Peyton Manning has once again declined an opportunity to join ESPN's Monday Night Football broadcast crew, sources told Michael McCarthy of Sporting News.The former quarterback rejected the network last year before it settled on Jason Witten to join Joe Tessitore and Booger McFarland in the booth. Witten left ESPN after one season, ending his retirement to rejoin the Dallas Cowboys.Manning has been a hot commodity among broadcasting outlets since his retirement, but the 43-year-old has yet to bite on any offers.ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro and content chief Connor Schell reportedly flew to Denver in March to meet with the five-time MVP about commentating for Monday Night Football. However, the network didn't make him a formal offer after sensing his lack of interest in the gig, sources told McCarthy.Manning has instead opted to host a new ESPN+ series called "Peyton's Places," where he'll talk to former players, coaches, and other figures about the history of football and its cultural impact. He's also set to host the second season of his ESPN+ show "Detail," in which he breaks down film from NFL games throughout the season.The two-time Super Bowl winner retired after the 2015 campaign following a storied career with the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Buffalo Bills added some offensive depth by signing former Jacksonville Jaguars running back T.J. Yeldon to a two-year deal, the team announced Monday.Yeldon is coming off a 104-carry season in which he totaled 414 yards and a touchdown on the ground. The former Alabama standout did most of his damage through the air, snagging 55 catches for 487 yards and four touchdowns.Buffalo now has a running back room that includes LeSean McCoy, Frank Gore, and Yeldon.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

For New York Giants general manager Dave Gettleman, having the most talented players isn't the most vital aspect to winning a Super Bowl - it's developing a championship culture.Gettleman made arguably the most controversial move of the offseason when he traded All-Pro receiver Odell Beckham Jr. to the Cleveland Browns, and he also raised eyebrows by parting ways with longtime Giants defenders Landon Collins and Olivier Vernon.The GM defended his decisions in an interview Saturday with NJ.com's Steve Politi, saying that his detractors are "still missing" the overarching philosophy: "Players win games. Teams win championships.""There's more to it than just collecting talent," said Gettleman. "There is a cultural thing to it that's critical. I have not been on a team that’s gone to a Super Bowl that's had a culture problem."Asked if the Giants had one, a smiling Gettleman responded, "Not anymore."While Gettleman didn't explicitly mention who contributed to the problem, he made Beckham the NFL's highest-paid receiver just months before moving him for a deal centered around Cleveland's 2019 first-round pick.While few deny Beckham's talent, he made headlines for things other than his play, from punching a kicking net on the sideline and fighting Josh Norman to publicly discussing his issues with the offense and Eli Manning after New York's poor start to last season.After the trade, Beckham rejected reports that he was moved due to becoming a distraction.

The Kansas City Chiefs, Indianapolis Colts, and New York Jets are among the teams that have discussed a Frank Clark trade with the Seattle Seahawks, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Seattle is believed to be open to moving its star pass-rusher ahead of Thursday's draft, and is reportedly seeking at least a first-round pick in return.Clark notched a career-high 13 sacks last season, but his contract demands might be too pricey for the Seahawks. The 25-year-old has yet to sign his $17.1-million franchise tag for the 2019 campaign as he pursues a long-term deal.Kansas City is eyeing edge help after parting ways with Dee Ford and Justin Houston earlier this offseason amid a schematic switch to a 4-3 defense.Incidentally, Houston landed with the Colts, who still have ample space under the salary cap to sign Clark to a lucrative multi-year deal. The Jets also have plenty of cap room despite spending big in free agency.Seattle holds only four selections in the upcoming draft, the fewest of any team in the league.Clark, a former second-round pick, posted 32 sacks while forcing seven fumbles over the last three seasons.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After 11 memorable seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, Donovan McNabb arguably ended his carer as the top quarterback in franchise history.But for Carson Wentz to surpass him, McNabb says the 26-year-old pivot must be successful in the postseason and improve his durability. Otherwise, the team should move on and "possibly draft another quarterback.""I think in the next two years or so, (Wentz) needs to find a way to get out of the second round of the playoffs," McNabb said on The Zach Gelb Show, according to EJ Smith of the Philadelphia Inquirer."What Nick Foles was able to do, take them to a Super Bowl and then possibly take them back to the NFC Championship proves that, hey, some people can get into that offense and be very successful," he added.Wentz is rehabbing his second season-ending injury in as many years.A torn ACL and LCL cut his dominant 2017 season short, allowing Foles to lead the Eagles to their first Super Bowl win. Wentz returned in Week 3 this past season, but lingering back issues shelved him yet again with three games remaining.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After intending to retire following the 2018 season, veteran tight end Benjamin Watson is considering a return for a 16th campaign, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Saturday.The 38-year-old has yet to make a decision, but he might be open to returning under the right circumstances, Schefter adds.Watson spent the 2018 season with the New Orleans Saints, catching 35 passes for 400 yards and two touchdowns.The Super Bowl XXXIX champion was the New England Patriots' first-round pick in 2004. He's recorded 47 career touchdowns across 195 regular-season games and 12 playoff contests.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

If all 32 NFL teams had to pick one player to build a franchise around, Patrick Mahomes would almost certainly be the consensus selection after winning the MVP award in just his first season as a starter.That wasn't the case just two years ago, however, when the Kansas City Chiefs traded up to take the soon-to-be star quarterback. Mahomes wasn't even widely considered one of the best two passers in his class, and he had to watch nine other players - including quarterback Mitch Trubisky - get selected before him.But according to Mahomes' agent, Leigh Steinberg, the Chiefs had significant competition for his services, which motivated them to give up the significant haul of picks - No. 27, No. 91, and a 2018 first-rounder - to jump up ahead of a host of interested teams."The draft prognosticators are projecting things, and if you recall, they had anointed this trio of Trubisky, (Deshaun) Watson, and DeShone Kizer, and they were considered the top-round quarterbacks," Steinberg told ESPN's Adam Teicher. "At the beginning, they had Patrick at best a second-rounder."Everybody publicly was saying he was years away from being ready to play, but teams were communicating with us, and we were aware Kansas City liked him very much. We were also aware there were a number of other teams that liked him, teams like the Arizona Cardinals, the New York Giants, the New Orleans Saints, the Pittsburgh Steelers. There were teams that would try to make the move a year early to try to prepare their next starting QB."We're sitting there on the night of the draft, and there's communication going back and forth between teams and agents. It's not something you see, but we're on our phones talking with coaches and general managers. We were aware of certain teams that said they were trying to trade up. If Kansas City hadn't gone exactly where they went, he would have been gone. He would have been gone on the very next pick."Steinberg was likely correct, as the Saints owned the next pick. The Cardinals sat at 13th, the Giants 23rd, and the Steelers 30th.Then-Chiefs general manager John Dorsey, now in charge of the Cleveland Browns, revealed after the draft that he, too, felt Mahomes would be gone by No. 10 at the latest."I tried to read as much as I could, in terms of reading the other 31 teams and seeing where they were positioning," Dorsey said. "I felt to get this player, I had to be at 10."Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Seattle Seahawks are still considering trading defensive end Frank Clark, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Should the franchise-tagged defender be traded prior to Thursday's NFL draft, Seattle would be asking for at least a first-round pick, Schefter adds.Reports surfaced Friday that Clark was drawing interest from other clubs and that the Seahawks could be willing to move their top pass-rusher instead of handing over a big-money extension or risking a lengthy holdout.The 25-year-old has yet to sign his one-year, $17.1-million tender. The pass-rusher reportedly doesn't intend to show up for training camp without a new deal, though general manager John Schneider said Thursday that he expects Clark to report to the team.A second-round selection in 2015, Clark has established himself as one of the league's top pass-rushers with 22 sacks over the past two seasons.Seattle recently signed quarterback Russell Wilson to a four-year extension worth $140 million.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

