Los Angeles Chargers general manager Tom Telesco believes the recently launched Alliance of American Football can grow into a viable developmental league for the NFL."It's a great idea," Telesco told ESPN's Eric D. Williams. "It has the potential to be a nice complement to the NFL. It's a great spot for a developmental league for players, but even aside from that - coaches and front office, officiating, athletic trainers and video equipment people, public relations - all of that. So I think it's a great place where people can develop in every department of football operations."Every department that touches a football team can get some real-life experience."The AAF kicked off its first set of games a week after the Super Bowl. The teams' rosters featured plenty of former NFL players and ex-college stars.The league consists of eight teams including one in nearby San Diego and another in Tempe, Ariz., and the Chargers plan to take advantage."With San Diego close and Arizona pretty close, it will be pretty convenient for us (to scout)," Telesco said. "It's a place where young guys can go play."Telesco also pointed out the inherent advantages the AAF provides for players aspiring to make the NFL."No. 1, you get a chance to go play football and get paid for it, so that's nice," he said. "No. 2, you get great coaching. And No. 3, you get a chance to put tape together so the NFL can evaluate you again. Most of these guys we've seen before, but it gives them a chance to develop and learn, get better at their craft and get it on tape."Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The kickoff for the Alliance of American Football was met with unexpected buzz last weekend, drawing better ratings than the likes of the NBA. Although the AAF's charm is that the vast majority of the players aren't recognizable mainstream names, co-founder Bill Polian has tried to reel in arguably the two most famous quarterbacks outside the NFL: Colin Kaepernick and Tim Tebow.Kaepernick was approached to play in the AAF by the league's CEO, Charlie Ebersol, while Polian said he spoke personally to Tebow."I don't know what transpired, but he's obviously not playing," Polian said of Kaepernick to The Athletic's Lindsay Jones. He added that Tebow declined his offer.The former San Francisco 49ers quarterback wanted $20 million or more to consider playing in the AAF, a source told The Associated Press' Barry Wilner.AAF players earn salaries of $225,000 over three years, but they're eligible to pursue NFL opportunities beginning in May. However, players are obligated to return to the nascent league the next season if they're unable to catch on in the NFL.Kaepernick hasn't played in the NFL since opting out of his contract with the 49ers in March 2016, while Tebow is currently a member of the New York Mets after his football career fizzled out in 2015.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The executive director of the board that oversees the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum is "cautiously optimistic" that the venue will reach a one-year agreement with the Oakland Raiders.Scott McKibben, who also serves as the lead negotiator for the board, added that a lease could be ironed out within the next week."I am cautiously optimistic that I believe that we will get a deal done, yes," he told Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal.The Raiders are currently homeless after their previous contract with the Coliseum expired. Team owner Mark Davis has said he wants to keep the Raiders in Oakland for the 2019 season before moving to Las Vegas permanently in 2020."The next step for me is I will get back to the Raiders, and I will discuss with (Raiders president) Marc (Badain) what exactly we discussed," McKibben added after Friday's board meeting."Like any other deal or negotiation, we will hammer down to the shorthairs. If we reach a complete and full agreement, then we'll move forward, do a contract, and at that time, we would have a meeting ... where we call (members) back for a formal approval."The Raiders have played in the Coliseum since 1995. Their stadium in Las Vegas won't be ready to house the team until 2020, so a premature move is out of the question.The club has also looked into the possibility of sharing Levi's Stadium in nearby Santa Clara with the San Francisco 49ers during 2019, and examined other regional sites in case it can't strike a deal with the Coliseum.Tensions between the Raiders and Oakland escalated in December when the city filed a federal antitrust lawsuit against the franchise over its pending departure to Sin City.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Boston native Ben Affleck has gone to interesting lengths to turn son Samuel into a New England Patriots fan, but he hasn't had much luck convincing the 6-year-old to switch allegiances yet.During an appearance on Thursday night's episode of "Jimmy Kimmel Live," Affleck said he's experienced an "existential crisis" over his Angeleno son's lack of interest in Boston sports. That crisis led Affleck to redecorate his son's bedroom to include a giant football-shaped slide, a Tom Brady mural, and a chair shaped like Brady's head.Affleck also honored Brady by having the quarterback's jersey number stitched on the back of his Batman cape."That's Brady’s number," Affleck said. "You can't be a hero unless you wear No. 12."Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Colin Kaepernick and Eric Reid have resolved their collusion grievances with the NFL and will not continue to pursue their lawsuits.The settlements were announced in a joint statement, though terms weren't revealed due to a confidentiality agreement:

Antonio Brown will grant a meeting with Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II to discuss his reported trade request from earlier this week, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.It was initially reported that Brown was refusing to meet with team ownership, but that Rooney hopes to clear the air between the two parties.Brown's future with the organization has been in question ever since he was benched for the regular-season finale after skipping practice. His discontent reportedly began over a dispute with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.The receiver then tweeted out a video on Tuesday with a caption that thanked SteelerNation and stated it's "time to move on."The seven-time Pro Bowler remains under contract for the next three years and carries a cap hit of more than $22 million for 2019. Trading Brown by March 17 would leave the Steelers with $21.12 million in dead cap space, and that number would rise to $23.62 million if he's dealt afterward due to a $2.5-million roster bonus, according to ESPN's Field Yates.The Steelers have said they'll consider trade offers for Brown, but that they won't release him.