Travis Frederick is getting closer to returning to football.The Dallas Cowboys' All-Pro center missed the entire 2018 season after he was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome - an autoimmune disease - in the offseason.Out since August, Frederick now feels he's 90 to 95 percent recovered, he told Mike Leslie of WFAA. The six-year veteran hopes to be able to attend the Cowboys' first offseason workouts in mid-April.Frederick, a four-time Pro Bowler, was named a First-Team All-Pro for the first time in 2016. He's been the anchor of the Cowboys' offensive line since 2013.Without him in the lineup, Dallas dropped from second in the league in rushing last season to 10th in 2018.Guillain-Barre Syndrome is an inflammatory disorder of the peripheral nerves outside the spinal cord and brain.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Minnesota Vikings were among the most disappointing teams in 2018, but Stefon Diggs anticipates significant improvements moving forward.Minnesota was billed as a popular Super Bowl candidate prior to the campaign, but the team sputtered to an 8-7-1 record and missed the playoffs. Diggs believes the Vikings will ultimately benefit from continuity and hinted at an improved rapport with quarterback Kirk Cousins."First year. New system, new quarterback, new receivers. Everybody’s new. Still got to adjust, and you know there’s a lot of room for improvement," Diggs said, according to Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio."We’ve had a lot of sparks. We had some good games. Some things that you saw that we could be really special. And doing it on a consistent basis is something that’s going to come with time. You can’t look forward to time. It’s not working against us, it’s working with us."It would be difficult to blame Diggs for the Vikings' underwhelming season as he finished with 102 receptions for 1,021 yards and nine touchdowns. Expectations will remain high, however, and Diggs will be counted on to play a leadership role as the team looks to make a deep run in the postseason next year.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Alliance of American Football is off to a strong start.The league's first games, which aired Saturday on CBS, averaged 2.913 million viewers, according to Sports TV Ratings.By comparison, the broadcast topped the Oklahoma City Thunder-Houston Rockets game in head-to-head overnight ratings, sources told Action Network's Darren Rovell. The NBA contest on ABC drew 2.524 million viewers.The new league also made waves in the app store, topping the recent download charts for both the Apple Store and Google Play.In the opening two AAF matchups, the Orlando Apollos defeated the Atlanta Legends 40-6, while the San Antonio Commanders topped the San Diego Fleet 15-6.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Los Angeles Rams cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman was fined $26,739 for a hit on a defenseless player in Super Bowl LIII, according to NFL.com's Jeremy Bergman.Robey-Coleman was docked for his helmet-to-helmet hit on New England Patriots running back Rex Burkhead in the first quarter of the game, which drew a 15-yard penalty.It was the second straight game in which the cornerback delivered a blow deemed punishable by the NFL. It was his infamous hit on New Orleans Saints wide receiver Tommylee Lewis late in the fourth quarter of the NFC Championship Game that was not flagged by the officials.Robey-Coleman appealed the first fine, but a hearing date has yet to be set for this latest decision.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

If the Dallas Cowboys want Dak Prescott to be the face of the franchise for the foreseeable future, owner Jerry Jones should be prepared to open up his checkbook.The Cowboys quarterback apparently has no interest in signing a team-friendly contact like Tom Brady, whose annual salary of $15 million lags far behind Aaron Rodgers' league-topping mark of $33.5 million."Nobody's wife makes as much money as his wife does either," Prescott said, according to USA Today's Jori Epstein. "When Tom Brady isn't the breadwinner in the home, then that's a great problem to have. So in that case, he can do that. He can do his contract however you want to do it."Brady's wife, Gisele Bundchen, is believed to be worth $400 million and reportedly took home $10 million last year and $17.5 million in 2017.While Dallas has made it clear it'll pay Prescott fairly after three years as the NFL's lowest-paid long-term starter, the front office would likely appreciate his cooperation.Impending free-agent defensive end Demarcus Lawrence could become the league's third defender to break the $20-million-per-year mark after Khalil Mack and Aaron Donald. Additionally, running back Ezekiel Elliott and receiver Amari Cooper will need extensions that'll likely put them among the highest-paid players at their respective positions in the next two offseasons.However, Prescott isn't worried about the Cowboys playing hardball in extension negotiations."I think the team knows how to pay what's deserved," Prescott said. "and pay those other people at the same time what's deserved without being frugal."Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Father Time has caught up to every athlete in sports history, but he's finding Tom Brady a particularly difficult nut to crack.The New England Patriots' 41-year-old star won a record sixth Super Bowl against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday to become the oldest quarterback to take home the Lombardi Trophy.Brady celebrated the win on Friday by trash-talking his longtime adversary on Instagram, writing, "Hey Father Time, Just take the L."