While it's no secret the New York Giants are in the market for Eli Manning's eventual successor, the team is looking for its next franchise quarterback to possess a particular character trait.General manager Dave Gettleman is placing a lot of importance on a quarterback prospect's ability to handle adversity, believing it's just as important as his prowess on the field."Being the quarterback of a team in this kind of a market is a load, is a mental load," Gettleman said, according to Newsday's Tom Rock. "You've got to really vet out the backgrounds of these guys … It's more than just collecting data and looking at a guy's physical talent. It's about his makeup."Some of them you have to dig so deep to see where they had adversity, it's painful," he added. "Everybody has adversity. Everybody."Manning is expected to start the upcoming season but his decline in play in recent years has led critics to suggest the team should be searching for his eventual replacement. Even the 38-year-old believes the team will draft his successor early in the draft.The Giants currently possess two first-round picks in next week's draft - No. 6 and No. 17 overall - and could target a signal-caller early to ensure they select the top prospect on their board.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Johnny Manziel's name change may not be permanent.The former Cleveland Browns quarterback, who announced earlier this month that he's going by John now, told TMZ Sports he's "Johnny for life" while in Hollywood on Thursday night."Don't believe everything you hear," he said.Manziel was also asked if he'd be open to playing in the XFL, which is set to begin play in 2020."Any football," he replied. "Any football options."XFL commissioner Oliver Luck left the door open for Manziel to join the league during an appearance on the "PFT PM" podcast April 8."If he is able to meet our standards and if our coaches think he's one of the top quarterbacks out there that can help us," Luck said. "Certainly we have no reason not to believe he couldn't be in the mix. But again, it's really up to our coaches in terms of the quarterbacks they wanna take a look at."Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The top of the quarterback market has skyrocketed in recent years, and it could be pushed to new heights thanks to a host of young signal-callers who will soon need new contracts.Near the top of that group is Jared Goff, who has one year remaining on his rookie deal. The Los Angeles Rams are all but certain to exercise a $20-million-plus option in the former No. 1 pick's contract, giving the team a two-year window in which to decide when to extend him."Not on my mind at all," Goff said, according to Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times. "I know the deal and understand that I hired an agent for that reason, and things always work out. You continue to play well, it will work itself out."In addition to Goff, fellow up-and-coming pivots Dak Prescott, Carson Wentz, and Patrick Mahomes will likely all receive big-money extensions over the next few years.Prescott, as a former fourth-rounder, is only contracted through the 2019 season and therefore will presumably get paid first, which the Dallas Cowboys appear happy to do. Wentz will also likely have his fifth-year option exercised, while the Kansas City Chiefs reportedly will attempt to lock up the reigning NFL MVP to a record deal potentially worth $200 million in 2020.Goff, meanwhile, is reportedly unlikely to receive a new contract before the 2019 campaign.The 24-year-old rebounded spectacularly from an abysmal rookie season, throwing for 8,492 yards and 60 touchdowns over the last two seasons under the guidance of head coach Sean McVay.However, Goff wasn't at his best during the Rams' run to Super Bowl LIII. He threw just one touchdown, two interceptions, and completed 55.7 percent of his passes in three games, causing some to question if he's a product of McVay's system rather than a top-flight quarterback,Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Former Duke standout Daniel Jones' stock is rapidly rising ahead of the 2019 NFL Draft, and praise for the quarterback reached new levels Saturday.Hall of Fame executive Gil Brandt says the young passer evokes memories of legendary quarterback Peyton Manning. He also points out that Jones' head coach at Duke, David Cutcliffe, was Manning's quarterbacks coach while in college at Tennessee."I. Love. Dan Jones," Brandt said on Sirius XM NFL Radio, according to NJ.com's Ryan Dunleavy. "I have to say this carefully: When you watch him and you go back (20) years and watch Peyton Manning, you are watching the same guy. He’s athletic. He doesn’t have a rocket for an arm, but neither did Peyton. Very smart."Jones was considered a borderline first-rounder toward the start of the draft process but his hype has risen to the point where some believe he's the best quarterback prospect of the class.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Teddy Bridgewater grew up in the Miami neighborhood of Liberty City and has made a point to give back to the community since making it to the NFL.Bridgewater recently tweeted a series of photos from a toy drive he hosted last summer for kids in his old neighborhood.

The New York Jets traded up to No. 3 overall last year, and they appear willing to make another deal in 2019.The Jets seem "determined" to trade down from the third overall pick in next week's draft, sources told SNY's Ralph Vacchiano.General manager Mike Maccagnan's goal in a potential trade is to at least recoup the second-round pick his team gave up last year when the Jets made a deal with the Indianapolis Colts to move up from No. 6 overall to No. 3, a source told Vacchiano.New York, who was in the market to obtain a franchise quarterback last offseason, selected Sam Darnold with the acquired pick.Maccagnan previously stated he was willing to listen to offers for his team's first-rounder and even admitted he'd had conversations with other clubs regarding a possible deal at the NFL owners meetings.A number of high-quality defensive prospects - including Nick Bosa, Quinnen Williams, and Josh Allen - are expected to be in contention for the Jets' top selection if the team stays put.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Cornerback Jalen Ramsey responded Friday to Jacksonville Jaguars executive vice president of football operations Tom Coughlin, who expressed disappointment Thursday that the team didn't have full attendance for voluntary offseason conditioning programs.Ramsey and linebacker Telvin Smith were the only two absences.Ramsey's agent, David Mulugheta, tweeted that Ramsey was in his hometown of Nashville, training for the upcoming season.