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Disgruntled wide receiver Antonio Brown has no plans to meet with Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II despite the latter's hope to engage in dialogue and clear the air, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Brown reportedly requested a trade from Pittsburgh earlier this week. He also tweeted a video with a caption that thanked SteelerNation and stated it's "time to move on."The 30-year-old receiver is under contract for the next three years and carries a cap hit of more than $22 million for 2019. Trading Brown by March 17 would leave the Steelers with a $21.12-million dead cap hit, and that number would rise to $23.62 million if he's traded afterward due to a $2.5-million roster bonus, according to ESPN's Field Yates.The Steelers have said they'll consider trade offers for Brown, but that they won't release him.The player and organization have been at odds since Brown was benched for the 2018 season finale after skipping practices and not communicating with the coaching staff following a dispute that reportedly involved quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The kickoff for the Alliance of American Football was met with unexpected buzz last weekend, drawing better ratings than the likes of the NBA. Although the AAF's charm is that the vast majority of the players aren't recognizable mainstream names, co-founder Bill Polian has tried to reel in arguably the two most famous quarterbacks outside the NFL: Colin Kaepernick and Tim Tebow.Kaepernick was approached to play in the AAF by the league's CEO, Charlie Ebersol, while Polian said he spoke personally to Tebow."I don't know what transpired, but he's obviously not playing," Polian said of Kaepernick to The Athletic's Lindsay Jones. He added that Tebow declined his offer.The former San Francisco 49ers quarterback wanted $20 million or more to consider playing in the AAF, a source told The Associated Press' Barry Wilner.AAF players earn salaries of $225,000 over three years, but they're eligible to pursue NFL opportunities beginning in May. However, players are obligated to return to the nascent league the next season if they're unable to catch on in the NFL.Kaepernick hasn't played in the NFL since opting out of his contract with the 49ers in March 2016, while Tebow is currently a member of the New York Mets after his football career fizzled out in 2015.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With Joe Flacco reportedly heading to the Denver Broncos, Nick Foles may be the top quarterback available this offseason.While Foles is expected to have his fair share of suitors, there is mutual interest between the pivot and the Jacksonville Jaguars, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reports.Foles voided his 2019 option in an effort to become a free agent but the Philadelphia Eagles could still place their franchise tag on the veteran passer with the intention of trading him.Foles is unlikely to return to the Eagles as a backup, sources told NJ.com's Zack Rosenblatt.The Super Bowl LII MVP may be more interested in Jacksonville than other teams vying for his services, Garafolo adds, due to the Jaguars' talented roster.Denver reportedly considered adding Foles but set its sights on Flacco instead. The Broncos will acquire the longtime Baltimore Raven after agreeing in principle to a trade Wednesday.Whether through free agency or trade, the 30-year-old Foles is fully expected to have a new home this upcoming season.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Atlanta-area businessman who's accused of scamming nearly a dozen people - including his own mother - out of almost $1 million with fake Super Bowl tickets has been arrested in California.Investigators tracked Ketan Shah, who'd been reported missing by his wife, to Florida, Alabama, Oklahoma, and Las Vegas, but couldn't catch up to him, according to Jeff Lasky of ABC10 News in San Diego. Shah was eventually apprehended after being recognized by a teenage employee at Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, Calif.David Halliday, who works at a spa concierge at the resort, said Shah was being difficult and demanding service ahead of other customers."He came in with his girlfriend," Halliday, 19, said. "Just from the offset, he seemed a bit different from the usual guests we have in the spa."Halliday also found it strange that Shah paid with cash, and decided to search his name online. After seeing stories about the ticket scam, Halliday called security, who then alerted the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver isn't considering leaving his current position to become the commissioner of the NFL following reported interest from several NFL owners."I'll just say I have not given it any thought," Silver told ESPN's Ramona Shelburne. "I feel very fortunate to be in this position. As a longtime fan, as a longtime league employee, the opportunity to become the commissioner of this league was beyond anything I even ever dreamed of as a kid."I've loved every day I've been in this job, and I think there's nothing but enormous opportunity ahead for this league. And ultimately, I realize I'm just passing through like every player who's gone through this league and ultimately like every owner, and I feel an enormous obligation to the fans and to this greater NBA family to do my best and try my hardest every day. But that's where 100 percent of my focus is."While he did not confirm he was approached by NFL owners, several have "tried to persuade" Silver to run the league since he took over as NBA commissioner, according to ESPN sources.This weekend's NBA All-Star Game marks Silver's five-year anniversary in his role after succeeding David Stern on Feb. 1, 2014. League revenues have increased from $4.8 billion to a projected $9.1 billion over that time, according to Shelburne, as the NBA has embraced eSports, legalized sports betting, and jersey advertisements. He signed a five-year extension in June that runs through the 2023-24 NBA season.Current NFL commissioner Roger Goodell signed his own five-year deal in December 2017 that's worth up to $200 million.Goodell succeeded Paul Tagliabue on Sept. 1, 2006.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jaylon Ferguson's agent responded critically after the NFL rescinded the sack artist's invitation to the upcoming scouting combine due to a past off-field incident.The league banned Ferguson from the Indianapolis summit after a background check on the Louisiana Tech product brought up a misdemeanor charge from his freshman year. The league prohibits prospects who've been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor involving violence from attending the combine.Safarrah Lawson, who represents Ferguson, sent this statement to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport:

Denver Broncos receiver Emmanuel Sanders appears enthusiastic about general manager John Elway's reported trade to acquire Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco for a fourth-round pick."Big move by Elway,'' Sanders wrote via text to Mike Klis of 9NEWS. "Veteran leader who has won the big game. We also have money to spend to in free agency as well. Looking forward to seeing more pieces put into place.''"I like it,'' Broncos cornerback Chris Harris Jr. added. "Hopefully we get more pieces around him."Denver has had four different starting quarterbacks in the three seasons since Peyton Manning retired, going 20-28 in that span. The Broncos signed quarterback Case Keenum to a two-year, $36-million contract in 2018 after shuffling through starts from Trevor Siemian, Paxton Lynch and Brock Osweiler in 2017. Siemian and Lynch split starter's duties in 2016.Keenum had 3,890 passing yards, 18 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions during the 2018 campaign.Flacco, who lost the starting job in Baltimore to rookie Lamar Jackson this past season, has three years remaining on his existing deal and will earn $18.5 million in base salary in 2019 unless his contract is reworked. He threw for 2,465 yards with 12 touchdowns and six interceptions in 2018.The 34-year-old was the MVP of Super Bowl XLVII in February 2013, leading the Ravens to a championship win over the San Francisco 49ers.