sacks in as many games last year before his involvement in a brawl with the Pittsburgh Steelers yielded him a suspension for the remainder of the season.Garrett was the first of two straight No. 1 overall selections by the Browns. The franchise picked quarterback Baker Mayfield to begin the 2018 draft.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Despite no recent talks, the Tennessee Titans remain interested in free-agent edge defender Jadeveon Clowney."I know he wants to play," general manager Jon Robinson said Thursday, according to team writer Jim Wyatt. "I think we would be a pretty good fit for him. There was some mutual interest there when we started the discussions, but I would say that really hasn't grown legs since we spoke last."Clowney entered free agency in March as one of the most accomplished veterans on the market. However, offers weren't as lucrative as he expected.The three-time Pro Bowler has spent the offseason working out in Houston and rehabbing from a February surgery to repair a sports hernia.Clowney is coming off a three-sack season with the Seattle Seahawks, though he still generated quarterback pressures and served formidably in run defense. He spent the first five seasons of his career with the Houston Texans."No conversations of recent," Robinson said of the talks with Clowney. "I think we're going to continue to monitor it and see."The 27-year-old reportedly received his largest offer from the Cleveland Browns. He's also been connected to the Titans and New York Jets in recent months.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Carolina Panthers relocated a statue of founder and former owner Jerry Richardson on Wednesday due to concerns it would be targeted by people protesting racial injustice."We were aware of the most recent conversation surrounding the Jerry Richardson statue and are concerned there may be attempts to take it down," the team stated. "We are moving the statue in the interest of public safety."When Richardson sold the franchise to David Tepper in 2018, he included a clause in the contract that required his statue outside Bank of America Stadium not to be taken down.Richardson was pressured into selling the Panthers after allegations of workplace misconduct tarnished the franchise and his personal reputation. He was accused of hurling a racial slur at an African-American scout and sexually harassing female employees.

Las Vegas Raiders rookie Lynn Bowden Jr. was handcuffed Wednesday but not arrested or charged with a crime after authorities searched the residence of a family member in Youngstown, Ohio, his agency said.Bowden and his young son were guests at the home, which his mother tweeted belongs to his grandmother.U.S. Marshals and the Drug Enforcement Agency seized several loaded assault rifles and handguns from the house, according to WKBN's Gerry Ricciutti."The Raiders are aware of the situation and are in communication with Lynn Bowden Jr.," the team said in a statement obtained by Vincent Bonsignore of The Las Vegas Review-Journal. "We will not be commenting further at this time."Bowden cooperated with law enforcement officers, who left the house without making any arrests, the player's agency noted.Bowden was a third-round pick of the Raiders following a decorated career at Kentucky. He played quarterback and wide receiver for the Wildcats but was drafted as a running back. The 22-year-old was a consensus All-American for Kentucky in 2019.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Massachusetts congressman Joe Kennedy III wants to see Colin Kaepernick in a New England Patriots uniform.Kennedy, who's running for Senate in the Democratic primary, sent out a tweet Tuesday encouraging the Patriots to sign the quarterback.

In an effort to make law enforcement more accountable in the United States, the Players Coalition gathered over 1,400 signatures from current and retired athletes supporting a bill to end qualified immunity, according to ESPN's Michael Rothstein.Qualified immunity is a legal doctrine that makes it difficult to take legal action against police officers and government officials for their conduct.A number of high-profile athletes from the NFL, MLB, and NBA signed the letter, including Drew Brees, Tom Brady, Dak Prescott, Alex Bregman, CC Sabathia, Steve Kerr, and Gregg Popovich."We are tired of conversations around police accountability that go nowhere, and we have engaged in too many 'listening sessions,' where we discuss whether there is a problem of police violence in this country," the coalition wrote in a letter to Congress."There is a problem. The world witnessed it when officer (Derek) Chauvin murdered George Floyd, and the world is watching it now, as officers deploy enormous force on peaceful protestors like those who were standing outside of the White House last week," the letter continued. "The time for debate about the unchecked authority of the police is over; it is now time for change."The organization also invited every NFL team to a virtual meeting on Wednesday that will focus on how the league can promote social justice while assisting black communities, a source told ESPN's Dianna Russini.Anquan Boldin and Malcolm Jenkins founded the Players Coalition in 2017. The group works to change social inequality and bring awareness to the issue.Every major North American sports league has addressed racial injustice and plans to take major steps to tackle the problem.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Robert Griffin III still hopes he can be the No. 1 quarterback on an NFL roster."I want to be a starter again," Griffin said earlier this week on the "Matt Mosley Show." "I'm 30 years old. Quarterbacks are playing into their 40s now. I've got a lot of time left to still go achieve all the dreams and all the goals I set for myself.""Who knows? Maybe I'll be in Baltimore for the foreseeable future playing the role I am now, but getting compensated more for it," he continued. "Or I'll be able to go out and compete to be a starter again somewhere in the league."Griffin, the 2012 Offensive Rookie of the Year, has been the Baltimore Ravens' backup quarterback since 2018. After initially inking a one-year contract with the Ravens, he re-signed on a two-year pact worth $4 million prior to last season.Griffin backed up Lamar Jackson during his MVP campaign in 2019, making six brief appearances and a start in Week 17, when most of the starters were resting."It's been an amazing experience being in Baltimore," Griffin said. "A top-notch, first-class organization. They take care of their players. They understand the importance of taking care of the quarterback and surrounding the quarterback with guys and people that are going to help them grow. I'm a part of that. I'm a part of that for Lamar, helping him grow, helping him see the game, helping him continue to get better every single day."Griffin took the NFL by storm after the Washington Redskins drafted him second overall in 2012. The Pro Bowler tossed for 3,200 yards and 20 touchdowns against just five interceptions that year. He also rushed for 815 yards and seven touchdowns.However, his production declined after undergoing knee surgery at the end of that season. He posted a 5-10 record from 2013 to 2015 while missing 26 games during that span.Griffin started five games (1-4 record) with the Cleveland Browns in 2016 after Washington released him.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL and NFL Players Association are discussing the possibility of a shortened preseason due to the COVID-19 crisis, sources told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.Executives from multiple teams reportedly believe the exhibition slate will be cut in half from four games to two.The move would be made to allow a longer "ramp-up" period for players who may not arrive to training camp in the same type of physical condition they normally do because of workout restrictions. Additionally, medical experts would have more time to finalize game-day protocols for testing, equipment handling, locker room setups, and more.The NFL has traditionally played a four-game preseason but is already on track to move to a three-game docket in 2021 when the new collective bargaining agreement takes effect.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