The Seattle Seahawks concluded their most important business of the offseason by extending Russell Wilson, but the outcome of their other vital contract negotiation is still up in the air.Several teams around the league are reportedly interested in a potential trade for franchise-tagged defensive end Frank Clark, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Rapoport says it's a "possibility" the Seahawks opt to trade Clark instead of handing over a big-money extension or risking a lengthy holdout.The asking price could be a first-round pick, according to Rapoport.Clark has yet to sign his one-year, $17.1-million tender. The pass-rusher reportedly doesn't intend to show up for training camp without a new deal, though general manager John Schneider said Thursday that he expects Clark to report to the team.The 25-year-old established himself as one of the league's top pass-rushers with 22 sacks over the past two seasons.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Oakland Raiders general manager Mike Mayock and head coach Jon Gruden reportedly sent home their scouts Friday, and they're not expected to return before the draft begins Thursday, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Gruden and Mayock reportedly weren't sure which scouts to trust and wanted to clear the room, Rapoport added.High turnover in the team's scouting department was expected following the draft, reports Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer. The leaked news of the personnel changes reportedly led Oakland's front office to pre-emptively send scouts home.Mayock, a former NFL Network analyst, joined the Raiders at the end of the 2018 regular season. The Raiders didn't make any major changes to their scouting staff after Mayock came on board but, earlier this offseason, he acknowledged the possibility of revamping the department."They all know that they're being evaluated right now," Mayock said in January, according to NBC Sports' Scott Bair. "Look, the Oakland Raiders have been to one playoff game in 16 years. I think my original message to the scouts when I came in was to remember where we're starting. Let's not sugarcoat it. ..."These guys know they're on notice. There's a new GM in the building. I've built an awful lot of relationships over the years, and it's OK. I don't mind them being on edge a little bit."The Raiders own the No. 4, No. 24, and No. 27 picks in the draft.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

By the end of his time with the Los Angeles Rams, Jeff Fisher was the Internet's favorite punching bag.But now, the former NFL head coach has turned the tables.Fisher went on a social-media spree after shooting down a report that he was set to take over Houston's XFL team.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill and his fiancee, Crystal Espinal, have temporarily lost custody of their 3-year-old son amid an ongoing investigation into allegations of child abuse, sources told KCTV5's Angie Ricono and Emily Sinovic.Hill's child was reportedly placed in another home in early April, pending further court action.Authorities are investigating an alleged incidence of battery that occurred at the couple's home March 14 and involved a juvenile. Police also looked into a child abuse/neglect allegation from March 5 but declined to press charges.Hill's name was listed in the March 5 police report but not in the March 14 report. Espinal is the only person besides the juvenile listed in the latter. Neither Hill nor Espinal has been charged with a crime.Hill's attorney declined to comment before Hill's April 5 appearance in family court, which sources told KCTV5 was an emergency hearing. Hill was back in court Wednesday and did not respond to questions from KCTV5. He entered hand in hand with Espinal, who is pregnant with twins.The NFL asked for police records concerning the first investigation on March 12, according to a letter sent to the Overland Park Police Department that was obtained by the Kansas City Star's Kaitlyn Schwers and Brooke Pryor.The letter requested "all reports" regarding the situation and explained the league is evaluating any possible violations of the NFL's personal conduct policy. The league received a portion of the March 5 report, according to the Kansas City Star, but the police department told the NFL that the full report cannot be released without a court order because it concerns a child in need of care.Hill, 25, pleaded guilty to domestic battery after a 2014 incident in which he choked and punched Espinal, who was eight weeks pregnant with their son at the time.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Giants will be targeting the best possible players with their No. 6 and No. 17 overall picks in the 2019 NFL Draft, even though they may have positional needs on their roster."I'm just telling you: I'm not going to force a pick," general manager Dave Gettleman said Thursday, according to ESPN's Jordan Raanan. "You can't draft for need. You'll get screwed every time. You'll make a mistake."Eli Manning is expected to start the upcoming season, but his decline in play in recent years has led critics to suggest the team should be searching for his eventual replacement. Even the 38-year-old believes the team will draft his successor early in the draft.Without specifically naming players, Gettleman said he considered the draft's quarterback class to be "good" but reiterated he wouldn't regard the position group to be a "special category" that bypasses taking the best available player.Kyler Murray, Dwayne Haskins, Drew Lock, and Daniel Jones are all thought to be the top quarterback prospects in the draft. Although Murray is reportedly being targeted by the Arizona Cardinals who hold the first overall pick, the Giants seem likely to have the option of taking the second quarterback off the board on April 25."The priority is to select the best players," Gettleman said. "I know that sounds silly. But last year, again, we couldn't pass up on Saquon (Barkley). He was the best player in the draft. You can't do that."The Giants hold 12 picks in the draft this year, tied for the most with the New England Patriots.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