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A Colorado sporting goods store that boycotted Nike in response to the brand's Colin Kaepernick ad campaign is shutting down after more than 20 years in business.Stephen Martin, owner of Prime Time Sports in Colorado Springs, told Laura Wilson of KOAA News5 he can no longer afford his monthly lease."Being a sports store without Nike is kind of like being a milk store without milk or a gas station without gas," he said. "How do you do it? They have a monopoly on jerseys."Martin made the decision to pull all Nike products from his store last fall after the company released its "Just Do It" 30th anniversary campaign. He also canceled an autograph session with Brandon Marshall in 2016 after the Denver Broncos linebacker kneeled during the national anthem in protest of police brutality and social injustices."As much as I hate to admit this, perhaps there are more Brandon Marshall and Colin Kaepernick supporters out there than I realized," Martin said.Martin said he expects his store to stay open for about another month and is helping his staff find other jobs."That part of the military respect that's in me just cannot be sacrificed or compromised, as I believe Brandon Marshall and Colin Kaepernick both did," he said. "I don't like losing a business over it, but I rather be able to live with myself."Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Los Angeles Chargers will not exercise their option on defensive tackle Corey Liuget, the team announced.As a result, Liuget will become a free agent this spring."Corey's made major contributions to this organization since being our first-round selection in 2011 both on and off the field," Chargers general manager Tom Telesco said. "He was our Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee in 2018 for a reason and you won't find a player who made a bigger contribution in the community than Corey. While we did not exercise the 2019 option in Corey's contract and he will now become a free agent on March 13, the door is certainly not closed for a possible return in the future."The veteran defensive tackle has spent his entire career with the Chargers since being selected in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft.Liuget recorded 14 tackles and 1.5 sacks in six games with the Chargers in 2018 before suffering a season-ending torn quad tendon.Entering the 2019 season, Liuget was due $4 million in base salary and carried a $9.5-million cap hit.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The defining storyline of the 2019 NFL Draft will likely be where quarterback Kyler Murray, who committed to the NFL on Monday, ultimately lands.But before the draft in April, the Heisman winner will need to ease concerns about his height if he's to cement his first-round status. Murray was listed as 5-foot-10 while at Oklahoma, though some suspect he could be two or three inches shorter.The NFL combine - set to take place from February 26 to March 4 - will likely determine Murray's fate, but Sooners head coach Lincoln Riley needs no convincing about his former player's ability to perform at the professional level."Oh, I think it's just talking about how we used him and how, between having Baker (Mayfield) and Kyler here, (we haven't had) a scenario where we said, 'Well we're not going to run this play or not going to run that play or not going to protect this or like this or that because these guys are 5-10 and 6-foot instead of 6-4,'" Riley said, according to Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk. "I mean, it's just never come into the equation with us, and we do quite a bit with those guys."I think Kyler is like Baker in that he is short. He's been short all of his life. He's learned to deal with it. It's not a factor for him. We had an NFL-sized offensive line (averaging 6-5, 316 pounds) and played against a lot of really, really good defensive lines. I mean, the guy I think had four or five batted down passes I think the whole season. It's just not much of a factor as much as people would think it is. We've gotten to live that for really the last four years playing with guys would consider short for typical quarterbacks, and it was never an issue for us. I think it's something that will get made a lot of at draft time, and I think Kyler starts playing, like Baker, I don't think it will be a factor at all."Only five quarterbacks listed at 5-foot-10 or shorter have thrown an NFL pass since 1960, and none below 6-feet have ever been drafted in the first round, according to ESPN's Kevin Seifert. Russell Wilson, who stands at 5-foot-11, is the NFL's shortest starting QB.Murray's height might not be a factor for him, but even if he measures in at his listed height, whichever team that drafts him will apparently be taking a historic risk.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With free agency and the draft still ahead, NFL rosters will undergo seismic changes over the next few months.Before the shuffling begins, let's take an early look at the players positioned to let us down when the 2019 season kicks off.More from this series

The NFL rescinded an invite to the scouting combine for Louisiana Tech edge rusher Jaylon Ferguson on Tuesday, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.A background check reportedly revealed that Ferguson was convicted of simple battery for his involvement in a fight at a McDonald's during his freshman year.The NFL reportedly told teams that players would be banned from the combine if they were found to have been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor involving violence.Ferguson is considered by some to be a potential first-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. The 23-year-old recorded 17.5 sacks and 26 tackles for loss during his final season at Louisiana Tech.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's unclear if Sean Lee has a future with the Dallas Cowboys, but the two-time Pro Bowl linebacker has no intentions of retiring, regardless of how his offseason plays out."I plan on playing next year," Lee said, according to Mike Fisher of 247Sports.Lee suited up for only seven games in 2018 and was unable to regain his starting job after breakout seasons from Jaylon Smith and rookie Leighton Vander Esch. If he returns to Dallas for 2019, he'd likely be a backup.The veteran linebacker has a long injury history. He most recently struggled through multiple hamstring injuries and has suffered three concussions during his career, leading to speculation that he could hang up his cleats.Lee will turn 33 years old in June. He has one year and a $10-million cap hit left on his contract.The Cowboys have around $46 million available in cap space, according to Spotrac. However, Demarcus Lawrence, Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, and Amari Cooper all need big-money extensions in the next two offseasons.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Michigan defensive end Rashan Gary possesses the rare combination of size and speed, and those physical gifts provide him with the confidence to declare himself the best player in the 2019 NFL Draft.Gary made the statement Wednesday and said he's focused on preparing for the draft since declaring on Nov. 26."I feel like I'm the best player in the draft, defensively and offensively," Gary said, according to Pro Football Talk's Charean Williams. "I'm the best player in the draft."The team (that drafts me) is going to get Rashan Gary. I'm a blue-collar worker. Every day, head down, learn the ways of the team, be the best now and be the best for that team and be the best for that state and bring back a Super Bowl wherever I go."Gary entered Michigan as a highly touted prospect, winning USA Today Defensive Player of the Year during his final season at Paramus Catholic High School in New Jersey.He posted just 9.5 sacks during his three seasons at Michigan, but it was his explosiveness and athleticism that led many to believe he'll be a top-15 pick in this year's class."My goal is to be consistent. I want to be great, and I want to be great right now. Every day I step on the field and strap on that helmet, I'm pushing to be great. Nothing less," Gary said.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With free agency and the draft still ahead, NFL rosters will undergo seismic changes over the next few months.Before the shuffling begins, let's take an early look at the players positioned to let us down when the 2019 season kicks off.More from this series