As NFL teams and coaching staff begin preparing for a season amid the COVID-19 pandemic, some of them are developing creative contingency plans.Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians said he's considering whether to keep one quarterback away from club facilities at all times to ensure his team has at least one healthy signal-caller."That's one of the things I've been pondering the last two or three weeks as we set the protocols," Arians told Chris Long on the former defensive end's "Green Light" podcast. "From what I'm understanding is, if you test positive, you get quarantined for two weeks. Now, if you have no symptoms, I don't know what that means. Is it a false (positive)? There is so much to learn and still explore. ..."But I've thought about keeping the third quarterback on the roster out of the room. We have two guys that have been in our system (Blaine Gabbert and Ryan Griffin), really sharp. So, I might have to quarantine a quarterback just in case of a quarantine."The Buccaneers made the offseason's biggest splash by signing Tom Brady, but Arians wants to prepare for the unknown. If Brady were to test positive for COVID-19, it's possible that his backups in a confined quarterback room would also need to be quarantined.The NFL sent teams a memo Monday laying out plans for players' eventual return to club facilities, but the league is still determining an official course of action for those who test positive.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

theScore's football staff evaluates the leadership positions within each NFL organization to determine which franchise possesses the best management group.Next up, we rank each team's coordinator duo.Categories

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.Most NFL teams appear to have their rosters set heading into training camps but one big-name free agent is still without a home. Though Cam Newton's resume includes a Super Bowl appearance and a Most Valuable Player award, so far, no team has showed serious interest in signing him.Newton will find a team eventually, but the list of candidates is dwindling. Here are the odds to sign Newton, along with a breakdown of the field.Team OddsRedskins+300Steelers+450Broncos+500Seahawks+500Patriots+500Bears+750Jaguars+750Raiders+1000Chargers+200049ers+2000Teams to considerThe list of possible suitors for Newton is short after virtually every team has its starter and backup locked in heading into the season. The one team most associated with Newton is the New England Patriots (+500). Bill Belichick reportedly inquired about Newton early in the free-agency process but didn't make a move. While Cam makes sense on paper for a team that lost Tom Brady, he may not be a great fit in New England's tight-lipped locker room. While Belichick could certainly revisit signing Newton before September, the Patriots are more likely to enter Week 1 with Jarrett Stidham and Brian Hoyer as their top two quarterbacks.The more probable scenario is Newton going the Jameis Winston route and signing as a backup for a team with a veteran quarterback in place. The two top candidates are the Pittsburgh Steelers (+450) and Seattle Seahawks (+500). Ben Roethlisberger is coming off elbow surgery, and while the team is still high on backup Mason Rudolph, Pittsburgh could opt to add Newton at the right price, providing more depth behind the 38-year-old Roethlisberger.The Seahawks are interesting because they have very little behind starter Russell Wilson. Geno Smith is the backup and undrafted rookie Anthony Gordon is the only other quarterback on the roster. Newton would obviously be a big upgrade over either of those two as Wilson's backup.Teams to avoidThe Washington Redskins are the +300 favorites, but former Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera has shown no interest in adding Newton thus far. The Redskins seem content to go into the season with Dwayne Haskins and Kyle Allen as their top two quarterbacks, making Washington overvalued at +300.Like the Redskins, the Denver Broncos (+500) and Jacksonville Jaguars are each starting young quarterbacks and don't want the distraction of Newton being the No. 2. Jacksonville recently signed Mike Glennon to back up Gardner Minshew, likely taking the team out of the Newton sweepstakes.The Broncos are all-in on starter Drew Lock but only have Jeff Driskel behind him. It's still difficult to imagine a team with a second-year quarterback bringing in Newton as the backup. There are better options than Denver on the board.The Chicago Bears at +750 makes no sense at all. The Bears already have a quarterback logjam with Mitchell Trubisky and Nick Foles battling to be the starting quarterback, yet Chicago is tied with Jacksonville with the third-shortest odds to sign Newton. There is virtually no chance that the Bears do so.Best betSeahawks +500While Newton's resume speaks for itself, signing the sometimes high-maintenance quarterback comes with risk. The team that brings him in will almost certainly have a veteran quarterback, established head coach, and strong locker room culture. The Seahawks fit that description and the team could really use an upgrade at backup quarterback over Smith.Pete Carroll is the type of coach who takes risks on players, and signing Newton would be similar to the New Orleans Saints adding Winston for veteran insurance. Newton is running out of options but he'll likely have to start 2020 as a backup, and Seattle at +500 makes the most sense.Thomas Casale is theScore's supervising editor of sports betting. He's been following the sports betting industry for almost 30 years. A devoted fan of the wishbone offense, Thomas bets on all sports but specializes in college football, NFL, and college basketball. Find him on Twitter @TheTomCasale.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Former NFL wide receiver Brandon Marshall regrets not joining Colin Kaepernick in his protest against police brutality and racial injustice during the 2016 season.Marshall, who was a member of the New York Jets at the time, spoke about his decision not to kneel during the national anthem on "I Am Athlete," explaining he worried about the possible repercussions that could arise."The first thing that came to my mind - and I'm just being honest - was, 'I got a mom that don't work. I got a sister with four kids that don't work and I've been taking care of for 10 years. If I take this knee, what will happen?'" Marshall said. "And I remember feeling so broken and so hurt that that was the first thing that hit my mind. 'Do I kneel for the entire community, or do I stand for my mom, my brother, and my sister?' And looking back on it, I am ashamed that I didn't take that knee."Marshall went on to praise the recent video message NFL players released, which calls on the league to condemn racism."I am so excited now about with the video that just came out with the NFL players, because now I feel like they don't have to make that decision," Marshall said. "They don't have to think about that anymore. If they want to take a knee, you think Nike's going to drop them?"NFL commissioner Roger Goodell released his own video message Friday acknowledging the league was "wrong for not listening" to player protests.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Richard Sherman has long been among the NFL's most vocal players regarding its off-field issues, and now he's speaking out about the league's battle with racial injustice.After commissioner Roger Goodell released a stronger statement supporting the black community last week, the San Francisco 49ers cornerback wants that message reiterated from individual owners, specifically high-profile ones like Jerry Jones."It's not pulling them like it is the rest of the country," Sherman said, according to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. "Because if it was, then they'd speak. Jerry Jones, especially, has no problem speaking up any other time about anything else. But when it's such a serious issue, and he could really make a huge impact on it with a few words, his silence speaks volumes."The Dallas Cowboys owner was vocal when Colin Kaepernick and other NFL players began kneeling during the national anthem in 2016. Jerry and his son, Cowboys executive vice president and CEO Stephen Jones, said all Dallas players must stand during the anthem or risk being released.While some owners have yet to take a firm stance on racial injustice, Sherman was at least pleased that issues are being discussed around the league."But I think this time society has moved forward to the point where they're able to have a conversation and their family understands, 'Hey, (black) people have had a tough go at it. They deal with inequities at all levels. And maybe it is time to start understanding that and seeing that even though it doesn’t affect us as much,'" he said.h/t to Pro Football TalkCopyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