First-round picks get all the attention, but a number of prospects selected over the following six rounds will wind up having stellar NFL careers as well.Here are 10 under-the-radar prospects who could outperform their respective draft positions and develop into high-impact pros:Brett Rypien, QB, Boise State Rypien likely won't be selected until the third day of the draft, but he has the tools and traits to eventually start at quarterback in the NFL. The Boise State product doesn't possess exemplary measurables for the position, but he does offer ideal mechanics, accuracy on intermediate throws, and poise under pressure. Think Dak Prescott or Nick Mullens.Jerry Tillery, DL, Notre Dame Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyThe former Fighting Irish lineman has a fairly good chance of going late in the first round and could still exceed expectations thanks to his tantalizing upside. Tillery's overall play is inconsistent, but he's flashed dominance as an interior pass-rusher on multiple occasions. Put on the Stanford game and see the kind of player he could become.Devine Ozigbo, RB, Nebraska Ozigbo is rarely listed among the top running backs of the 2019 class, but don't be surprised if he outperforms a number of his peers in the pros. Standing 5-11, 233 lbs with lightning-quick feet, the productive ball carrier is elusive in the open field and an excellent short-yardage converter. He even improved his role as a receiver in each of the last three seasons.Diontae Johnson, WR, ToledoIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyThe 2019 receiver class is loaded, but that doesn't mean Johnson should get lost in the shuffle. The First-Team All-MAC wideout is an explosive and shifty route-runner who put up eye-popping stats at Toledo. Johnson has the ability to separate from cornerbacks consistently and is incredibly dynamic after the catch. He adds value as an electric return specialist as well.David Long, CB, Michigan Long lacks the size and frame of a top-50 selection, but he profiles as an excellent fit with teams that run multiple press-man coverages. The talented defensive back possesses intriguing short-area explosion and physicality at the line of scrimmage, making completions in his general area a difficult task. Long can be an instant success in the slot and has the look of a mid-round steal.Darwin Thompson, RB, Utah State Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyThompson may never be a bell-cow running back, but there's certainly a role for him in today's NFL. Similar to Tarik Cohen of the Chicago Bears, the former Aggies rusher is a threat to score on every play and is extremely elusive in the open field. Add that to his breakaway speed and pass-catching ability, and a number of offensive coordinators will surely bang the table for Thompson come draft week.Renell Wren, DL, Arizona State Wren is a project slated to go in the top 100 but he has the raw ability to develop into an All-Pro lineman. The interior rusher has rare off-the-snap explosion for a prospect and is already a stout run defender. Once Wren establishes a full repertoire of pass-rush moves, opposing blockers are in trouble.Justin Hollins, Edge, Oregon Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyLike many others on this list, Hollins lacks the size and frame to be a high draft selection, but he has the tools to significantly surpass expectations. The outside linebacker combines explosive athleticism with blazing speed rushes and a developed counter plan. In a league desperate to slow down elite quarterbacks, Hollins has high-impact potential.Jakobi Meyers, WR, NC State Meyers has a number of key traits scouts look for in a receiver prospect. He's a shifty route-runner, rarely drops passes, and has excellent body control. He isn't the most explosive pass-catcher, but he's one of the most experienced and productive slot weapons in this year's draft class. The former Wolfpack wideout is likely to exceed his draft position if his domination in the slot continues.Sheldrick Redwine, S, Miami Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyAny time the Hurricanes are on defense, it's difficult not to notice Redwine. The versatile safety always seems to be around the ball, whether it's delivering a jarring hit or snagging a key interception. Redwine has cornerback speed and linebacker physicality, and his zone-coverage prowess makes him an ideal fit for most NFL clubs. He's going to be a Day 3 steal.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

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Notice anything quirky about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 2019 schedule?

Josh Rosen shared his feelings regarding his uncertain future with the Arizona Cardinals in an interview with Sports Illustrated.The 2018 first-round draft pick has been the subject of rampant rumors this offseason as the Cardinals - owners of the first pick in this year's draft - reportedly have interest in Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Kyler Murray."It's annoying, but it is what it is. Football's a business, and I definitely respect the higher-ups and their decisions," Rosen said of the speculation.

Despite his trade request earlier this offseason, the Cleveland Browns have no plans to move running back Duke Johnson."When you sit down with (head coach) Freddie (Kitchens) and the coaching staff, they see him as a vital part of this offense moving forward," general manager John Dorsey told reporters Thursday. "He is a good playmaker."Johnson has wanted out of Cleveland since February when the Browns added another high-profile running back, Kareem Hunt, to their backfield. Hunt and second-year star Nick Chubb are expected to share duties in 2019, though the former will miss the first eight games of the campaign due to suspension.The 25-year-old Johnson received just 40 carries last season but was valuable in the passing game for the fourth straight year. He's been one of the most reliable pass-catching running backs in the league since Cleveland drafted him in 2015."He understands the role that he is going to play within this offense," Dorsey said. "That is what is important, because Duke - as everybody knows - is a very talented playmaker, and I look forward to seeing him on the field on Sundays."The Philadelphia Eagles, Houston Texans, and New York Jets were all reported to be interested in Johnson at various points this offseason.Johnson didn't join the Browns for the beginning of voluntary workouts. Dorsey said he hasn't spoken to Johnson or his representatives about whether he'll report to the team for mandatory minicamp in early June.In 16 games last season, Johnson rushed for 201 yards and caught 47 passes for 429 yards and three touchdowns.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