James Harrison was never afraid to speak his mind during his playing days, and the former NFL pass-rusher is hoping to use that skill to land a post-football career.The ex-Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker is set to make his on-screen debut Thursday on the CBS crime drama "S.W.A.T," but he ultimately has his sights set on Hollywood - and he isn't short on confidence."I'd like to say that I have the action capacity of The Rock," Harrison told Yahoo Sports' Jason Owens. "And I've got the range of Denzel (Washington)."Harrison will star alongside fellow former NFLers Eric Dickerson and Willie McGinest as members of the Los Angeles Fire DepartmentThe 2008 Defensive Player of the Year said he enjoyed his NFL career, but he doesn't miss football.Harrison is, however, using his experiences in football to aid his new pursuit."It's repetitive," Harrison said of shooting a scene. "The whole day was 14 to 16 hours. It's just shoot after shoot after shoot."You might have to say the same lines 20 or 30 times. It's like practice."Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Adam Gase didn't want Gregg Williams' son on his staff, but the first-year New York Jets head coach gave in, a source a source familiar with the situation told ESPN's Rich Cimini.Blake Williams served as a linebackers coach for his father with the Cleveland Browns and has worked below his dad with multiple teams. He reportedly has a history of rubbing people the wrong way. He yelled at a prospect during a pre-draft interview while with the St. Louis Rams and was reprimanded multiple times for sitting in a senior staff member's seat on the team bus, a source told Cimini.The Jets brought in Gregg on Jan. 15 to operate as Gase's defensive coordinator. Both coaches are known for their headstrong ways, which immediately led observers to question whether they'd be able to co-exist.Gregg reportedly grew frustrated with Gase's refusal to add his son to the staff. The head coach finally relented and added Blake, 34, as a defensive assistant.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Oakland Raiders owner Mark Davis is still striving to keep the team in the Bay Area for 2019, even though he's running out of options - and time.The Raiders, at the moment, are homeless for next season. Their lease at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum has expired, and the city of San Francisco has pushed back on a scenario in which the Raiders would share Oracle Park with Major League Baseball's Giants for a year."I've said from the beginning, my biggest concern is our fans, and it's my hope and preference to remain in the Bay Area for them," Davis told Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. "... We do have other options, but the hope is to remain in the Bay Area next season until we move to Las Vegas in 2020, which I remain very excited about."The 49ers are reportedly prepared to invoke their territorial rights to stop the Raiders from playing in Oracle Park. San Francisco Mayor London Breed said the Raiders would complicate traffic, which is already affected by construction on the Golden State Warriors' new arena.The Raiders could conceivably work out a one-year deal with Oakland to stay in the coliseum, though tensions between the two sides have been high since the city filed a federal antitrust lawsuit against the franchise.The last Bay Area option may be having the Raiders and 49ers share Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara. The Raiders' stadium in Las Vegas won't be ready to house the team until 2020, so an early move to Sin City isn't on the table.The NFL typically announces schedules for the upcoming season in April."I know the (league) would like this decided within a few weeks, and we certainly don't want to be the ones that would cause a delay in scheduling," said Davis.The Raiders have been in Oakland since 1995. They played in Los Angeles from 1982-94 and were in Oakland from 1960-81 before that.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton opened up in a video posted to his new YouTube channel Thursday about the injury to his throwing shoulder that affected him throughout most of the 2018 season and ultimately cut his campaign short by two games."At this persona that we play, you can't show no sign of weakness," Newton said. "But I was weak, and I felt so vulnerable. I felt so scared. I felt so afraid because I knew I wasn't myself. I didn't know what the f--- was wrong with my shoulder. I just knew that it hurt, and I knew there was an issue. I couldn't throw the ball further than 30 yards, no lie. ... So I was trying to keep up with it as much as possible ... until the wheels fell off. ..."I felt like defenses (were) exposing me because they knew I couldn't throw the ball downfield. Not being in the position physically to be able to make the throws that you know you're capable of making, that was the most disheartening thing."The former MVP underwent an arthroscopic procedure in late January to clean up his shoulder and said shortly afterward that his recovery was "better than I thought it would be."Newton completed a career-best 67.9 percent of his passes for 3,395 yards and 24 touchdowns against 13 interceptions over the first 14 games of the season before being held out of Week 16 and 17 due to the injury.The Panthers reportedly expect him to be ready for training camp and Newton's confident that the 2019 campaign will be one of his best yet."A lot of people are saying, 'They've seen the best of Cam Newton,'" he said. "F--- every single thing that's been said that I don't like - straight up. I'm not here to knock on doors, I'm here to kick the motherf------ down."Seeing the doubt, hearing the whispers of 'he don't got it no more,' fuels me. That's what makes this comeback even more extraordinary for me. I feel this is going to make me even more dangerous."The 29-year-old has two years remaining on his current contract with the Panthers at cap hits of $23.2 million and $21.1 million in 2019 and 2020, respectively.- With h/t to NFL.comCopyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson at the helm as the team's pivot, general manager Eric DeCosta sees a great opportunity to exploit the market and add offensive pieces to complement Jackson's unique skill set."This is a really, really fun, exciting offseason, because we get a chance to look at other teams, and maybe even have the chance to draft some players or add some players that maybe other teams don't like as much as we do because we're doing something different," DeCosta said, according to ESPN's Jamison Hensley. "So, we may be able to find or exploit that situation a little bit."The Ravens moved the ball primarily on the ground after Jackson took over as the signal-caller in Week 11, as they averaged 136.9 more rushing yards per game after turning to the sophomore.DeCosta is also eager to capitalize on Jackson's cheap rookie deal in building the team this offseason and beyond. The 22-year-old has a three-year cap commitment of $7.8 million, while Joe Flacco, who's expected to be traded or released by the team, would've saddled the Ravens with a $78.9-million cap commitment over the next three years, according to Hensley."One of the things that we want to do is put ourselves in a really good salary cap situation now and also moving forward," DeCosta said. "So, having a quarterback on a rookie deal is a big part of that."Aside from the financial flexibility Jackson's rookie deal provides, the GM also believes the quarterback's talent can help attract talent to Baltimore."I think players respect talent," DeCosta said. "I think players respect athletes and competitors. Anyone can watch Lamar Jackson and see how talented he is and what kind of a competitor he is. Players also want to win, and I think that's something that drives every professional athlete - winning games. I think they'll recognize that about us. When they watch us play, they'll want to play here."Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are reportedly considering placing the transition tag on Le'Veon Bell, and that move wouldn't come out of a desire to keep the running back long term.The Steelers prefer to use the cheaper tag on Bell and then shop him around to find a trade partner, sources told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Gerry Dulac. Head coach Mike Tomlin and general manager Kevin Colbert don't want Bell's contract dispute to disrupt another season."Ideally, the Steelers would find a team interested in Bell, place the transition tag on him, sign him and trade him to that interested team the same day," writes Dulac. "That way, they are guaranteed compensation for the former All-Pro running back, whether in the form of a player or a draft choice."The transition tag gives teams the chance to match any offer a player receives on the open market. If the team doesn't match the offer, it doesn't receive draft-pick compensation. Tagging Bell could cost anywhere from $9.5 million to $14.5 million, with recent franchise tags complicating his case.Bell sat out the entire 2018 season after being slapped with the franchise tag for a second straight year, forfeiting his $14.5-million salary. The Steelers could argue the running back didn't play under the tag, and therefore shouldn't require the more expensive version of the transition tag.The 26-year-old would need to sign the transition tag for Pittsburgh to trade him, but Dulac notes that might be unlikely because of the strained relationship between Bell and his team.The NFL prohibits teams from using any tag without the intention to sign the player to a long-term deal, which further complicates the Steelers' plan."A club extending a required tender must, for so long as that tender is extended, have a good faith intention to employ the player receiving the tender at the tender compensation level during the upcoming season," article four, section eight, subsection (b) of the collective bargaining agreement states, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.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 break out when the 2019 season kicks off.Early breakout candidates

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 break out when the 2019 season kicks off.Early breakout candidates

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady refused to say if he'll join his team for the traditional White House visit when asked on Thursday.The president hosts the Super Bowl champion at the White House, and although Donald Trump's administration hasn't formally invited the Patriots yet, the team is expecting to visit the nation's capital."Next question," Brady responded when NBC 10 Boston's Perry Russom asked him whether he intends to visit the White House.Brady missed the team's trip to the White House two years ago, citing family issues."People love to come to the White House. So the Patriots were here two years ago and I'm sure they'll be back," Trump told Margaret Brennan of CBS News prior to the Super Bowl.Patriots defensive backs Devin McCourty, Jason McCourty, and Duron Harmon previously said they won't join the team on the visit.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor pushed back against criticism for hiring offensive line coach Jim Turner on Thursday. Turner hasn't worked in the NFL since the Miami Dolphins fired him for his role in the team's bullying scandal in 2014.Taylor said he anticipated some fallout after emphasizing the importance of character during his introductory press conference on Tuesday."I know the man and I know he's a great person, great human. And so, somebody I trust," Taylor said on Thursday, according to ESPN's Katherine Terrell. "We talked about culture and bringing the right people in this building and I would never do anything that would tarnish the reputation of the Brown family and the Bengals organization if I didn't believe in the person and know the person inside and out."Turner was named in the Wells report, which investigated the issues surrounding the bullying of former Dolphins offensive lineman Jonathan Martin, among others.The report said Turner knew of the bullying and even participated. The offensive line coach, who was aware of an ongoing locker-room joke that an unnamed player - referred to as Player A - was gay, purchased inflatable female dolls for every offensive lineman except Player A, who received a male version.Taylor was a Dolphins assistant coach at the time and said he's "very comfortable" bringing Turner into his locker room.Turner most recently coached at Texas A&M, where he was suspended for two weeks in 2016 for showing a sexist and offensive slideshow at an event intended to educate woman about football.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL released its official list of NFL Scouting Combine participants Thursday and one two-sport star is among the attendees.As his football/baseball decision looms, Kyler Murray has decided to attend the combine on Feb. 26. Oakland Athletics position players are set to report for spring training Feb. 15.If an official decision regarding which sport he'll play hasn't been made at that point, Murray would have to juggle spring training and the combine, likely with the Athletics' permission.Murray was the ninth overall selection in the 2018 MLB Draft but won the Heisman Trophy in December after a stellar season with the Oklahoma Sooners. His performance on the football field muddied his future, as the star athlete also declared for the 2019 NFL Draft.The quarterback has largely avoided questions about his future but revealed last week he'll end the drama and pick between football and baseball "very soon."Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Quinnen Williams significantly improved his draft stock during his final season at Alabama, and now he's looking to cement his case to go first overall in the 2019 NFL Draft.The standout defensive tackle - who declared for the draft Jan. 11 despite having two years of eligibility left at Alabama - made his case to be taken with the No. 1 pick in an interview with NFL.com's Brooke Cersosimo."My IQ level is through the roof," Williams said. "I can sit down and breakdown film of a quarterback and (identify) tendencies and stuff like that. I work very hard on the field and off the field. I'm a team player, I'm a coachable player, and I really listen."Although Williams pointed out that he doesn't model his game after one particular player, he mentioned Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald as someone to emulate."I look at Aaron Donald as a learning tool," Williams said. "I can learn from everything he does, but there's been people who did it before (him) like Warren Sapp, Gerald McCoy, Fletcher Cox. There's a lot of people who do it the same way, but he gets the sacks. I can learn different techniques from all of these guys, but he's a great player to sit and watch."He's definitely opening the door for guys like me to be drafted so high because (the position) is needed and you see how he works. It's the opportunity for me to show the world that I can do the same thing. People say there's only one Aaron Donald, but there could be only one Quinnen Williams, too. "Williams emerged as one of the breakout stars of the 2018 college season, and with months until the draft, it's now on him to convince general managers that his excellent campaign at Alabama will translate to the NFL.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Although Steve Wilks is now in charge of the Cleveland Browns' defense, it was an offensive player who helped draw his attention to the organization.Wilks was introduced as the Browns' new defensive coordinator Thursday and provided quarterback Baker Mayfield with a vote of confidence."You can’t win in this league if you don’t have a quarterback and we have a quarterback," Wilks said, according to Dan Labbe of Cleveland.com.Wilks, who previously served as the Arizona Cardinals head coach before being fired on Dec. 31, made it clear the Browns were his top choice."I scheduled this (interview) first because this is where I want to be," Wilks said.Prior to being named head coach of the Cardinals, Wilks worked as the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers.Mayfield shone during his rookie season, throwing for 27 touchdowns against 14 interceptions over 13 starts, and it appears he made a strong impression on coaches across the board.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Kansas City Chiefs asked Patrick Mahomes to stop playing basketball after a video of the MVP quarterback in a pickup game went viral."As soon as I saw it, it probably took me two seconds to call his agent and tell him that was a big no-no," Chiefs general manager Brett Veach told 810 WHB-AM on Thursday."The (Chiefs) Kingdom can rest assured that we have that under control; no more basketball for Pat."