theScore's football staff evaluates the leadership positions within each NFL organization to determine which franchise possesses the best management group.Next up are the head coaches.

theScore's football staff evaluates the leadership positions within each NFL organization to determine which franchise possesses the best management group.First up are the general manager rankings.Categories

Colin Kaepernick understands the black community's influence throughout the growth and development of hockey over 100 years ago.The former NFL quarterback, who peacefully protested racial injustice and police brutality and then wasn't signed, took time on a recent video call with the newly formed Hockey Diversity Alliance to emphasize the key role black players played in bringing the game forward in Nova Scotia during the late 1800s."All of us on the Zoom call just stared into the screen,” former NHLer Akim Aliu told The Athletic's Dan Robson. "He knew about the history of the game. He said, 'You guys created this game. That's something that people need to know.'"Kaepernick helped brainstorm ideas and provided support while talking to the group last week, according to Robson.Aliu, who's become the leading voice in the push for equality in hockey circles, started talking to Kaepernick after coming forward with his own revelations of former head coach Bill Peters' racial slurs toward him in late 2019."He's a beacon of strength," Aliu said of the former San Francisco 49er. "Look at how long it took for him to finally be the hero and not be the villain."Kaepernick has recently become more popular as the Black Lives Matter movement gains support amid widespread protests following the death of George Floyd in police custody in late May."You see how long he's been blackballed by the NFL and how long he's been alienated from everything," Aliu said. "And now he's a true hero. I feel that's what he really deserves."Aliu and six other current or retired black NHL players unveiled the Hockey Diversity Alliance on Monday. San Jose Sharks forward Evander Kane and Aliu will serve as co-heads of the group, which is independent from the NHL but plans to work with the league on its goal of eradicating racism and intolerance in hockey.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL strengthened its message of support for the black community over the last week, and several players believe one of the next steps would be Colin Kaepernick returning to the league.Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan appreciated the NFL condemning racial injustice following the death of George Floyd in police custody, and he suggests Kaepernick should now be given a chance to resume his career."I think he should have every opportunity (to be on a roster)," Ryan said, according to ESPN's Vaughn McClure. "(Kaepernick) created awareness for a situation that - it's taking some time - but people are becoming more active in terms of their response to it. So I think from that standpoint his protest is being heard."I think he should have every opportunity to have a job and to have a spot in this league," he continued.Commissioner Roger Goodell has yet to state whether he'll allow demonstrations during the national anthem in 2020, but he said the league was "wrong for not listening" to players who previously protested.Kaepernick and his supporters believe the passer was blackballed after he began kneeling during the national anthem in 2016. The 32-year-old reportedly continues to train daily, hoping for a comeback opportunity.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.The 2019 Tennessee Titans' offense was extremely efficient, but it wasn't easy getting there.Looking to spark a unit that had scored seven points in three of their previous four games heading into Week 7, Tennessee pulled the plug on quarterback Marcus Mariota in favor of veteran Ryan Tannehill.The decision ultimately saved the season.Tennessee advanced to the AFC Championship Game behind a resurgent Tannehill, who posted an otherworldly 7.7% touchdown rate and 9.6 yards per attempt. The supporting cast was equally brilliant.Running back Derrick Henry registered personal bests in virtually every category; receiver A.J. Brown crossed the 1,000-yard mark as a rookie.A year after grading out as the No. 6 adjusted offense in the league, what do the Titans have for an encore this fall?Today, we'll profile the 2020 offense as we continue our player prop series. Here's what sticks out.A.J. Brown - O/U 7.5 receiving touchdownsOver: -115