Los Angeles Chargers general manager Tom Telesco believes the recently launched Alliance of American Football can grow into a viable developmental league for the NFL."It's a great idea," Telesco told ESPN's Eric D. Williams. "It has the potential to be a nice complement to the NFL. It's a great spot for a developmental league for players, but even aside from that - coaches and front office, officiating, athletic trainers and video equipment people, public relations - all of that. So I think it's a great place where people can develop in every department of football operations."Every department that touches a football team can get some real-life experience."The AAF kicked off its first set of games a week after the Super Bowl. The teams' rosters featured plenty of former NFL players and ex-college stars.The league consists of eight teams including one in nearby San Diego and another in Tempe, Ariz., and the Chargers plan to take advantage."With San Diego close and Arizona pretty close, it will be pretty convenient for us (to scout)," Telesco said. "It's a place where young guys can go play."Telesco also pointed out the inherent advantages the AAF provides for players aspiring to make the NFL."No. 1, you get a chance to go play football and get paid for it, so that's nice," he said. "No. 2, you get great coaching. And No. 3, you get a chance to put tape together so the NFL can evaluate you again. Most of these guys we've seen before, but it gives them a chance to develop and learn, get better at their craft and get it on tape."Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Denver Broncos will shop quarterback Case Keenum following the reported acquisition of Joe Flacco from the Baltimore Ravens Wednesday, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Keenum could be asked to take a pay cut or be released if a trade is not reached. He's guaranteed $7 million in 2019 and carries a cap hit of $21 million. Trading him will leave the Broncos with $3 million in dead cap space while cutting him would cost $10 million in dead money.Keenum will turn 31 years old on Feb. 17. He's coming off a 2018 campaign in which he completed 62.3 percent of his passes for 3,890 yards and 18 touchdowns against 15 interceptions while leading the Broncos to a 6-10 record.The former undrafted free agent enjoyed a career year with the Minnesota Vikings in 2017 when he led the team to an 11-3 regular-season record and a trip to the NFC Championship Game.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Twitter had a field day after it was reported that Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco will be heading to the Denver Broncos in a trade.The jokes were flying, with many of them aimed at Broncos VP of football operations John Elway - who's struggled to find a leading quarterback in recent years - and at Flacco, who's often underwhelmed since winning Super Bowl XLVII.

The Baltimore Ravens have agreed in principle to trade quarterback Joe Flacco to the Denver Broncos, league sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.The Ravens will receive a fourth-round pick in return, a source told Albert Breer of The MMQB. The trade can't be made official until the beginning of the new league year on March 13.Flacco, 34, is a former Super Bowl MVP, but he's largely underwhelmed since Baltimore's championship season in 2012. Last year, the veteran lost his starting job to rookie quarterback Lamar Jackson, whom the Ravens committed to building around after drafting him in the first round.In nine appearances during 2018, Flacco threw for 2,465 yards with 12 touchdowns and six interceptions.The reported trade thrusts the future of incumbent Broncos starter Case Keenum into jeopardy. Keenum signed a two-year deal with Denver last offseason, but struggled throughout his first campaign in the Mile High City.Flacco has three years remaining on his existing deal, and will earn $18.5 million in base salary in 2019 unless he reworks his contract.He was a first-round pick of the Ravens in 2008.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Carolina Panthers running back Alex Armah used a mixed martial arts move to detain a man who attempted to break into his car.Armah told Jourdan Rodrigue of the Charlotte Observer he was working out in his apartment on Feb. 6 when the dashboard camera he had installed in his car alerted him to a man trying to enter the vehicle.The man initially claimed he lived in the apartment complex and was admiring the car, according to the Panthers fullback, but changed his story after they spoke to the building concierge."He was like, 'My friend lives here, I was just walking through,'" Armah said. "At that point, me and the concierge looked at each other and the dude tried to make a run for it."I snatched him up by his shirt."The concierge called the police, at which point the man attempted to flee again."Eventually I get him on the ground and I put him in an armbar," Armah said, adding that he detained the man for approximately three minutes until police arrived."The guy wasn't small, he had some size on him," he said. "But he didn't have a chance. I take pride in my car."The suspect, 32-year-old Daniel Cagle, was arrested and charged with attempting to break into or enter a motor vehicle, according to a police report.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Washington Redskins have yet to rule out quarterback Alex Smith for the 2019 season, but running back Chris Thompson reiterated a belief reportedly held throughout the organization that the veteran won't be available as he recovers from a gruesome leg injury."We know and understand that it's probably not going to happen that we have him this year," Thompson said to NBC Sports' JP Finlay on Tuesday. "He’s a hardworking guy. He’s going to do whatever he can to get back if he decides he wants to put that workload on his leg."The three-time Pro Bowler led the Redskins to a 6-4 record through the first 10 games of the season before breaking his leg in Week 11 against the Houston Texans. He completed 62.5 percent of his pass attempts for 2,180 yards and 10 touchdowns against five interceptions in his first season in Washington.Redskins president Bruce Allen said the organization is "optimistic" that Smith will be able to make a full return from his injury.The Redskins reportedly plan to look for a quarterback in free agency and/or the 2019 NFL Draft with Smith's future uncertain. Veteran journeymen Colt McCoy, Mark Sanchez, and Josh Johnson closed out the team's 7-9 campaign under center.Of the three, only McCoy remains under contract for 2019, but he's also recovering from a broken leg suffered in Week 13.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After months of uncertainty regarding the team's home for 2019, the Oakland Raiders might stay put.The Raiders resumed negotiations with the body that oversees the Oakland-California County Coliseum, the group's executive director told Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal."I will confirm that we, late last week, started sitting down and talking with the Raiders about the potential of a 2019 season deal," Scott McKibben said. "In my view, the discussions have been meaningful and productive."Previous talks broke down after the city of Oakland filed a federal antitrust lawsuit against the Raiders and the NFL for the team's upcoming relocation to Las Vegas, where a new $1.9-billion stadium is scheduled to be ready for the 2020 season.The Raiders walked away from the table and explored options such as relocating to London, sharing a stadium with the San Francisco 49ers, or playing at Oracle Park.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Houston Texans released receiver Demaryius Thomas on Tuesday.Thomas is rehabbing from a torn Achilles suffered in Week 16. The Texans acquired him from the Denver Broncos before the 2018 trade deadline in exchange for a fourth-round pick and a swap of seventh-rounders.The five-time Pro Bowler was due $14 million on his base salary in 2019.Thomas said he was "not thinking about retirement" in January while rehabbing but acknowledged his future in Houston was dim.The 31-year-old had 59 catches, 677 receiving yards, and five touchdowns in 2018. He recorded five consecutive 1,000-yard campaigns from 2012-16 during his eight-and-a-half seasons with the Broncos.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Antonio Brown has been terrorizing even the NFL's best secondaries during his near decade with the Pittsburgh Steelers.But with the star receiver making it clear on Tuesday that he wants out of Pittsburgh, two All-Pro cornerbacks jumped at the chance to recruit him to their respective teams:

Projected first-round pick Jeffery Simmons, a defensive tackle from Mississippi State, confirmed Tuesday that he suffered a torn ACL while training.Simmons posted 58 tackles and two sacks during his junior campaign. He finished his three-year career at Mississippi State with 157 tackles and seven sacks.The ACL tear means Simmons will be hard-pressed to make an on-field contribution as a rookie.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Kliff Kingsbury threw his support behind Josh Rosen amid speculation the Arizona Cardinals could dump their young quarterback after one season and draft Kyler Murray."Josh is our guy," the first-year head coach told reporters Tuesday, courtesy of Mike Jurecki of AZCardinals.com.While coaching at Texas Tech last fall, Kingsbury said he would select Murray first overall if he could. As it happens, the Cardinals hold the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft."I was being very complimentary before we played an opponent," Kingsbury added Tuesday. "I understand the soundbite, but like I said, there will be a ton of scenarios that come up before we get to the draft."The Cardinals traded up last year to draft Rosen 10th overall. The UCLA product struggled as a rookie, throwing 11 touchdowns against 14 interceptions and registering a 66.7 passer rating.Murray won the Heisman Trophy in his lone season as the starting quarterback at Oklahoma. On Monday, he declared his intention to pursue an NFL career after spending weeks debating between playing pro football and pro baseball. The 21-year-old was drafted ninth overall by the Oakland Athletics in the 2018 MLB Draft.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Star wide receiver Antonio Brown officially requested a trade from the Pittsburgh Steelers on Tuesday, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.The report surfaced soon after Brown tweeted a video with a caption that thanked Steeler Nation and stated it's "time to move on."

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown was found guilty of reckless driving on Tuesday after failing to attend his court proceeding, according to the Ross Township magistrate's office, via ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.Brown was cited Nov. 8 after driving a black Porsche more than 100 mph. He's paid $426.77 in fines and has 30 days to appeal the guilty verdict.The former All-Pro wideout and his attorney declined to comment following the hearing.The NFL is also looking into a domestic dispute that occurred in January involving Brown and his daughter's mother.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Here, theScore examines every NFL roster to find one notable veteran player who's in danger of becoming an early cap casualty ahead of free agency on March 13.AFC I NFCNFC EastDallas Cowboys - Sean Lee, LBIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyYears left on contract: 1

With Kyler Murray officially committing to professional football on Monday, rumors are circulating that the Arizona Cardinals will target the quarterback in April's draft, especially after new head coach Kliff Kingsbury said last year that he'd select Murray No. 1 overall if given the opportunity.Cardinals president Michael Bidwill addressed the rumors on Tuesday, saying the team did not reach out to current starting quarterback Josh Rosen - who was selected 10th overall last year - regarding the Murray speculation."Josh is a smart guy, he's been around and he’s seen what happens year in and year out," Bidwill said, according to team writer Darren Urban. "There's always a lot of speculation that turns out to not be true. But moving forward, we're going to continue to build this team and build around the foundation that we have."For now, Rosen is expected to be Arizona's long-term quarterback despite a rocky rookie campaign. Bidwill said one of the main questions during the team's recent coaching search - which ultimately landed Kingsbury - was asking candidates to outline their plan for Rosen to take a second-year leap.Bidwill also outlined the traits he's looking for in a top draft selection."They've got to be an incredible athlete on the field," he said. "You want somebody, especially with the number one pick, that you can look at and say, 'This person is going to be here for eight-to-ten years and be an anchor at their position and be a real leader in our organization.'"It's where the heart is and where the head is. Are they playing the game for money, or are they playing the game because they love the game. That's the kind of person you want with your first-round pick."Arizona currently holds the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 draft.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced Tuesday that they've released defensive end Vinny Curry.Curry posted 21 tackles and 2.5 sacks in his first season with Tampa Bay after signing a three-year, $23-million deal (not including incentives) in March 2018. He missed four games with an ankle injury and was replaced by other players on the defensive line as he moved down the depth chart.Releasing the 30-year-old saves the team $8 million in cap space, according to Over The Cap.In combination with his high salary, it's possible Curry's departure was influenced by a scheme change. New defensive coordinator Todd Bowles will likely switch to a 3-4 defense.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield is the latest NFL player to appear on an episode of Complex's "Sneaker Shopping," joining host Joe La Puma at a pop-up shop in Atlanta during Super Bowl weekend.While browsing for shoes, Mayfield discussed being gifted two limited pairs of LeBron James' Nike sneakers after arriving in Cleveland and the support he's received from the Akron native."Obviously, he's arguably one of the greatest of all time, so having that support from him is unbelievable," Mayfield said.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Here, theScore examines every NFL roster to find one notable veteran player who's in danger of becoming an early cap casualty ahead of free agency on March 13.AFC I NFC AFC EastBuffalo Bills - Charles Clay, TESteve Mitchell / USA TODAY SportsYears left on contract: 1