The New York Jets made a commitment to Sam Darnold when they selected him third overall in the 2018 draft, and, as a result, they've trusted him with some important decisions after his rookie season.Darnold spoke to Sports Illustrated's Jacob Feldman about adjusting to New York and revealed he was heavily involved in the team's head coaching search, which led to the hiring of Adam Gase."I was fortunate enough to be a part of that process of hiring a new coach. So we had been discussing. I had talked to Gase. I had interviewed him, but we were really just talking, trying to get to know him and I had done that with a few other coaches and I really liked Gase. I really liked what he was about. I know the system that he has and all the success that he's had with other players as well," Darnold said."I just knew that with him coming in and also Gregg Williams on the defensive side, the combination of those two guys, they're going to create so much energy in the building. I think that's going to be very contagious for our team. And I knew that right when we hired him it'd be the right fit, and I think that's the biggest thing, when talking about hiring coaches, is are they going to fit in well with the guys."Darnold underwent some growing pains during his rookie year, completing 57.7 percent of his passes for 2,865 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions as the Jets slumped to a 4-12 record. New York fired head coach Todd Bowles on Dec. 30 and hired Gase on Jan. 11.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski appeared on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" on Wednesday to discuss his offseason plans and his 2019 Super Bowl experience.Gronkowski also relived the Patriots' Super Bowl parade, which he called "hands-down the best party," telling the story of him getting hit in the face with a flying beer can.The 29-year-old also made sure to shout out teammate Julian Edelman, who the tight end claimed pumped him up prior to his game-changing 29-yard reception in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl LIII, which led to the game's only touchdown.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Thirty-one teams around the NFL are once again left chasing the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots for league supremacy. However, with the free-agent negotiating window opening March 11 and the NFL draft taking place April 25, there will be several opportunities for teams to upgrade their rosters and make a run at being the last team standing next year.Here are three teams that will be in pursuit of an impact player this offseason to improve their fortunes for 2019:Indianapolis ColtsJoe Robbins / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe Colts were one win away from the AFC Championship Game thanks to the stellar play of Andrew Luck and one of the best offensive lines in football. However, their defense could use a playmaker to aid rookie sensation Darius Leonard.Indy's biggest need is a pass-rushing presence. The Colts ranked 19th in sacks and 29th in pass rushing during the 2018 regular season, according to Pro Football Focus. Some of the big-name free agents on the defensive line, such as Brandon Graham or Demarcus Lawrence, could take their defensive unit to the next level.With the most cap space in the NFL this offseason, general manager Chris Ballard is only a few moves away from turning the Colts into the next AFC powerhouse.Cleveland BrownsDustin Bradford / Getty Images Sport / GettyAfter the Browns ended the regular season on a 5-2 tear, expect GM John Dorsey to build off that momentum and search for an impact player to aid franchise quarterback Baker Mayfield.Cleveland has the cap space available to pursue a deep threat that can stretch opposing defenses. John Brown and Tyrell Williams are free agents that could work as secondary weapons in the Browns' offense and provide a good compliment to Mayfield, who showed throughout his rookie season he isn't afraid to unload deep.Building around Mayfield, who proved last year that he can be the Browns' cornerstone player, will be imperative to ensure Cleveland's future is a bright one.San Francisco 49ersMichael Zagaris / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe return of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo won't be enough for the 49ers to compete in the NFC West. Their defense - in desperate need of playmakers - only grabbed two interceptions last season. PFF rated the team's passing defense as the worst such unit in the NFL in 2018.San Francisco could use the No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft to select a player that will immediately aid its defensive unit, such as LSU cornerback Greedy Williams. The Niners could also look to pursue free agents like Ronald Darby or Earl Thomas to help solve their issues in pass coverage.Coming off consecutive losing campaigns, head coach Kyle Shanahan will need to see improvement on the defensive side of the ball in order to avoid the hot seat and eventually restore the franchise to its former heights.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Chicago Bears wide receiver Allen Robinson doesn't seem opposed to the idea of free-agent running back Kareem Hunt joining the team.Robinson said on Feb. 1 that he believes the Bears would welcome Hunt, who seemed to be a "good dude" from their few meetings, according to the Chicago Sun-Times' Patrick Finley."From when I met (him) and everything like that, for us to bring him into our locker room, I think guys would welcome him with open arms," Robinson said. "He'd be one of us ..."A guy they'd bring into our locker room would be our brother."The Bears receiver said he wasn't especially familiar with the events surrounding Hunt's release, who was cut by the Kansas City Chiefs after a video surfaced of him assaulting a woman in a Cleveland hotel.Hunt is currently listed on the commissioner's exempt list and is unable to sign with a team until he is reinstated.Bears head coach, and former Chiefs offensive coordinator, Matt Nagy caused a buzz in January when he spoke with Hunt over the phone, but he said the call was strictly personal.