More than two months after agreeing to a contract with the Atlanta Falcons, running back Todd Gurley passed a physical with his new squad on Monday, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Gurley was able to fly to Atlanta for the physical. Many speculated about how the star tailback's arthritic knee will affect his play moving forward.The three-time Pro Bowler inked a one-year, $5.5-million deal with the Falcons after the Los Angeles Rams released him at the onset of free agency. He was entering the first season of a lucrative four-year extension when L.A. cut him.During the months between Gurley agreeing to a contract and passing the physical, Atlanta's coaching staff seemed to question the 25-year-old's status with the club. Offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter told reporters in May that "no one seems to know" if the running back was healthy.Gurley's production declined in 2019 after being named an All-Pro the year prior. He recorded 857 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground while averaging 3.8 yards per carry.The former Georgia standout is expected to lead the Falcons' backfield in 2020, with Ito Smith, Brian Hill, and Qadree Ollison behind him on the depth chart.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Arizona Cardinals wideout DeAndre Hopkins revealed Monday why he doesn't mention his alma mater, Clemson, during player intros on NFL broadcasts.Hopkins shared in an Instagram post that he's bothered that the school celebrates John C. Calhoun - a slave owner and pro-slavery politician - with its honors program."I felt this oppressive figure during my time at Clemson and purposely do not mention the university's name before NFL games because of it," Hopkins wrote.

New Orleans Saints receiver Michael Thomas made a substantial donation Monday.The All-Pro wideout, in partnership with RIP Medical Debt, relieved more than $2 million in medical debts for 1,025 New Orleans-area residents, the team announced Monday."I'm honored to support my community in this way and make an impact in the city that's been so welcoming to me from the minute I came here," Thomas said. "I hope these families receive a little relief in knowing their medical bills have been taken care of during these very difficult times in our country."Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook plans to hold out and skip all team-related activities unless he secures a new deal, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports."Without a reasonable extension, he will not be showing up for camp or beyond," a source told Schefter.The 24-year-old wants to match or exceed the $13 million per season that Houston Texans running back David Johnson earns. A contract in that annual range would make Cook one of the top five earners at the position.Cook and the Vikings haven't held contract discussions since last week, according to Schefter. Cook reportedly presented his proposals and, to this point, the team has been unwilling to meet his demands.The 2019 Pro Bowler is entering the final year of his rookie contract and is scheduled to make $1.3 million in base salary for the campaign.Cook is coming off the best season in his three years in the pros, running for 1,135 yards and 13 touchdowns. He ranked inside the top 10 in both categories despite missing two games in 2019. The Vikings owned the league's sixth-ranked running game.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Defensive lineman Jurrell Casey isn't happy with how his nine-season stint with the Tennessee Titans ended.Casey, who was traded to the Denver Broncos for a seventh-round pick this offseason, believes the Titans weren't loyal to him after he stuck with the club through several losing seasons."The part that is so crazy ... is you give so much to them," Casey said on the "Double Coverage" podcast. "Especially when you come up on free agency, you do extensions, you had opportunities to go and do things somewhere else, especially the way we was going ... 2-14, 3-13, that's some rough times. ... But when you a loyal guy and you feel like things are going in the right direction and you that centerpiece, you got no choice but to fight it through. That's what my whole mindset was."He added: "For us to get to that point to get better and to be a main focus of that, and then you just throw me to the trash like I wasn't a main block of that ... Especially coming off an injury the year before, play the whole season for y'all, no complaints, did everything you wanted me to do, and you throw me like a piece of trash. That's the piece that hurts the most."Casey recorded 2.5 sacks and one forced fumble through three playoff contests last season, helping the Titans reach the AFC Championship Game for the first time since 2002.The 30-year-old said he wasn't informed about the impending move to Denver until roughly 30 seconds before the trade. He admitted to crying in the days following the deal.Tennessee drafted Casey in the third round in 2011. He inked a four-year, $60.4-million extension in 2017.Casey notched a career-high 10.5 sacks in 2013 but hasn't replicated that double-digit production. However, he's amassed at least five sacks in seven straight campaigns.Casey's made five straight Pro Bowl appearances.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Colin Kaepernick hasn't thrown an NFL pass since Jan. 1, 2017, but he remains undeterred in his quest to return to the league.The 32-year-old still trains every day - both in the gym and on the field - in hopes of an NFL comeback, sources told TMZ Sports."He's in the best shape of his life," one source said.Kaepernick and his supporters believe he was blackballed by the NFL after he began kneeling during the national anthem in 2016. He opted out of his contract with the San Francisco 49ers at the close of that season - though it's believed the team would have released him had he not chosen to become a free agent. He hasn't been signed by another team since.Commissioner Roger Goodell admitted Friday that the league was "wrong for not listening to NFL players earlier" and said it would "encourage all to speak out and peacefully protest."Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find out the latest on COVID-19's impact on the sports world and when sports are returning by subscribing to Breaking News push notifications in the Sports and COVID-19 section.The NFL and NFLPA are discussing the possibility of certain players - such as rookies and veterans who changed clubs and require physicals - returning to team facilities on a limited basis before June 26, sources told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.Potential dates have not been set and summer minicamps aren't expected to take place, Pelissero adds.Commissioner Roger Goodell sent a league-wide memo last week allowing coaches to return to team facilities starting June 5 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but most players aren't expected back until training camp.The NFL issued protocols to clubs Monday laying out plans for players' eventual return to club facilities. These included configuring locker rooms so athletes stay at least six feet apart, holding virtual meetings, and classifying staff in tiers.Neither the league nor its teams have yet to confirm when training camps will be held, but clubs will be forced to stay in their own facilities and joint practices won't be permitted.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.We know the Indianapolis Colts can run the ball. Can they become more two-dimensional?Head coach Frank Reich assembled the offense into a run-first unit last season. The result was the NFL's seventh-best adjusted rushing offense, while the passing game lagged behind at No. 24.With former longtime Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers joining the fray and the team's core still intact, what can we expect the Colts to look like in 2020?Here's the best player prop on the board, along with a note on one receiver you should keep tabs on.T.Y. Hilton - O/U 1,025.5 receiving yardsOver: -110