The Oakland Athletics were delivered a huge blow Monday when Kyler Murray, their first-round draft pick, decided he is "firmly and fully" committed to the NFL going forward. However, they may have a contingency plan.Oakland was always willing to allow Murray to participate in the NFL combine and even to go drafted, sources told Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The A's reportedly aren't giving up in their pursuit of the two-sport phenom and are willing to offer the outfielder more guaranteed money in a major-league contract if necessary.As a result of Monday's announcement, Murray will pay back $1.29 million of the $1.5-million bonus he has already received from the Athletics and will not be eligible to receive the remaining $3.16 million.However, following the NFL draft, the Athletics can choose to offer the full bonus back to Murray in addition to a fully guaranteed major-league deal in order to lure the Heisman winner back to baseball. The Athletics would potentially be able to top any NFL contract, the value of which is dependent on when Murray is drafted.Murray's statement, which didn't mention baseball or the Athletics, did still catch the club off guard, according to Rosenthal. It came on the same day that Athletics pitchers and catchers arrived at Mesa, Ariz. for spring training. The A's are the first MLB club to report this year.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After months of speculation and awkward prevarication on his part, two-sport phenom and reigning Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray finally renounced baseball on Monday, announcing on Twitter his intention to "firmly and fully" dedicate his time to becoming an NFL quarterback.As such, Murray won't be reporting later this week for his first spring training with the Oakland Athletics, who drafted the Oklahoma standout with the ninth overall pick in last year's draft and coaxed a tenuous commitment out of him with a conditional $4.66-million signing bonus. (By choosing football, Murray must return all but $210,000 of the $1.5 million he received from the A's last year and forfeits the remaining $3.16 million.) Instead, he'll be gearing up for the upcoming NFL combine, where he hopes to "continue to prove to NFL decision-makers that (he is) the franchise QB in this draft."His decision should surprise no one."Football has been my love and passion my entire life," Murray said. "I was raised to play QB, and I very much look forward to dedicating 100 percent of myself to being the best QB possible and winning NFL championships."Clearly, strapping on his helmet and dropping into the pocket gives Murray a feeling that stepping into the batter's box doesn't. If it didn't, he probably wouldn't have insisted that the Athletics allow him to play out his junior season at Oklahoma - and defer the start of his baseball career - to succeed Baker Mayfield at quarterback.Ultimately, though, money was always going to be the deciding factor for Murray, and if he'd been merely adequate - or worse - in his first full season under center for the Sooners, he'd almost certainly be packing his bags for spring training right now. As his football stock rose, however, and Murray's likelihood of going in the first round of the NFL draft grew, a career in football became fait accompli, with his performance throughout his superb junior season affording him the freedom to pursue his preferred sport professionally without making any financial concessions.Now, in fact, he's likely going to make more money than he would've playing baseball, with more up-front cash, too.If he's selected somewhere in the middle of the first round of the NFL draft, as many analysts project him to, Murray - an undersized but uniquely gifted quarterback who threw for 4,361 yards and 42 touchdowns last season, and rushed for another 1,001 and 12, respectively - stands to earn more than $13 million on his four-year rookie contract, according to Spotrac, with a signing bonus worth almost $8 million. That's being conservative about his draft position, too. In October, Kliff Kingsbury, who was later named Arizona Cardinals head coach, said he'd take Murray first overall if he could, which would put the 21-year-old in line for something approximating the $33.1-million deal - and $22.1-million signing bonus - that Mayfield received from the Cleveland Browns after being chosen with the first pick last year.And if Murray develops into even a serviceable NFL quarterback, his next contract could easily be worth nine figures: Jimmy Garoppolo's current deal will pay him $137.5 million; Derek Carr's is worth $125 million.On the other hand, had he opted to stick with baseball, Murray could've gone a half-decade without a substantial payday and essentially subsisted on his original $4.66-million signing bonus throughout his time in the minor leagues, where some players don't even make a livable wage. Then, assuming he makes it to the big leagues, he'd earn the league minimum for his first three years of his contract, with no recourse to affect his wage, and would have his salary suppressed by the arbitration process for the next three. Only then, after accruing six years of big-league service time, would he be eligible for free agency, which now seems like more of a threat than a financial boon.Increasingly, it seems, big-league clubs have tacitly agreed to eschew free agency, having realized, ultimately, that trying to field a competitive team isn't the soundest financial strategy. (They've also weaponized the luxury tax so effectively that it essentially functions like the NFL's hard cap.) After all, pitchers and catchers were playing catch all across Florida and Arizona on Monday morning, and the list of unsigned free agents still reads like an All-Star team roster, with superstars like Bryce Harper, Manny Machado, and Craig Kimbrel among those without jobs. Moreover, only nine players from this year's free-agent class - hailed as one of the greatest ever - have signed deals that guarantee them a third year of employment.The odds of a massive payday are dubious for everyone, in other words, given the current landscape, but particularly for players like Murray, who are all but guaranteed to hit free agency too late: if he spent three years in the minors, which isn't an unreasonable timeline, Murray wouldn't become eligible for free agency until after his age-29 season. Even with super-agent Scott Boras as his champion, that's disconcerting.And, of course, let's not forget the cachet - i.e. avenues for ancillary income - that comes with being an NFL quarterback, especially a good one. Last year, Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, and Drew Brees averaged $12 million in sponsorship dollars, according to Forbes, with lesser quarterbacks like Matt Ryan, Alex Smith, and Kirk Cousins each taking home seven figures, too. Those opportunities simply don't exist for Oakland A's outfielders. They barely exist for Mike Trout, who made a comparatively meager $2.5 million in endorsement money in 2018, more than Clayton Kershaw, David Price, and Miguel Cabrera combined.And, ultimately, Murray knew all of this, which made Monday's announcement feel preordained. I don't doubt his passion for football, but I also don't believe that this decision came down to anything but simple economics.Jonah Birenbaum is theScore's senior MLB writer. He steams a good ham. You can find him on Twitter @birenball.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tom Brady and the New England Patriots might have even more Super Bowl titles to their credit if not for Peyton Manning.The retired future Hall of Fame quarterback, who dealt Brady and Co. three AFC Championship Game defeats, apparently paid back his former rival by accidentally helping Patriots backup Brian Hoyer crack Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay's system before Super Bowl LIII.As revealed Monday by Albert Breer of The MMQB, Hoyer believed there were similarities between the offenses of McVay and San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, who coached Hoyer while the pair were with the Cleveland Browns in 2015. McVay worked under Shanahan with the Washington Redskins.Hoyer's suspicions were confirmed when he watched Manning break down Jared Goff's game for his ESPN+ series "Detail."