For Tom Coughlin, voluntary offseason conditioning programs are anything but.On Thursday, the Jacksonville Jaguars' executive vice president of football operations expressed his disappointment that the team didn't have full attendance for workouts. He didn't specifically name the only two players who weren't with their teammates - cornerback Jalen Ramsey and linebacker Telvin Smith."We're very close to 100 percent attendance, and quite frankly, our players should be here building the concept of team, working hard side by side, constructing our bond of togetherness, formulating our collective priorities and goals," Coughlin said, according to ESPN's Michael DiRocco. "Success in the NFL demands struggle. Those who have everything given to them become lazy, selfish, and insensitive to the real values of team. The hard work that many try to avoid is the major building block for the development of an outstanding football team."It's not about rights and privileges. It's about obligations and responsibility, and the question is: Can we count on you?"Coughlin's comments drew a quick response from NFL Players Association president Eric Winston, who hinted that the union could take action against the Jaguars for violating the collective bargaining agreement."Our CBA definition of voluntary is the same as the actual definition of voluntary and prohibits anyone from threatening players to participate in voluntary workouts," Winston said in a statement to Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio. "This is precisely the reason players negotiated strict work rules and bright lines when it comes to offseason activities. We know, from experience, that not all coaches and executives will adhere to them and we always pursue any violations to protect our rules."During his 12-year stint as New York Giants head coach, Coughlin earned a reputation as a stickler for punctuality. He had all the clocks in the Giants' facility set five minutes fast, which was affectionately referred to as "Tom Coughlin time."It's the second straight year that Ramsey has missed this portion of the offseason. Smith, however, was a surprise absentee after attending every year since he entered the league in 2014.The Jaguars apparently remain in the dark about the two players' intentions for mandatory minicamp in mid-June. On Tuesday, coach Doug Marrone said that neither player had responded to his attempts to reach out.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Atlanta Falcons could finalize a new contract with Pro Bowl wide receiver Julio Jones in the next few weeks, according to The Athletic's Jeff Schultz.Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff told reporters Thursday he's had conversations with Jones' camp about a new deal but stopped short of offering a timeline for when he expects an agreement to be struck, according to ESPN's Vaughn McClure.Jones has been seeking a new contract since last spring. He was on the verge of holding out until Atlanta increased his salary before training camp and assured him it would renegotiate his contract after the campaign.The 30-year-old was a Pro Bowler for the sixth time in 2018 after posting 113 receptions for 1,677 yards and eight touchdowns.Jones has two years and $21 million left on his existing contract, but none of his remaining salary is guaranteed.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Frank Sinatra once sang about flying to the moon, which is where the Oakland Raiders may feel they've gone by the end of the 2019 season.The Silver and Black will travel approximately 35,308 miles over the course of the schedule, covering more distance than any team in the NFL. By contrast, the New York Jets will log about 6,794 miles, the fewest in the league.Along with the Raiders, four other west coast teams face the most exhausting travel schedules.NFL schedules by distanceRankTeamDistance (miles)1Raiders353082Rams330723Chargers282034Seahawks27540549ers255696Buccaneers245717Jaguars227538Panthers220909Cardinals2187010Texans2156911Bengals2038112Cowboys1826913Dolphins1755814Bears1732815Ravens1550016Steelers1514017Broncos1445018Chiefs1431319Saints1427520Lions1369921Falcons1364222Browns1343423Packers1305424Vikings1275325Colts1193626Titans1081927Eagles1035228Patriots1013329Redskins938830Bills858831Giants806332Jets6794The NFL unveiled schedules for all 32 teams Wednesday evening.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Washington Redskins and rising defensive lineman Matt Ioannidis agreed to a three-year contract extension worth a base value of $21.75 million, a source told Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.The deal reportedly includes an additional $3 million in incentives. It also contains $14 million guaranteed, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Ioannidis, a former fifth-round pick, was set to enter the final year of his rookie pact. The 25-year-old racked up 31 tackles and 7.5 sacks last year, sending his stock upward.Washington has invested heavily in its defensive line over the last couple of years, using first-round picks on Jonathan Allen and Da'Ron Payne, respectively, in back-to-back drafts.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Quarterbacks are a staple of the first round of the NFL draft, and the number of pivots selected among the first 32 picks rarely fluctuates year to year. Sixteen of the last 17 drafts have featured two-to-five quarterbacks hear their name called on Day 1.The lone outlier, 2013, saw only one - EJ Manuel - drafted in the first round. As you'd expect, no quarterback from the paltry 2013 class will be a starter this fall.Generally, there are always more than a couple of teams in need of a quarterback heading into draft week, so being the third-best signal-caller in a class will often get you a handshake with the commissioner on the first day.Which brings us to 2019. The Arizona Cardinals, who picked quarterback Josh Rosen with the 10th selection just a year ago, appear destined to take Oklahoma's Kyler Murray with the first overall pick. Behind them, a number of teams need to find their QB of the future: the New York Giants, Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins, and Washington Redskins are just a few.That's why there were four quarterbacks projected in the top 17 in theScore's mock draft 5.0. Murray, Ohio State's Dwayne Haskins, Missouri's Drew Lock, and Duke's Daniel Jones may all come off the board on April 25.Jonathan Bachman / Getty ImagesPerhaps, though, those teams should wonder whether it's better to wait a year.Murray and Haskins - despite spending only one full season apiece as the starting quarterback for their respective schools - look to be bona fide first-round picks. Murray's speed is unrivaled, and he was the best player in college football in 2018. Haskins completed 70 percent of his passes while averaging 9.1 yards per attempt.Lock improved as a senior, as he completed 62.9 percent of his passes after finishing sub-60 percent in each of his first three years of college.Of the 27 quarterbacks drafted in the first round since 2010, only three had career completion percentages below 60 percent: Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson (2018), and Jake Locker (2011).Jones was also below 60 percent for his career at Duke (59.9). And though the 6-foot-5, 221-pound quarterback also improved as a senior, he did it without creating many big plays. Jones' 6.8 yards per attempt ranked tied for 81st among qualified FBS quarterbacks, and his 14 completed passes of 30 or more yards were tied for 68th.Allen, Locker, Blaine Gabbert, and Christian Ponder were the only ones among those 27 QBs to average 6.8 yards per attempt or fewer as a senior.There's another reason why it might be worth waiting one more year for your quarterback of the future: the 2020 draft has the potential to be loaded.Five quarterbacks who could be worth the waitJoel Auerbach / Getty ImagesTua Tagovailoa, AlabamaThe favorite to win the 2019 Heisman Trophy is also the best quarterback prospect Alabama has had under Nick Saban. The 6-foot-1, 218-pound Tagovailoa was incredibly efficient as a sophomore, as he completed 69 percent of his passes and averaged a touchdown every 8.3 attempts. He has a big arm and led the nation in completed passes of 40-plus and 50-plus yards.Icon Sportswire / GettyJake Fromm, GeorgiaAs a 19-year-old, Fromm led Georgia to the national championship game. Last season, he improved as a passer in nearly every statistical category. Among SEC quarterbacks in conference play, he ranked second in passer rating, completion percentage, and yards per attempt. Fromm, 6-foot-2 and 220 lbs, looks as though he'll be the first Georgia quarterback since Matthew Stafford to be taken in the first round.Icon Sportswire / GettyJustin Herbert, OregonHerbert had an opportunity to go pro this year but decided to return for his senior season. He will have a chance to improve on the 59.4 percent completion rate he posted in 2018. The 6-foot-6, 233-pound prospect was an under-the-radar hometown recruit from Eugene who will have experience on his side (in addition to size) during next year's draft process. If he stays healthy, he'll finish his Ducks career as a four-year starter.Abbie Parr / Getty ImagesK.J. Costello, StanfordThe 6-foot-5, 215-pound Costello blossomed as a junior. He completed 65.1 percent of his throws, passed for 3,540 yards, and ranked 11th nationally with 8.6 yards per attempt. Costello is a fairly typical pocket passer. If he plays his way into the first round, he'd be the first Cardinal quarterback taken that early since Andrew Luck.Kevin C. Cox / Getty ImagesJalen Hurts, OklahomaWhy not? In two years as head coach, Lincoln Riley has mentored first-round quarterbacks Baker Mayfield and Murray. Now, he will work with Hurts, who transferred from Alabama. At 6-foot-2 and 219 lbs, Hurts is the biggest quarterback to play for Riley with the Sooners. He threw only one interception in 254 attempts in 2017, which was his last year as a starting quarterback. It's hard to believe he won't thrive in the Sooners' system.Mark Cooper (@mark_cooperjr) is theScore's NCAA writer.