Shaquille O'Neal asked New Orleans Saints players not to let the media divide the team following Drew Brees' remarks last week, according to Peter King of NBC Sports."They're going to try to divide you, just like they divided us with the (Los Angeles) Lakers," O'Neal, who was a guest speaker during the team's virtual meeting, said. "Me and Kobe (Bryant), we had a great thing going, but the media divided our team ... We could have won five more championships. Stay strong. Don't let the media divide you. Don't let social media divide you."Brees said Wednesday he would "never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag" by protesting during the anthem. The Saints quarterback has since apologized twice after his comments drew the ire of players across the NFL.New Orleans held the virtual team meeting last Thursday. Following the call, Shaq talked about how Brees' teammates reacted after the signal-caller's apology."They said, 'Drew, we know your character. We know you stepped in some stuff that you can't get out of, but guess what: we want you to do more positive things and less talking.' And they all said we accept your apology," O'Neal said Thursday on TNT.O'Neal and Bryant won three straight titles with the Lakers from 2000-02. But the all-time great duo was known for having tension between them mostly due to personal differences and arguments over their respective roles. The three-time Finals MVP was traded to the Miami Heat in 2004 while Bryant re-signed for seven years with Los Angeles.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's been five years since the Broncos won Super Bowl 50, and general manager John Elway has spent that time trying to replace Peyton Manning, with little to show for it.Since 2016, Denver is just 27-37, with zero playoff appearances. The Broncos have cycled through three head coaches since Manning, and they've endured three straight losing seasons for the first time since 1972. With all of the short-term roster improvements Denver just made, it's fair to wonder whether second-year head coach Vic Fangio will be coaching for his job - which, in turn, could have consequences for second-year quarterback Drew Lock's future in Denver.Elway selected Lock in the second round of the 2019 draft. At 6-foot-4, 228 pounds, Lock is precisely the sort of tall, big-armed quarterback Elway tends to prefer. (Elway previously selected Brock Osweiler in the second round and Paxton Lynch in the first; both stand 6-foot-7. He also traded a fourth-rounder before last season to acquire Joe Flacco, who's 6-foot-6 and now with the New York Jets.)Lock is the seventh QB to start for the Broncos since Manning's retirement, following such luminaries as Trevor Siemian, Lynch, Osweiler, Case Keenum, Flacco, and Brandon Allen - in that order.The rookie finally got the wheel in Week 13, after Flacco and Allen had dug Denver into a 3-8 crater. Lock went 4-1, including a 38-24 takedown of eventual AFC South champions the Houston Texans on the road. In that victory, he completed 22 of 27 passes for 309 yards, three touchdowns, one interception, an adjusted yards per attempt of 12.0, and a passer rating of 136.0. It was far and away his best performance.Lock was just OK in his other four starts, which included a total stinker against the Kansas City Chiefs, though he also brought the Broncos back from a 10-point deficit against the Detroit Lions. His four wins came against teams with a composite record of 25-38-1. He didn't make enough throws to qualify for most leaderboards, but he did throw five interceptable passes and just two money throws, with a total of seven danger plays, which are unnecessary risks that could have resulted in a turnover. His Total QBR of 48.2 would have ranked 24th. A PFF projection determined that Lock has a greater likelihood of being among the worst five QBs in the league in 2020 than he does of ranking in the top half. Tim Warner / Getty ImagesStill, the Broncos got Lock plenty of help this offseason. They added former Chargers running back Melvin Gordon and Lions guard Graham Glasgow in free agency, then went all-in on skill players with speed in the draft: wideouts Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler in the first two rounds, plus tight end Albert Okwuegbunam in the fourth round. They now have Gordon to pair with Phillip Lindsay in the backfield; Courtland Sutton, Jeudy, Hamler, and DaeSean Hamilton at wideout; and Noah Fant and Okwuegbunam at tight end. On paper, at least, that's as fast and deep as any skill group in the league.All those moves prompted NBC's Peter King to describe the 2020 Broncos as a franchise with the potential to rise substantially - or to stay down where they've been. "This is going to be a fun team to watch," King wrote. "I could see the Broncos, in a rising division, anywhere between second and fourth, anywhere between six and 11 wins." In all likelihood, Lock's play will determine that trajectory.Lock has three years remaining on his rookie deal, with projected cap numbers of just $1.6 million, $1.9 million, and $2.3 million. But his fortunes are likely yoked to Fangio's. After all these improvements, which also included trades to acquire cornerback A.J. Bouye and defensive tackle Jurrell Casey, another losing season could prompt Elway to seek another coach, which would create all sorts of uncertainty for Lock. It's too soon to know whether the Broncos have found their QB, but by the end of 2020, they'll probably have their answer.Dom Cosentino is a senior features writer at theScore.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.Oddsmakers expect Tom Brady to throw for 29-30 touchdowns with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this upcoming season. The first one's going to be worth a little extra.Arguably no other player has been featured in 2020 props more than Brady, who's change of scenery from New England to Tampa this offseason prompted the books to whip up a plethora of markets for the GOAT. Not only can you bet on his individual player props, or whether the Buccaneers or Patriots will win more games, you can also wager on who will catch Brady's first touchdown pass.We'll focus on just that today. Here's how the prices stack up.Odds to catch Tom Brady's first TD pass in 2020Player OddsChris Godwin+200Mike Evans+200Rob Gronkowski+325Ronald Jones+700Cameron Brate+750O.J. Howard+800Dare Ogbunwale+1200Justin Watson+1600Scotty Miller+1800The favoritesWe shouldn't be surprised to see Chris Godwin and Mike Evans as co-favorites. They were the only two teammates inside PFF's top 10 wide receiver grades for 2019.There really isn't much separating the two. Godwin caught 86 passes on a team-leading 121 targets last season. Meanwhile, Evans saw just three fewer targets, yet recorded only 67 receptions. Both easily crossed the 1,000-yard mark, while Godwin's nine touchdowns barely edged out Evans' eight.The othersIt's refreshing to see Rob Gronkowski (+325) further down the list. Had he been the favorite, he would have been an easy sell.Despite a year away from the gridiron for the tight end, Gronkowski's always been one of, if not Brady's favorite target. The recently turned 31-year-old has 78 touchdown passes from Brady in the regular season, which doubles the next-best clip (Julian Edelman, 39).If there's one long shot to like, it's O.J. Howard (+800). The fantasy community seems to always have a soft spot for the former first-round pick, who's had to fight for targets with fellow tight end Cameron Brate. Instead of building off a 2018 campaign that produced 565 yards on 34 catches with five scores, Howard put up a line of 34-459-1 last year.However, Howard's career 15.5 yards per catch is enticing. Betting a player who can score from virtually anywhere on the field might not be the worst idea in the world, much less at a price like 8-1.Alex Kolodziej is a betting writer for theScore. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 12 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AJKolodziej.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Three days after Roger Goodell issued a second statement and stronger message of support for the NFL's black community, U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted his concern over the commissioner potentially allowing players to kneel during the national anthem.