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It appears the Oakland Raiders' trade of star pass-rusher Khalil Mack wasn't tough for only the fans.Appearing on "NFL Total Access," veteran offensive tackle Donald Penn said the team struggled after Mack was dealt in September."No matter what nobody says, we tried to overcome it," Penn said, according to NFL.com's Nick Shook. "But when you trade your best player away in the beginning of the year, it takes a toll on guys. Whether they say it or not. We fought through it. We tried to stay together. It was a tough season."Khalil Mack is one of my good friends. I'm happy he did what he did. But I knew kind of when I saw Aaron Donald sign that deal, I kind of knew in the back of my head that we weren't going to be able to sign Khalil 'cause all the money he was going to ask for. I knew what (Jon) Gruden was coming from cause I might know different cause I been in the league for so long. I know it's a business."Penn empathizes with his head coach, though, and stands behind him heading into next season."At the end of the day I've been in the league for 13 years," he said. "I know a business. That's a business decision that's made. I'm behind Gruden. Guys are behind Gruden. We're ready to get to work and turn this thing around."The 35-year-old blocker is due to make $8.35 million in the final year of his contract. The longtime left tackle shifted to the right side in 2018 after Oakland drafted Kolton Miller in the first round of last year's draft.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New NFL Films footage shows it wasn't Bill Belichick's decision alone to kick a 41-yard field goal rather than go for it on fourth-and-inches late in Super Bowl LIII.The New England Patriots led 10-3 with 1:16 left in the game and had the ball at the Los Angeles Rams' 24-yard line. The Patriots could've run a play to earn a first down and run out the rest of the clock, and with Tom Brady's penchant for quarterback sneaks, that seemed to be the obvious call.Brady, however, had different ideas.

The NFL's Super Bowl commercial, celebrating the upcoming 100th season, featured a collection of current and retired football stars crashing into each other and onto tables.The spot was a hit with the general public, drawing more than 3.4-million views on YouTube, and the players featured in the commercial were willing to go above and beyond to ensure the tackles looked as realistic as possible."What was funny is a lot of the players were like, 'I'll do my own hit, I'll do my own hit,'" director Peter Berg told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport on his "RapSheet and Friends" podcast."LaDainian Tomlinson actually did his own hit but he ran into stuntmen. ... A lot of the football players wanted to do their own hits and then they saw the stuntmen doing them and they were like, 'Damn.'"Berg said Von Miller and Barry Sanders were among the players who also eschewed the use of a stunt double.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New England Patriots safety Patrick Chung is scheduled for surgery on his broken forearm Thursday, a source told The Athletic's Jeff Howe.Chung will have another procedure in about three weeks to clean up a shoulder issue that bothered him for most of the season, Howe adds.The 31-year-old will likely miss organized team activities but should return in time for training camp.Chung played 15 games in the regular season, recording one interception and 84 combined tackles. He made two solo tackles in the Patriots' Super Bowl LIII victory over the Los Angeles Rams.The veteran will carry a cap hit of $3.6 million in 2019 and 2020.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL's free-agent negotiating window opens March 11 at 4 p.m. ET and there will be no shortage of intriguing targets for teams in need of upgrades. Though some impending free agents will agree to extensions and others will receive franchise tags before then, here's an early look at the 25 best players currently slated to hit the market:1. Le'Veon BellDon't let a drama-filled year away from football let you forget just how good Bell is. This is one of the few running backs who can command a significant payday. He couldn't get it in Pittsburgh, but he certainly will elsewhere.2. DeMarcus LawrenceThe Cowboys probably can't afford to let Lawrence walk, though it might require applying the franchise tag for a second straight year - something that didn't please the top free agent on our list. With 25.5 sacks over the last two seasons, Lawrence is undoubtedly one of football's premier edge defenders.3. Frank ClarkIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyClark has quietly emerged as one of the NFL's most dominant pass-rushers, and he'll soon be paid accordingly. The Seahawks would be out of their minds to not use the franchise tag if they can't sign him to an extension before free agency.4. Jadeveon ClowneyThe NFL still hasn't seen the level of utter dominance Clowney displayed in college, largely due to a seemingly unending series of minor injuries, but teams will lick their lips at the prospect of adding a 25-year-old athletic freak who's strong against the run and appears poised to break through with his first double-digit sack season. The Texans will do their best to keep the former first overall pick around.5. Earl ThomasThomas probably won't be getting a long-term deal at his age, but a multi-year contract that keeps him among the NFL's highest-paid safeties sounds about right. He was still playing at an incredibly high level before an injury ended his 2018 season.6. C.J. MosleyDiamond Images / Diamond Images / GettyInside linebacker is viewed by some as a replaceable position, but Mosley is as consistent as they come and the unquestioned leader of the Ravens' excellent defense. Whether he sticks around could depend on if he insists on becoming football's highest-paid ILB.7. Landon CollinsA down year shouldn't do much, if anything, to suppress Collins' value on the open market. One of the NFL's premier safeties, and still just 25 years old, he'll get a lucrative long-term deal from either the Giants or another team.8. Ndamukong SuhAfter a slow start in Los Angeles, Suh flipped a switch and returned to his wrecking ball ways in the playoffs. Suh took a discount to chase a ring with the Rams on a one-year deal. Whether he'll prioritize winning over his wallet again remains to be seen.9. Grady JarrettIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyJarrett has always been a good run defender, but his recent emergence as a dominant pass-rusher has sent his value through the roof. The 25-year-old is poised to cash in, whether it's from the Falcons or another team on the open market.10. Dee FordNo one forced more fumbles in 2018 than Ford, and his 13 sacks ranked eighth among all players. In other words, he's hitting free agency at the perfect time. It could force the Chiefs to make some difficult cuts to free up cash to keep him.11. Trey FlowersFlowers played a huge role in the much-improved Patriots pass rush over the past few seasons. He'll be one of the more interesting names to watch, as history suggests New England may not be willing to dish out the kind of contract top edge defenders can command.12. Kareem HuntIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyWith a looming suspension for a violent off-field incident, some teams will omit Hunt from their offseason shopping lists, but there will be a market for 2017's leading rusher. He could even represent a significant bargain opportunity for teams unafraid of PR blowback.13. K.J. WrightPerennially overshadowed by Bobby Wagner, Wright has been a crucial contributor to the Seahawks' often excellent defense for the better part of a decade. Questions about the 29-year-old's health - Wright missed 11 games in 2018 - could scare some teams away.14. Brandon GrahamGraham's sack production has never been staggering, but he's been one of the league's more consistently impactful edge defenders for years. If heading into his age-31 season impacts his price tag the way it does for so many others, some team is going to get a steal on a short-term contract.15. Sheldon RichardsonIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyRichardson wore out his welcome in New York and Seattle, but the 28-year-old went a long way toward rehabilitating his value with a strong season in Minnesota. A lucrative long-term deal might be tough to come by for a player with Richardson's spotty off-field history, but he can make a team's defensive interior much better.16. Ezekiel AnsahAnsah may end up being yet another value signing from a loaded pass-rusher market. His talent warrants a big-time paycheck, but after missing time with injury and struggling with consistency, he could come cheaper than expected.17. Anthony BarrAn awkward fit in the Vikings' 4-3 defensive scheme and with Minnesota tight against the salary cap, Barr seems destined to hit the open market. Perhaps his best bet is finding a team willing to deploy him exclusively as a rush linebacker.18. Tyrann MathieuBob Levey / Getty Images Sport / GettyMathieu bet on himself in free agency last year and it may well work out in his favor. The do-it-all defensive back racked up 89 tackles, three sacks, and two interceptions on his one-year deal with the Texans, displaying the versatility that makes him such a valuable player in today's NFL.19. Za'Darius SmithPerhaps the least-known name on this list, the former fourth-round pick produced at a middling level in 2016 and 2017 for Baltimore before breaking out with a career-best 8.5 sacks in 2018. The Ravens could be forced to choose between retaining Smith or Terrell Suggs and might prefer the more consistent, albeit much older, commodity.20. Preston SmithSmith has 24.5 sacks in his four seasons, twice topping eight, but he's long made a more substantial impact than those numbers show. Still just 26, and having flashed all the ability to be an impact pass-rusher, teams will be lining up to pay for his prime seasons.21. Golden TateJonathan Daniel / Getty Images Sport / GettyTate wasn't as productive as expected following a trade deadline deal that sent him to the Eagles, but it's difficult to expect a receiver to pick up an offense mid-season and contribute. He can still be a 1,000-yard player as a slot receiver with the right team.22. Kwon AlexanderA torn ACL suffered in Week 7 could put a damper on Alexander's market. When healthy, this gifted athlete is a tackling machine.23. Nick FolesFoles seems destined to receive the franchise tag after buying out of his team option, but that would likely just be a precursor to a trade. There should be several quarterback-needy teams entertaining a move for the former Super Bowl MVP.24. Ronald DarbyMitchell Leff / Getty Images Sport / GettyDarby tore his ACL in Week 10 and will have to race to be ready for the start of next season, but a 25-year-old with solid ability in man coverage shouldn't have a hard time finding a new team.25. Trent BrownGetting Brown from the 49ers for a swap of draft picks proved to be an unbelievable steal for the Patriots this season. It's tough to imagine New England letting him walk away after such an impressive breakout year, but teams will be ready to pounce if they do.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL will "look into" the domestic dispute involving Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown, a league spokesperson told ProFootballTalk's Mike Florio in an email.The mother of one of Brown's children told police Brown pushed her during a January argument, causing her to fall to the ground, according to an incident report obtained by Andy Slater of 640 The Hurricane. She told police the two had been at odds about money for their daughter's hair appointment, according to the report. Brown wasn't arrested.Brown's lawyer, Darren Heitner, wrote in a statement to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler on Wednesday that his client committed no wrongdoing."The complainant, who is the mother of Mr. Brown's child, acknowledged that she refused to leave Mr. Brown's property after being asked and further refused to leave the doorway of his personal residence," the statement read. "The complainant did not want to provide a statement or press charges, and asked to retract her report after it was made."The incident took place in Florida. It was reported Tuesday by TMZ.Heitner added that Brown's family law attorney will file an action in court seeking full custody of the minor child who was involved in the mother's "false reporting."Brown is presumed to be on the trading block after he abandoned the Steelers while they were preparing for a must-win game in Week 17.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Veteran kicker Matt Bryant says the Atlanta Falcons are releasing him.

Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen intends to return in 2019 despite having his last two seasons derailed by foot injuries."My plan right now, I'm in every day doing my foot rehab, trying to get this thing finally back to where I was used to," the veteran told Sky Sports. "It seems like it's been a long time since it was. That's what I'm preparing for and that all starts with getting my foot right."Olsen broke his foot in September 2017 and re-injured it after returning from injured reserve later in the season. He refractured the same foot in September 2018 and later ruptured his plantar fascia in December after, again, coming off injured reserve.The 33-year-old entertained retirement and auditioned for a broadcasting job on Monday Night Football before the 2018 season, but ultimately opted to continue his playing career.Olsen has posted just 482 yards and five touchdowns over his last 16 games, though he had three straight 1,000-yard campaigns from 2014-16.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With a 13-3 victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, the New England Patriots captured their sixth Super Bowl, tying the Pittsburgh Steelers for the most in NFL history. Amazingly, all six of their titles came within a 17-year span under one head coach. That got us thinking, what would an all-time roster of Patriots champions look like?When assembling this team, players were only graded for their performance during the years they won a championship; nothing before or after was taken into account. Postseason performance was weighed slightly more.In order to qualify, a player had to win a title with the franchise. Randy Moss, Logan Mankins, and Wes Welker are three examples of legendary Patriots who did not win a Super Bowl with the team and are thus excluded.So, without further ado, here is our championship version of the All-Patriots roster:QuarterbackTom Brady - 2001, 2003, 2004, 2014, 2016, 2018Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images Sport / GettyWe begin with the easiest selection on our list. The one constant (other than Bill Belichick) in all six of the Patriots' titles, Brady has won four Super Bowl MVPs during his illustrious career. It's difficult to argue against his GOAT status.Running backCorey Dillon - 2004

The New England Patriots will name Greg Schiano as their new defensive coordinator Wednesday, a source told Jim McBride of the Boston Globe.Schiano spent the last three seasons as Ohio State's defensive coordinator and left the Buckeyes in January following Urban Meyer's retirement.The 52-year-old replaces Brian Flores as Bill Belichick's right-hand man on defense. Flores was officially hired as head coach of the Miami Dolphins on Monday.Schiano will be New England's third defensive coordinator in three seasons after Matt Patricia left for the Detroit Lions following the 2017 campaign.The former Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach is best known for his 11-year run at Rutgers from 2001-11. He coached the Bucs from 2012-13.Schiano is the first external candidate hired by Belichick into a coordinator position since Romeo Crennel in 2001.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New England Patriots completely shut down the Los Angeles Rams in their 13-3 victory in Super Bowl LIII, but it appears their standout defenders were overlooked.None of the Patriots' defensive players received a single vote for Super Bowl MVP, despite neutralizing the NFL's second-ranked scoring offense, a league spokesperson confirmed to NFL.com.Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman won the award after catching 10 passes for 141 yards.New England cornerback Stephon Gilmore was considered by some to be a top candidate for the award after breaking up three passes, forcing a fumble, and recording a critical interception in the fourth quarter.Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower could've also been a fitting recipient, notching two sacks and three quarterback hits.The Patriots' defense doesn't appear to be altogether concerned, as the team celebrates their second title in three years and the sixth in franchise history.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Oakland Raiders won't share Oracle Park with the San Francisco Giants for the 2019 season as the San Francisco 49ers are not expected to waive their territorial rights to the city, sources told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.The Raiders were reportedly in talks with the MLB franchise but faced strong pushback from San Francisco's mayor, London Breed, who said Tuesday she doesn't want the team to further complicate ongoing traffic problems caused by the construction of the Golden State Warriors' new arena.The Raiders' remaining options are to stay in Oakland or share Levi's Stadium with the 49ers, according to Rapoport. They are moving to Las Vegas in 2020 but the team is without a stadium deal for 2019.The initial plan was for the Raiders to stay in Oakland until the relocation, but negotiations were hurt after the city filed a federal antitrust lawsuit against the franchise over the upcoming move.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Atlanta Falcons have released cornerback Robert Alford, ending his six-season run with the team.Hours before the official announcement, Alford posted a goodbye to the city on Twitter.