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Heading into the 2019 NFL Draft, it's apparent the New York Giants, Miami Dolphins, and Washington Redskins are each in need of a quarterback. However, they may not be the only teams that draft one on April 25.Here's a look at five teams that could surprise with a first-round quarterback selection.New England PatriotsIt's not plausible that the Patriots would push Tom Brady out the door before he's ready to leave after another Super Bowl win. However, they may look to acquire the 41-year-old's eventual successor, as New England won't be handing the franchise over to 33-year-old backup Brian Hoyer.New England could look to replicate its success molding prospects like Jimmy Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett - who were both taken in the first three rounds - by drafting a QB that can learn from Brady while he continues to lead the team. Also, with six picks in the first three rounds, the Patriots could trade up and select Brady's successor if the right player catches their eye.Oakland RaidersDespite struggling in 2018, Derek Carr has received the backing of both Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden and seems to be hitting it off with his new star receiver Antonio Brown.However, the Raiders - who hold three first-round picks, including the No. 4 overall selection - could be keeping up appearances as they await draft day. Gruden has praised both Kyler Murray and Dwayne Haskins and is reportedly "very interested" in Murray in particular.Considering Oakland's heavy draft capital, the Raiders could walk away with a high-end QB prospect.Los Angeles ChargersPhilip Rivers had an MVP-caliber campaign last year, throwing for 4,308 yards, 32 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, but he's 37. The franchise may look to prepare for the future by grooming a quarterback now. Current backup Tyrod Taylor will hit 30 before the upcoming season starts and isn't much more than an insurance policy.The Chargers are in a win-now mentality, so a first-round pick could be better used elsewhere, but they would have to think about scooping up a top quarterback talent if one slides all the way to No. 28 overall.Tennessee TitansMarcus Mariota has dealt with injuries throughout his four NFL seasons. His numbers have also dropped since he set several career highs in 2016, including a disappointing 2018 in which he posted only 2,528 passing yards and 11 touchdowns in 13 starts.The Oregon product has yet to deliver as a former No. 2 overall pick and is entering the final year of his contract. The door is open for the Titans to select a QB and move on from their injury-prone pivot if he struggles again in 2019.Cincinnati BengalsAndy Dalton has made the postseason four times in his eight seasons with the Bengals, but his 0-4 playoff record shows that the 31-year-old is not the right long-term quarterback to lead the team.With an all-new coaching staff coming from external organizations, the Bengals could continue on their path of reinvention by targeting a prospect worthy of building a future around. Cincinnati owns the No. 11 pick, putting the franchise in prime position to grab a top talent.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Russell Wilson signed a new four-year extension with the Seattle Seahawks this week, but he plans to remain with the team much longer than that."I want to be a Seahawk for life," the quarterback said at a press conference Wednesday."The guys that I've always admired in sports, the guys that played at those locations for 15-20 years. Guys like Derek Jeter. I want to be like that. I want to be remembered in that sense."Wilson instituted an April 15 deadline to get a new deal done so he could focus solely on football. He said his agent informed him at 11:15 p.m. on Monday that it was safe to go to sleep, only to receive a phone call at 11:52 p.m. confirming the deal was done.The Seahawks had no problem honoring their franchise quarterback's request for a no-trade clause."We want him to be here for life," general manager John Schneider said.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find positional rankings, additional analysis, and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.With the NFL releasing its regular-season schedule on Wednesday night, we can begin to infuse that data into our 2019 fantasy projections.Injuries can have a major impact on the latter stages of the campaign, but focusing on the first few weeks can give you an advantage, opening the door for you to draft players set up for hot starts or to avoid those destined to struggle against an unusually tough streak of opponents. Players with difficult schedules in the early going are prime trade targets after the first few weeks when owners begin to question their value.After the NFL draft, we'll be publishing a detailed fantasy strength-of-schedule matrix for the entire season, but for now, let's take a quick look at the teams with the best and worst early-season slates.BestBuffalo BillsWeekOpponent1at NYJ2at NYG3vs. CIN4vs. NEIf recent best-ball drafts are any indication, investing in the Buffalo's offense won't be an expensive endeavor since LeSean McCoy is the only Bill being drafted in the first 10 rounds. Fantasy owners might want to give extra thought to selecting upside players like Josh Allen, John Brown, or Robert Foster, especially since all four of the Bills' September opponents finished in the bottom third of the league in passing yards allowed in 2018.Dallas CowboysWeekOpponent1vs. NYG2at WAS3vs. MIA4at NOIt's tough for a team to make the "best" list when they have a defense as strong as the Saints' coming up in Week 4. That just goes to show you how easy the Cowboys' first three games appear. Ezekiel Elliott is going to run through the Giants, Redskins, and Dolphins, who were amongst the worst clubs in Football Outsiders' run defense DVOA last year. Any improvements the Redskins make with the additions of Reuben Foster and Landon Collins will be offset by the loses the Giants suffered, including Collins.New England PatriotsWeekOpponent1vs. PIT2at MIA3vs. NYJ4at BUFThe Patriots have feasted on their floundering rivals in the AFC East for years and they'll have a chance to begin their season with divisional matchups in three of their first four outings. With New England's lack of receiving weapons behind Julian Edelman, a big season is on the way for sophomore running back Sony Michel.WorstGreen Bay PackersWeekOpponent1at CHI2vs. MIN3vs. DEN4vs. PHIThe Packers get the luxury of three straight home games over this stretch; however, the defenses they'll face in the opening month are some of the most feared units in the league. Divisional battles with the Bears and Vikings are followed by a dangerous pass-rushing attack in the Broncos and a restocked Eagles squad. This doesn't mean you should shy away from Aaron Rodgers and Co., but their first few games under Matt LaFleur might be more challenging than some expect. Green Bay's skill position players will be high on the list of buy-low candidates after slogging through these four battles.Miami DolphinsWeekOpponent1vs. BAL2vs. NE3at DAL4vs. LACIn general, the AFC East teams have some of the easiest 16-game slates in the league, but that didn't prevent the Dolphins from being lined up against four playoff teams to open the year. The Ravens, Cowboys, and Chargers were among the top 10 in defensive DVOA for 2018 and Bill Belichick always gets the most out of his Patriots' defenders, who improved as the year went on to come in 16th. Fitzmagic can't save the Dolphins from this one.Houston TexansWeekOpponent1at NO2vs. JAX3at LAC4vs. CARThis a less-than-ideal way to kick things off for a Texans team boasting the talent to contend for a Super Bowl. The bigger worry needs to be the health of Deshaun Watson, my second-ranked fantasy quarterback for 2019, who will be forced to play behind a very weak offensive line that wasn't upgraded in free agency. Hopefully, Houston's front office can find help in the draft before it's too late. If not, Watson may drop a few spots in my next update with this early-season gauntlet looming.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