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.With the NFL expanding its playoff field to 14 teams this season, there's more opportunity than ever to take a shot on an under-the-radar squad with postseason aspirations - and even more certainty when betting the juggernauts.Here are the full NFL playoff odds from theScore Bet, along with a few clubs to target at this early stage:TEAMMAKEMISSKansas City Chiefs-900+600Baltimore Ravens-900+600San Francisco 49ers-380+300New Orleans Saints-330+270Tampa Bay Buccaneers-230+190Philadelphia Eagles-230+190New England Patriots-220+180Dallas Cowboys-210+175Buffalo Bills-185+165Green Bay Packers-170+150Indianapolis Colts-165+145Seattle Seahawks-140+120Pittsburgh Steelers-140+120Tennessee Titans-130+110Minnesota Vikings+120EvenChicago Bears+130-150Houston Texans+130-150Cleveland Browns+135-155Los Angeles Rams+140-160Los Angeles Chargers+180-220Denver Broncos+190-240Atlanta Falcons+220-260Las Vegas Raiders+270-330Arizona Cardinals+290-350New York Giants+330-400Detroit Lions+350-450New York Jets+400-550Miami Dolphins+450-650Carolina Panthers+525-750Washington Redskins+525-750Cincinnati Bengals+750-1100Jacksonville Jaguars+750-1100New Orleans Saints (-330 to make)What's the scenario in which the Saints miss the playoffs? Drew Brees missed five games last year and New Orleans still won 13 tilts for a second straight season. The roster might be better now than it was in either of those campaigns, and even another Brees injury wouldn't be enough to derail this team.Houston Texans (-150 to miss)The Texans have made the playoffs in four of the last five years, but that was before Bill O'Brien traded away DeAndre Hopkins. O'Brien also did little in the offseason to improve a vulnerable defense and suspect offensive line, both of which will be issues in 2020. The schedule does Houston no favors, so this bet could be almost settled by the Week 8 bye.New England Patriots (+180 to miss)Betting against Bill Belichick is a frightening endeavor, but these odds are too good not to pounce on considering the state of the Patriots' roster. The offense lacks talent around second-year quarterback Jarrett Stidham, and the defense lost the lion's share of the production from last year's impressive unit. Fade, fade, fade.New York Jets (+400 to make)If you're skeptical about the Jets' offensive line or expect stagnant play-calling to hold the team back, you're probably right. Yet this is largely the same roster that won seven games last season - despite some of the worst injury luck of any team this century, according to Football Outsiders. This is an intriguing bet at long odds based on positive regression alone, especially if Sam Darnold can take another step forward in his third NFL season.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 NFL wide receiver Reche Caldwell was shot and killed Saturday in Tampa, his mother told the Tampa Bay Times. He was 41.Local police confirmed in a news release that officers responded to a call about a shooting late in the evening and found a man in his 40s with a gunshot wound.Drafted out of Florida by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft, Caldwell spent four seasons with the Chargers before joining the New England Patriots. He enjoyed his most productive NFL season with the Patriots in 2006, catching 61 passes for 760 yards and four touchdowns to lead the team in all three categories.Caldwell appeared on a few more rosters after leaving the Patriots, finishing his pro career in 2008. He was arrested on multiple occasions over the following years and was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison in 2015 after pleading guilty to a drug charge.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, who grew up in Minneapolis, wrote Sunday of the fervent unrest that began in his city and spread across the United States and the world in an essay for The New York Times.After the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody, protests against police brutality and racial injustice erupted across the city that Fitzgerald wrote, "taught me about love." Floyd's killing also sparked rioting that destroyed local businesses."What you're seeing on the news is not the hometown of my youth," Fitzgerald wrote.Though Fitzgerald recalled that he didn't personally experience police harassment growing up in Minneapolis, the 36-year-old wrote that recent events have laid bare the systemic problems that still exist across the U.S. Those problems, he added, have precipitated desperate actions on the part of desperate people.Fitzgerald, a former recipient of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award honoring players' charity work, condemned violent riots and called for individuals in power to heed those who have suffered injustice."We must work together to heal this divide and rebuild our communities by committing to let no voice go unheard," he wrote. "Our first step must be to listen to one another - to sincerely lean in and hear what the person who is different from us is saying."Fitzgerald wrote that he's hopeful for change after seeing tens of millions of Americans, including some in law enforcement, speak out against injustice and demand meaningful change.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

More than 50 Broncos players and all 25 coaches marched through downtown Denver together on Saturday in a peaceful demonstration against police brutality and racial injustice.