The Cleveland Browns have signed running back Kareem Hunt, the team announced Monday.Hunt was released by the Kansas City Chiefs in December after a video surfaced showing him pushing and kicking a woman in a Cleveland hotel in February. He was placed on the commissioner's exempt list soon after.The 23-year-old received a one-year contract that could be worth more than $1 million, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Hunt will be a restricted free agent at the conclusion of the 2019 season.In addition to the February incident, the NFL is looking into two other off-field altercations involving Hunt; he's alleged to have punched a man at an Ohio resort last June and been involved in a beating at a Kansas City nightclub that left the victim unconscious.Browns general manager John Dorsey told reporters he believes the league could finish its investigation and decide on Hunt's punishment within the next couple of weeks, according to Dani Welniak of KCTV.Dorsey selected Hunt in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft while with the Chiefs. The GM released a statement explaining his decision to sign the player.

After months of speculation and awkward prevarication on his part, two-sport phenom and reigning Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray finally renounced baseball on Monday, announcing on Twitter his intention to "firmly and fully" dedicate his time to becoming an NFL quarterback.As such, Murray won't be reporting later this week for his first spring training with the Oakland Athletics, who drafted the Oklahoma standout with the ninth overall pick in last year's draft and coaxed a tenuous commitment out of him with a conditional $4.66-million signing bonus. (By choosing football, Murray must return all but $210,000 of the $1.5 million he received from the A's last year and forfeits the remaining $3.16 million.) Instead, he'll be gearing up for the upcoming NFL combine, where he hopes to "continue to prove to NFL decision-makers that (he is) the franchise QB in this draft."His decision should surprise no one."Football has been my love and passion my entire life," Murray said. "I was raised to play QB, and I very much look forward to dedicating 100 percent of myself to being the best QB possible and winning NFL championships."Clearly, strapping on his helmet for 60 minutes of "Try Not To Get Brain Damage" gives Murray a feeling that stepping into the batter's box doesn't. It if didn't, he probably wouldn't have insisted that the Athletics allow him to play out his junior season at Oklahoma - and defer the start of his baseball career - to succeed Baker Mayfield at quarterback.Ultimately, though, money was always going to be the deciding factor for Murray, and if he'd been merely adequate - or worse - in his first full season under center for the Sooners, he'd almost certainly be packing his bags for spring training right now. As his football stock rose, however, and Murray's likelihood of going in the first round of the NFL draft grew, a career in football became fait accompli, with his performance throughout his superb junior season affording him the freedom to pursue his preferred sport professionally without making any financial concessions.Now, in fact, he's likely going to make more money than he would've playing baseball, with more up-front cash, too.If he's selected somewhere in the middle of the first round of the NFL draft, as many analysts project him to, Murray - an undersized but uniquely gifted quarterback who threw for 4,361 yards and 42 touchdowns last season, and rushed for another 1,001 and 12, respectively - stands to earn more than $13 million on his four-year rookie contract, according to Spotrac, with a signing bonus worth almost $8 million. That's being conservative about his draft position, too. In October, Kliff Kingsbury, who was later named Arizona Cardinals head coach, said he'd take Murray first overall if he could, which would put the 21-year-old in line for something approximating the $33.1-million deal - and $22.1-million signing bonus - that Mayfield received from the Cleveland Browns after being chosen with the first pick last year.And if Murray develops into even a serviceable NFL quarterback, his next contract could easily be worth nine figures: Jimmy Garoppolo's current deal will pay him $137.5 million; Derek Carr's is worth $125 million.On the other hand, had he opted to stick with baseball, Murray could've gone a half-decade without a substantial payday and essentially subsisted on his original $4.66-million signing bonus throughout his time in the minor leagues, where some players don't even make a livable wage. Then, assuming he makes it to the big leagues, he'd earn the league minimum for his first three years of his contract, with no recourse to affect his wage, and would have his salary suppressed by the arbitration process for the next three. Only then, after accruing six years of big-league service time, would he be eligible for free agency, which now seems like more of a threat than a financial boon.Increasingly, it seems, big-league clubs have tacitly agreed to eschew free agency, having realized, ultimately, that trying to field a competitive team isn't the soundest financial strategy. (They've also weaponized the luxury tax so effectively that it essentially functions like the NFL's hard cap.) After all, pitchers and catchers were playing catch all across Florida and Arizona on Monday morning, and the list of unsigned free agents still reads like an All-Star team roster, with superstars like Bryce Harper, Manny Machado, and Craig Kimbrel among those without jobs. Moreover, only nine players from this year's free-agent class - hailed as one of the greatest ever - have signed deals that guarantee them a third year of employment.The odds of a massive payday are dubious for everyone, in other words, given the current landscape, but particularly for players like Murray, who are all but guaranteed to hit free agency too late: if he spent three years in the minors, which isn't an unreasonable timeline, Murray wouldn't become eligible for free agency until after his age-29 season. Even with super-agent Scott Boras as his champion, that's disconcerting.And, of course, let's not forget the cachet - i.e. avenues for ancillary income - that comes with being an NFL quarterback, especially a good one. Last year, Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, and Drew Brees averaged $12 million in sponsorship dollars, according to Forbes, with lesser quarterbacks like Matt Ryan, Alex Smith, and Kirk Cousins each taking home seven figures, too. Those opportunities simply don't exist for Oakland A's outfielders. They barely exist for Mike Trout, who made a comparatively meager $2.5 million in endorsement money in 2018, more than Clayton Kershaw, David Price, and Miguel Cabrera combined.And, ultimately, Murray knew all of this, which made Monday's announcement feel preordained. I don't doubt his passion for football, but I also don't believe that this decision came down to anything but simple economics.Jonah Birenbaum is theScore's senior MLB writer. He steams a good ham. You can find him on Twitter @birenball.