NFL teams wage battle on the field once or twice a week - and on social media every day of the year.The 32 clubs went head-to-head Wednesday to see who could produce the best schedule-release video.The 2019 title goes to the Atlanta Falcons for their Game of Thrones-inspired clip. Check out Week 10 at the 35-second mark.

The NFL released its 2019 schedule on Wednesday and the 17-week slate features a number of juicy matchups.The Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers kick things off Thursday, Sept. 5 and the New England Patriots open their title defense against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday Night Football in Week 1.The new-look Cleveland Browns are now prime-time fixtures; they're scheduled for four national broadcasts, their most since 2008. The Bears, Packers, Patriots, Steelers, Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota Vikings, and Philadelphia Eagles all received a league-high five prime-time games.

Prosecutors said Wednesday they intend to make public the video footage of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft paying for sexual interactions at a Florida day spa, according to John R. Ellement of the Boston Globe.Kraft and 24 other men were charged in February with soliciting prostitution for their activities at Orchids of Asia Spa in Jupiter, Fla. Kraft pleaded not guilty to his two misdemeanor charges, rejecting a plea deal in favor of a jury trial.Videos of the other individuals charged would be released with the Kraft footage, prosecutors said.Kraft has fought to keep the videos - which were obtained through police surveillance - private. A judge ruled Wednesday that prosecutors cannot release the videos until there's a hearing, according to ESPN's T.J. Quinn.In court documents, prosecutors said Florida law obligates them to release the footage.The spa's owner, Hua Zhang, and manager, Lei Wang, are being prosecuted, too. Both have pleaded not guilty to their charges and Wang asked a judge to block the release of any video while her case is pending.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Alliance of American Football filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy Wednesday."We are deeply disappointed to be taking this action," the league said in a statement obtained by Action Network's Darren Rovell. "The AAF was created to be a dynamic, developmental professional football league powered by an unprecedented alliance between players, fans, and the game. The AAF strove to create new opportunities for talented players, coaches, executives, and officials while providing an exciting experience for fans. We are proud of the fact that our teams and players delivered on that goal."The AAF suspended operations April 2 due to a lack of funds. The association attempted to turn itself into an NFL affiliate but encountered little cooperation from the NFL or NFL Players Association.

Here, theScore's Mike Alessandrini and Dan Wilkins break down the top prospects in the upcoming 2019 NFL Draft with position-by-position rankings and an overall Top 50 Big Board.Top 50

The New England Patriots will host the Pittsburgh Steelers in the season debut of Sunday Night Football on Sept. 8, according to Jeff Howe of The Athletic.The NFL had already selected the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers to open the 2019 regular-season schedule on Thursday, Sept. 5.In recent years, the league had reserved the Patriots-Steelers rivalry for the latter portion of the schedule, with playoff positions typically up for grabs in those matchups.The Kansas City Chiefs, New York Giants, and Cleveland Browns were also reportedly considered for the Week 1 tilt versus the defending Super Bowl champion Patriots.New England is expected to be featured in four other prime-time games in 2019.

When Tony Isabella looks at old photos of his eldest son, he notices things. For instance, in so many of those childhood photos, Andy Isabella is holding a football."Most kids sleep with stuffed animals when they're really little," Tony said. "Andy slept with a football and one stuffed animal. That football was with him all the time."These days, with Isabella less than two weeks away from becoming an NFL draft pick, those signs from his childhood are still everywhere in the family's Mayfield, Ohio, home just outside of Cleveland. They still have a binder full of Isabella's stick-figure drawings - early attempts to diagram football plays, his father said. And one day last week, Isabella and his mother, Susan, found school papers from when he was 8 years old.One, a questionnaire, asked: What is your dream job?To play in the NFL, the young Isabella wrote.What do you like to do?Football.That passion for the game has driven Isabella to where he stands now. At 5-foot-9, he's spent his entire football career fighting for respect. Overlooked by the majority of college programs four years ago, he turned an 11th-hour scholarship offer from UMass into a prolific career, capped by a 102-catch, 1,698-yard senior season in 2018 that earned him a place as a Biletnikoff Award finalist as one of the top three receivers in the country.Courtesy of Tony IsabellaNext, after running a 4.31-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, he's projected to be a second- or third-round pick in next week's draft."Isabella has the feet and fakes to uncover in a hallway closet, and the former high school sprint champion proved to Georgia that his ability to win deep should not be underestimated," draft analyst Lance Zierlein wrote for NFL.com. "Isabella could become a menace on option routes with the ability to add vertical routes from the slot, but he must improve his pass-catching consistency and smoothness into his breaks in order to transition all that speed to the NFL."There may be room for improvement, but that Isabella will be drafted at all is plenty impressive. He typically wasn't granted many opportunities each time he moved to the next step in his youth football career.For example, when he first began playing in the sixth grade, Isabella spent most of the year watching from the sideline.Late in that season, his dad asked one of the coaches, "Could you possibly just give him the ball one time? Make his year."Isabella promptly took a handoff to the outside and burst a run more than 60 yards downfield for a touchdown.Later, he joined the freshman team at Mayfield High School as a running back. However, another back transferred in and became the starter."They thought he was going to be the guy, so I was back on the bench and had to work my way to basically be the starter there," Isabella said. "He actually got hurt, and I came in and had a five-touchdown game the next game and then I started from there on out."Next, despite being a decorated track athlete - he once beat current Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward in a 100-meter race - Isabella wanted to play football in college.

Those hoping to see more of the Los Angeles Chargers' powder blue jerseys will get their wish.The Chargers announced Tuesday that the alternate outfit will be the team's primary uniform going forward.

Russell Wilson isn't going anywhere.After waiting until the 11th hour of negotiations ahead of his self-imposed deadline to sign a new long-term deal, the star quarterback and the Seattle Seahawks agreed on a four-year contract extension.It's worth $140 million and includes a $65-million signing bonus, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports, citing a source.The long-awaited megadeal, which sees Wilson surpass Aaron Rodgers as the NFL's highest-paid player at a new-money average of $35 million per season, keeps him under contract through the 2023 season. When added to his scheduled 2019 base salary of $17 million, the payday puts Wilson in line to earn $157 million over the next five years, including $107 million in total guarantees, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Wilson's contract, which was agreed upon after weeks of rumors about his future in Seattle, also reportedly includes a no-trade clause.The April 15 deadline, Wilson's reported unwillingness to negotiate beyond that date, and rumblings that the Seahawks suspected he actually wanted to play elsewhere all contributed to speculation about another team - namely the quarterback-needy New York Giants - potentially swooping in for a trade leading up to this year's draft.Instead, Seattle can now continue to build around one of the game's premier signal-callers.A third-round pick in the 2012 draft, Wilson has started every game for the Seahawks over the last seven seasons. He's qualified for the postseason in all but one year and led Seattle to its first-ever Super Bowl title after the 2013 campaign.The five-time Pro Bowler is still just 30 years old, and if his 2018 season is any indication, the Seahawks are locking up a quarterback who may just be entering his prime as a passer. While leading Seattle to a 10-6 record and a surprise playoff berth after the deconstruction of its once-vaunted defense, Wilson completed 65.6 percent of his passes for 3,448 yards, a career-high 35 touchdowns, and just seven interceptions.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find positional rankings, additional analysis, and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.Welcome to theScore Fantasy Football Podcast, hosted by Justin Boone.Find the show on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, and Anchor.In this episode, Boone is joined by theScore's Dan Wilkins and Mike Alessandrini as they break down every fantasy-relevant wide receiver and tight end prospect in this year's NFL draft.Topics include:

The New England Patriots signed wide receiver Demaryius Thomas on Tuesday, the club announced.A source told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network that the deal is for one year and worth up to $6 million.The move reunites Thomas with offensive coordinator and former Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels. The wideout was drafted by McDaniels and played for him in Denver in 2010.Thomas has since been to five Pro Bowls and won a Super Bowl, though he's coming off a torn Achilles and pleaded guilty in March to a careless driving charge.He finished last season with the Texans after a trade-deadline deal sent him to Houston from Denver. In 15 games split between the two clubs, he posted 59 receptions for 677 yards and five touchdowns.The Patriots have spent the offseason scouring the free-agent and trade markets in search of receiver help. Julian Edelman is the only established pass-catcher set to return from last year's championship team.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Chicago Bears tight end Zach Miller, who hasn't played since suffering a gruesome knee injury in 2017, retired Tuesday."The time has come to move on from playing the game of football," Miller wrote on Instagram. "It has been an incredible journey for myself and my entire family and we can't thank you enough for your continued support. I would love nothing more than to step onto Soldier Field one last time, but physically I cannot give the game and our fans what they deserve. It's difficult to find the words to express my love and gratitude to every single person that has cheered my name, lifted me up and stood strong with me throughout my career. I am forever grateful."The tight end dislocated his left knee and tore his popliteal artery on Oct. 29, 2017, against the New Orleans Saints. He underwent numerous surgeries and was at risk of amputation, though doctors managed to save his leg.Miller played for the Bears from 2014 to 2017. He was with the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2009 until 2012 and spent an offseason with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2013.The 34-year-old established career highs in receptions (47) and receiving yards (486) in 2016 with Chicago. He maxed out at five touchdowns in 2015.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has remained quiet this offseason, even while former teammates Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell called him out for the way he treated them.The 37-year-old was present for the start of the voluntary offseason program and reiterated his commitment to the team on Tuesday."I expect nothing else," Roethlisberger said of the high turnout from both younger players and veterans, according to Steelers' team writer Teresa Varley. "We want to show we are here, dedicated to this team, dedicated to having a great season. We are all about each other."In addition to Brown and Bell, the Steelers also lost Marcus Gilbert, Morgan Burnett, and Jesse James.It reportedly was Roethlisberger's comments on his radio show that caused a rift between him and Brown this past season, which led to the receiver missing Pittsburgh's crucial Week 17 contest.Bell, who joined the New York Jets, said Roethlisberger contributed to the running back's decision to leave the team.Although the quarterback may be without two of his biggest offensive weapons this upcoming season, he doesn't appear to be missing anything while taking his first practice reps of the offseason."It's fun to be here first and foremost," he said. "It's fun to be out there throwing with the guys. I haven't thrown a football since the last game of the year, so to be able to get out and get some work with new guys, and guys who have been here, it's fun first."Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Arizona Cardinals haven't determined what they will do with the No. 1 overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft in nine days, general manager Steve Keim said Tuesday."We are not done with this process," he told reporters, as relayed by NFL.com. "We have not made a decision on the No. 1 overall pick."For weeks, the rumor mill has been filled with speculation that the Cardinals have zeroed in on Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray with the top selection. New Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury is known to be an avid fan of Murray.Arizona traded up to the 10th pick last year to select UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen, but he struggled throughout his rookie campaign.Murray and Ohio State defensive end Nick Bosa are widely considered to be the two top candidates to go No. 1 overall on April 25 if the Cardinals don't trade the selection.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

General manager Jason Licht did little Tuesday to dispel speculation that defensive tackle Gerald McCoy has played his final game with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers."I talked about Gerald at the combine," Licht told reporters. "I talked about him, answered some questions at the owners' meetings, and there really hasn't been any developments."McCoy's status with the Buccaneers has been in flux ever since Tampa ushered in a 3-4 defense with the arrival of its new coaching staff. McCoy, a six-time Pro Bowler, has spent the bulk of his career in 4-3 sets.McCoy hasn't exactly been welcomed back to the team with open arms by new head coach Bruce Arians. The first-year boss previously questioned McCoy's recent effectiveness, and also told the veteran not to join the club for voluntary workouts.When asked why McCoy was told to stay home, Licht responded: "That you'd have to ask Bruce."McCoy is due $13 million in base salary in 2019, making him a candidate for trade or outright release. Licht wouldn't reveal whether he's asked the 31-year-old to take a pay cut."Any conversation we have with Gerald, I am going to keep private," he said.McCoy registered six sacks last year to go with 28 tackles. He's amassed six sacks or more in each of the past six campaigns.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

In January, the Oakland Athletics offered two-sport athlete Kyler Murray a contract worth $14 million in guaranteed cash, in addition to his signing bonus, to choose baseball, a source told Robert Klemko of Sports Illustrated.If Murray had taken the deal, he also would have been added to Oakland's 40-man roster.However, the Oklahoma product - who plays outfield but also won the Heisman Trophy as a quarterback last season - publicly spurned the A's in February while committing to professional football.Murray was selected ninth overall by the A's in the 2018 MLB Draft. Now, he may wind up being the first name off the board in the upcoming NFL draft, while various mocks have him going anywhere in the first half of the first round.Based on his commitment to football, Murray must also repay Oakland $1.29 million of the $1.5-million signing bonus he was given after being drafted, and forfeited the remaining $3.16 million in bonus money he was set to receive on March 1. The A's did not say whether Murray's bonus money has been returned, according to Klemko.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Jacksonville Jaguars won't discipline running back Leonard Fournette after he was arrested last week for driving with a suspended license, head coach Doug Marrone said Tuesday, according to ESPN's Michael DiRocco.Fournette could still face punishment from the NFL under its personal conduct policy.The 24-year-old ran for 439 yards and five touchdowns in eight games last season. He missed Jacksonville's other eight games due to injuries and a league-issued suspension for fighting during a contest versus the Buffalo Bills.The Jaguars selected Fournette fourth overall in 2017, and he eclipsed the 1,000-yard rushing mark as a rookie.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.