Less than a week after the NFL released its initial statement addressing George Floyd's death, commissioner Roger Goodell provided a stronger message of support to the league's black community Friday.However, the second statement was apparently forced by a handful of NFL employees and several players after the first one was heavily criticized.Many employees believed the initial message said nothing at all, sources told The Athletic's Jourdan Rodrigue and Lindsay Jones, and later applied internal pressure on Goodell to release a more meaningful statement.A group of people responsible for managing the NFL's social media platforms held multiple virtual town hall-style meetings - one of which was attended by Goodell - over the last week to express disappointment in the league's choice of words, sources told Rodrigue and Jones.Additionally, NFL video producer Bryndon Minter told The Athletic that he independently reached out to New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas to produce a video asking the league to condemn racism and admit wrongdoing in silencing peaceful protests."(The first statement) was incredibly inappropriate," Minter said. "As of Monday night, people thought that was a good move. And that pissed me off so much ... When the league, and company we work for, doesn't simply come out and condemn racism - as simple as that - people start to morally have issues with that."I decided, 'Hey, I'm just going to go rogue here,'" he continued. "If I can get one player to buy in, we'll take a chance at this and see what can happen.'"Minter messaged Thomas on Instagram on Wednesday, disclosing his idea to make a statement. The star wideout, who criticized quarterback Drew Brees' initial remarks on kneeling during the U.S. national anthem, agreed. Minter said Thomas acted as an "executive producer" for the video and was involved in a lot of the process, including recruiting players like Saquon Barkley and Odell Beckham Jr."Mike said, 'Let's get the top guys in the league (to add their voices),'" Minter explained."(Mike) is the whole reason it started ... it was incredible," he continued.Goodell released his second message less than 24 hours after the video was released."I don't think it solved anything, here," Minter said. "But it's a step. It's not silence."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.In an effort to shine a light on the unnoticed or outright ignored, we've built a list of players who are way off the fantasy radar but could become relevant if things fall their way during the season.Keep these players on your watch list and be ready to pounce when their opportunity arises.Average draft position data courtesy of Fanball, since best-ball ADP tends to be ahead of the curve at this point in the year. It's based on 12-team leagues with PPR scoring.More in this series

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell provided a strong message of support to the league's black workforce Friday.Less than 24 hours after a collection of the NFL's superstar black players asked the league to condemn racism, admit wrongdoing in silencing players from peacefully protesting, and state that black lives matter, Goodell did just that.

Drew Brees has a message for United States President Donald Trump.The New Orleans Saints quarterback took to Instagram on Friday to respond to Trump, who tweeted earlier that Brees "should not have taken back his original stance" about protests during the national anthem.

The fifth-leading rusher in NFL history plans to take a knee before games this fall."Without a doubt," Washington Redskins running back Adrian Peterson said Friday at a charity event in Texas, according to Greg Bailey of KTRK."We're all getting ready to take a knee together," Peterson added.The issue has returned to the forefront after the death of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis last Monday prompted protests against police brutality and racial inequality across the United States.Several NFL players have participated in marches and protests in their home states, and it could lead to more players taking a knee during the national anthem, as was the case in 2016 when Colin Kaepernick led the charge."Are they going to try to punish us all? If not playing football is going to help us save lives and change things, then that's just what it has to be," Peterson said, according to TMZ Sports.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

An ironworker died after falling from the roof of SoFi Stadium on Friday and work at the construction site has temporarily stopped, a spokesperson for the contractor confirmed, according to ESPN's Lindsey Thiry.A source said the worker fell at least 60 feet while working on the southeast corner of the roof, according to Nathan Fenno of the Los Angeles Times."This is an extremely sad day," the site's general contractor, Turner-AECOM Hunt, said in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and colleagues at this extremely difficult time. We work extremely hard to prevent days like this and we have halted all construction activity."There's also a coronavirus outbreak at the construction site. Seven workers tested positive in the last eight days, bringing the total number of known cases among workers at the stadium to 12, according to Fenno.Construction on SoFi Stadium, located in Inglewood, California, started in November 2016. The project is currently estimated to cost $5 billion-$6 billion after being initially tagged at $2.6 billion. The arena will be the new home of the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers.A preseason game between the Rams and the New Orleans Saints on Aug. 14 is scheduled to be the first event at SoFi Stadium.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

United States President Donald Trump weighed in Friday on the controversy sparked by Drew Brees' comments about players potentially kneeling during the national anthem.The New Orleans Saints quarterback said on Wednesday he would "never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag" by protesting during the anthem. Brees' statement drew the ire of players across the league, including several of his teammates, who reiterated that the protests are against police brutality and racial injustice, not the American flag.Following the backlash, Brees apologized twice on Thursday.The president tweeted Friday that Brees "should not have taken back his original stance."