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL season might be over, but commissioner Roger Goodell is still dealing with the controversy of the NFC Championship Game.On Monday, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards shared Goodell's response to a letter the governor wrote which outlined his frustration with the missed call at the end of the conference championship game featuring the New Orleans Saints."I fully understand your personal disappointment, and the disappointment and frustration of Saints fans throughout the country," Goodell wrote in the letter released by Edwards, according to ESPN. "As you know, immediately following the game, our head of officiating told coach Payton that a penalty should have been called on the play in question. I have expressed the same view to both Mrs. Benson and coach Payton, as well as during my press conference on Jan. 30."Goodell reiterated his stance from his end-of-season address, in which he said he couldn't overturn the result due to league rules and that he believed it "would be wrong for me to do so."Edwards praised Goodell for his thorough response to the officiating controversy."Though it is cold comfort to New Orleans Saints fans, I applaud the commissioner's willingness to review the officiating error closely to determine if similar errors can be prevented in the future through rule or procedure changes. I appreciate his response to my letter," Edwards said."New Orleans is a place unlike any other, as evidenced by the Saints fans who celebrated their team and their city in lieu of watching the Super Bowl and raised tens of thousands of dollars for charity in the process. It's the Louisiana way to be hospitable to guests, as I know we will be when the Super Bowl next returns to New Orleans in 2024."The commissioner said his response was delayed because he left for the Super Bowl in Atlanta before the letter was delivered to the NFL's offices.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Carolina Panthers have re-signed safety Eric Reid to a three-year contract, the team announced Monday.The deal is worth more than $22 million with incentives that could raise the total value to $24 million, according to NFL.com's Michael Silver.Reid, who was set to become an unrestricted free agent prior to signing, joined the Panthers in Week 4 of the 2018 season after agreeing to a one-year contract with a $1.39-million base salary.The safety spent five seasons with the San Francisco 49ers from 2013-17 and was the first to kneel in protest with Colin Kaepernick during the national anthem in 2016.Reid continued to kneel in protest during the 2018 campaign and repeatedly called out the NFL after amassing what he claimed was an inordinate amount of drug tests from the league. The NFL and NFLPA later released a statement denying Reid as a target for repeated drug testing.A grievance filed by the NFLPA against NFL team owners on Reid's behalf last May is still active. He believes NFL owners colluded to keep him out of the league because of his weekly kneeling during the national anthem.The 27-year-old had 71 combined tackles, five passes defended, one sack, and one interception in 13 games this past season.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Quarterback Kyler Murray, the 2018 Heisman Trophy winner, will pursue an NFL career despite previously signing a contract with the Oakland Athletics."Football has been my love and passion my entire life," he wrote on Twitter. "I was raised to play QB, and I very much look forward to dedicating 100 (percent) of myself to being the best QB possible and winning NFL championships."I have started an extensive training program to further prepare myself for upcoming NFL workouts and interviews. I eagerly await the opportunity to continue to prove to NFL decision makers that I am the franchise QB in this draft."Oakland drafted Murray with the ninth overall pick last June. The club agreed to let him play football during his junior year at Oklahoma before requiring him to report to the A's.

The NFL will likely open the 2019 season with the Chicago Bears hosting the Green Bay Packers, rather than feature the defending champion New England Patriots, sources told John Ourand of the Sports Business Journal.A reigning Super Bowl champion hasn't been omitted from the opening contest since 2006. But the Bears and Packers share the oldest rivalry in the NFL, making the two teams prime contenders to kick off the league's 100th season on Thursday, Sept. 5.If the NFL goes through with its Bears-Packers plan, the Patriots will likely make their season debut three nights later on Sunday Night Football, according to Ourand.There's still no decision regarding which team will face the Patriots in Week 1. The Kansas City Chiefs, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants, and Cleveland Browns are reportedly all options.The NFL typically releases its schedule for the upcoming season in April.The Bears are also expected to be scheduled on Thanksgiving Day for a meeting against the Detroit Lions, while the Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins will likely fill one of the other slots that day, Ourand reports.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman - who was suspended for the first four games of the 2018 season after violating the NFL's policy against performance-enhancing drugs - insists there's more to the four-game ban than meets the eye, but he refuses to discuss it in detail."People don't know what happened," Edelman told NBC Sports' Peter King. "I can't sit here and (due to) the league rules say what happened."NFL players do have the freedom to discuss a suspension, according to King, but it could've left Edelman open to a league challenge if he alleged something it disagrees with.King also asked the 32-year-old if he felt the suspension was unjust."I'm not going down that road," Edelman said. "I served what I had to serve and I accept that. I know a lot of people were disappointed in me for it. I apologize. It'll never happen again."While the Super Bowl MVP has moved on, he credited his family and focus for his ability to rebound and elevate his game."When (the suspension) happened, I had a strong corner behind me," Edelman said. "My father and I kind of just sat back and said, 'All right, we have a problem here. What's this problem? Let's make sure this never happens again. Let's own up to it. Let's take your penalty like a man, regardless of the circumstances.' ... From this whole thing, I've learned that you've just got to stay in your routine, and you've just got to work your way out of it."Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Vic Fangio waited decades to become a head coach. Now that he's leading the Denver Broncos, expect him to take a long-term approach when it comes to building a contender.Asked by Woody Paige of The Gazette whether he'd remain patient during his first season with the Broncos as they look to snap a three-year playoff drought, Fangio indicated his first campaign at the helm will be aimed at laying a strong foundation for future success."That's a difficult question," said Fangio, who was named head coach in January. "If I say I'm not going to be patient, you and everybody else will think I'm going to make some knee-jerk short-term decisions that won't have long-term benefits. What we've got to do, I believe, is let's go out there and evaluate this team, find out where we need help. Make some good choices for the future, not just for today, if I'm making sense."I'm not looking to go 4-12 or 5-11, thinking that we're rebuilding. But we must realize that two years from now, three years, that what we did in the 2019 season was why we are at that point."We have to establish a work ethic in the players here and work very hard in the acquisitions of players (in the draft and free agency).Fangio also hinted that he wouldn't make any short-term moves that could dramatically disrupt his team's long-term future, pointing to his time with the Chicago Bears as a learning exercise."Here's what happened to the Bears before I got there. What they were doing was putting Band-Aids on every little problem, hoping they would be a good team the next year," he explained. "By the time we got there, they sucked. They were old, no young talent, no nothing. I've coached on two expansions teams in Carolina and with the Texans, and our roster on defense when I was hired was worse than those expansion team defenses."We can't let that happen here. We can't do everything to just get to 8-8 now and be 3-13 in 2021. Does that mean that we won't get a veteran in free agency that will help us for a year or two? We can do that. But we can't go and throw a bunch of (stuff) against the wall and hope it sticks."It was a long wait for Fangio. Now it appears he wants his new team to exercise the same patience that helped him land his new job, focusing on long-term solutions as opposed to quick fixes.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.