Three-time Pro Bowl guard Kyle Long denied a rumor Friday that the New York Jets have spoken to him about coming out of retirement.The report came from the New York Daily News' Manish Mehta. When asked if there was any truth to it, Long told Rick Tarsitano of WGN TV News, "No. None."Long walked away from the NFL in January, citing injury struggles, after a seven-year career with the Chicago Bears. The Bears declined his contract option for 2020 after he announced his retirement, making him a free agent.Last year, the Jets lured center Ryan Kalil out of retirement. He went on to start seven games in an injury-plagued season.The Jets prioritized offensive line upgrades after struggling up front in 2019 and are already projected to have three new starters in 2020.Jets' O-lineLTLGCRGRT2019*Kelvin BeachumAlex LewisJonotthan HarrisonBrian WintersBrandon Shell2020Mekhi BectonAlex LewisConnor McGovernBrian WintersGeorge Fant*Based on most games startedLong, 31, played in only four games last year because of a hip injury. He's spent time on injured reserve in every season since 2016.The Jets still have over $24 million in space under the salary cap, but the team is reportedly operating on a smaller budget imposed by ownership.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.I have a strange feeling the Cincinnati Bengals' offense could have a breakout 2020.Unlike most of the NFL's other rebuilding clubs, the Bengals have the potential to be fun. Quarterback and No. 1 overall pick Joe Burrow heads to Cincinnati to revamp a lifeless franchise that still, somehow, has a boatload of offensive potential.Here, we'll dive into the top Bengals player props for 2020.Joe Burrow - O/U 22.5 passing touchdownsI'm not exactly sure what Burrow's projected touchdown total was in his final season at LSU, but it's safe to say he crushed it. Burrow tossed 60 touchdowns en route to the Heisman. His total for the upcoming season is 22.5, which is a pretty fair number on the surface. But here's why I like the over.Last season, 15 NFL quarterbacks posted at least 23 touchdown passes. Some of the names on the list - or in the vicinity - will surprise you.Daniel Jones, who started only 12 games, amassed 24 touchdown passes; Ryan Tannehill recorded 22 in just 10 starts; even rookie Gardner Minshew, who piloted the league's No. 24 DVOA offense, put up 21 in 12 starts.Upside's been the name of the game for Cincinnati. But despite a skill corps of A.J. Green, Tyler Boyd, Joe Mixon, and Auden Tate, among others, the Bengals have been stuck in the mud.However, that skill corps gives Burrow an immediate foundation. The only question is when will it all come together?Green just needs to stay healthy and play a full season, or close to it. Younger receivers like Boyd (25) and Tate (23) have to take on larger roles and perform more consistently, preferably when Cincinnati's not trailing by double digits. The Bengals also desperately need to see more of the 2018 version of Mixon (4.9 yards per carry, eight rushing touchdowns) instead of the 2019 model (4.1, five).The schedule should do Burrow some favors. Despite drawing both Pittsburgh (No. 3 in DVOA defense last season) and Baltimore (No. 4) twice, Cincinnati faces 10 teams that were in the back half of the league in DVOA pass defense last year.Regardless of whether the Bengals take the next step offensively or Burrow puts up his numbers during garbage time, this total's certainly worth a look.Pick: OverAuden TateThere aren't any props available for Tate, but if they pop up at any time before the start of the season, he's an extremely underrated wide receiver to buy low on.So far, we've highlighted some pass-catchers in our prop series who were unlucky in 2019, namely Odell Beckham Jr., Mike Gesicki, and Breshad Perriman. Tate isn't a household name - he caught 40 passes over 12 games last season - so it might surprise you to see him mentioned as a positive regression candidate.He saw 80 targets in 2019, more than the likes of JuJu Smith-Schuster, Ezekiel Elliott, Saquon Barkley, and Le'Veon Bell. However, Cincinnati quarterbacks couldn't get the ball to him.Tate owned a 46% uncatchable target rate, behind only Perriman and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Essentially, almost half the balls thrown Tate's way in 2019 were deemed uncatchable. Fellow Bengals receiver Alex Erickson wasn't too far behind at 42%, which spoke volumes about the team's pressing need at quarterback.Burrow could be the answer. Hopefully, his career starts with 23-plus touchdowns, with a couple thrown to Tate.Alex Kolodziej is a betting writer for theScore. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 12 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AJKolodziej.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Defensive tackle Cameron Heyward has enjoyed his stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but he accepts he may have to move on if both sides can't agree on a contract extension."I hate talking about it in the past tense like I am already gone, but I have to be ready for the reality if that comes about," Heyward said Wednesday, according to Mark Kaboly of The Athletic. "I love being a Pittsburgh Steeler, but if my time is up, my time is up."Heyward signed a six-year, $59.2-million extension with the Steelers in 2015. The 31-year-old is now entering the last year of his current deal, and despite the possibility of the star defensive lineman becoming a free agent in 2021, Heyward says there haven't been any recent discussions about a new contract."We have talked about it (prior), but things happen," he said. "We haven't had any talks as of late, and it may be due to the virus, I don't know. I don't know if their minds have changed. I understand their policy and respect their policy. If I have to play this year and go into next year as a free agent, then so be it. That's not going to deter me from being the best teammate, the best person, the best player I can be."The Steelers have a history of not inking contract extensions with the season underway, which means both parties have until Sept. 14 to agree on a new pact. Pittsburgh faces the New York Giants in its regular-season opener that night."I think everything got halted a little bit with the virus, and everybody pressed on the brakes," Heyward said. "But I have understood their policies in the past about not going forward during the season. We are living in a time that things are changing rapidly. I am just taking it day by day, and we will see what happens."The Steelers drafted Heyward in the first round in 2011. The Ohio State product immediately impressed as an elite run stopper and became one of the premier interior defensive linemen in football after improving his pass-rush production. The two-time All-Pro amassed 29 sacks in the last three seasons, four more sacks than he had in his first six campaigns combined.Hayward has made three consecutive Pro Bowl appearances.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Jacksonville Jaguars conducted an organization-wide march Friday from TIAA Bank Field to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office to raise awareness of racial injustice.

In a five-part series, theScore's football editors give a verdict on whether 2019 breakout players will continue their success in 2020.Up next are the tight ends.Categories