Nick Foles' offseason saga has begun.After the Philadelphia Eagles reportedly informed Foles they intend to exercise the $20-million option in his contract for the 2019 season, the quarterback has notified the team that he'll void the option in an effort to become a free agent, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports, citing a source.Foles is required to pay back $2 million to buy out the last year of his deal. However, that doesn't guarantee his freedom.The Eagles could still place their franchise tag on the backup quarterback with the intention of trading him. The tag would cost roughly $25 million, and the asking price for Foles is reportedly a third-round pick.Teams can begin franchise tagging players on Feb. 19 and have until March 5 to make those decisions.The Eagles have publicly declared they believe in Carson Wentz as the starting quarterback going forward, signaling the likely end of Foles' two-year stint in Philly that includes being named Super Bowl LII MVP.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

theScore's Justin Boone is coming off his sixth top-10 finish in FantasyPros' Most Accurate Expert Competition.Scroll down to see his updated 2019 rankings for both standard and PPR leagues. Rookies will be added following the NFL draft in April.Standard

It seems any NFL team with a head coaching vacancy this year was searching for the next Sean McVay.The Cincinnati Bengals took the next best thing in McVay's now-former quarterbacks coach with the Los Angeles Rams, Zac Taylor.The Bengals officially introduced Taylor as their new coach Tuesday and he tried to temper expectations that he'll arrive in Cincinnati as the second coming of Los Angeles' 33-year-old offensive wunderkind."If I try to be Sean McVay, I'm going to fail," Taylor said, according to ESPN's Katherine Terrell. "To be quite honest with you, we're different people. I've learned a lot from him, but I'm going to be Zac Taylor and do the best I can my way. And not my way, it's the Cincinnati Bengals way, right?"McVay became the youngest coach in modern NFL history when the Rams hired him in 2017. As the offensive play-caller, he helped Los Angeles rank second in offense and points scored in 2018. The Bengals ranked 26th and 17th in those respective categories.Taylor, 35, will also call plays with the Bengals, but that is likely where the similarities will end between the two."Sean is a very dynamic personality. He walks in front of a room and he energizes that room," Taylor said. "And that's Sean's personality. I'm a little more reserved. That's just the way that I am."So I'm not going to try to be Sean. Sean is spectacular in his own way and I'm going to do it the way I feel most comfortable with and has got me to this point."Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

NFL offenses beware: two-time defending Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald has promised to be even better next season.The Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle was the most dominant defender in football the past two seasons and, according to Donald, 2019 should be no different."That's just my mindset. Never allow yourself to be satisfied or comfortable," Donald said in his exit interview Tuesday, according to Rich Hammond of the Orange County Register. "As long as I stay like that, stay hungry, I'll be fine. I'm definitely going to come back next year better than I was."Donald recorded 11 sacks and five forced fumbles in just 14 games in 2017. This season, he led the league in sacks with 20.5, the most by an interior lineman in NFL history.The 27-year-old has enjoyed enormous success despite skipping training camp in each of the past two seasons due to contract disputes. Donald apparently intends to end that streak this summer:

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay adhered to a familiar script Tuesday, insisting Todd Gurley's reduced role in the postseason wasn't related to an injury."I think the ideal scenario that we had gone into the playoffs with was what you saw in Dallas, where it was both (Gurley and C.J. Anderson) getting involved," McVay told reporters as the Rams cleared out their lockers.Gurley averaged just 10.6 carries over his final five games of the season, including three playoff tilts. He received 19.4 carries over the first 12 games of the campaign. He missed two contests at the end of the regular season due to a knee injury, which is when the Rams signed Anderson.Both McVay and Gurley insisted throughout the playoffs that the running back wasn't physically limited. The Pro Bowler rushed for 35 yards on 10 attempts in the Rams' 13-3 Super Bowl LIII loss to the New England Patriots."We had gone into the game saying we wanted to get both guys involved, and then as a result of us not being quite as efficient or being able to convert on those third downs, it just limits those (opportunities)," McVay said.Gurley, oddly, played second fiddle to Anderson throughout the playoffs. He ran just four times for 10 yards and a touchdown in the NFC championship and took seven fewer handoffs than Anderson in the divisional round.McVay said he isn't aware of any surgery on the offseason docket for Gurley, who declined to speak with the media before exiting the team facility for the offseason.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL season began with a flurry of offense, the promise of shattered scoring records, and the emergence of new superstars. In the end, some of those expectations were met, but the old guard was still standing triumphantly after a historically low-scoring Super Bowl.These are the biggest lessons we learned in 2018:For coaches and QBs, age is just a numberSean McVay is just 33 years old. Maybe you've heard.But McVay was thoroughly outclassed in the Super Bowl by the oldest head coach to win a championship, 66-year-old Bill Belichick.And the oldest quarterback to win a title, 41-year-old Tom Brady, vastly outplayed Jared Goff, 24, in a game that featured the largest age gap between Super Bowl starters.Was the NFL's youth movement a lie? Were the recent McVay-adjacent head coaching hires of Zac Taylor (age 35), Matt LaFleur (39), and Kliff Kingsbury (39) mistakes?Or, maybe Brady discovered the fountain of youth in a diet and fitness regime he says could keep him playing until 45, while Belichick's deep well of dark magic stubbornly refuses to run dry.If there's any takeaway here, it's that we need to stop making such a big deal out of birthdates for the game's two most important jobs: quarterbacks and coaches. The window for high-level success has been pushed open at both ends.Rookie passers enter the NFL better equipped for immediate success as pro and college schemes converge. On the other end, careers are lengthened by sustained health and increasingly rapid recoveries as sports science improves.Consider 23-year-old Patrick Mahomes, the regular-season MVP in his first year as a starter, whose Super Bowl dreams were ended by Brady in a contest that featured the biggest age difference between starting passers in postseason history (18 years, one month). Or 21-year-old Lamar Jackson, the youngest quarterback to start a playoff game, whose team was dispatched by 37-year-old Philip Rivers.With stars emerging earlier and sticking around longer, the NFL's age of broken records is upon us.- WoodsRookie QBs should start from Day 1Diamond Images / Diamond Images / GettyThe Browns needed to watch Tyrod Taylor get hurt in his third start before they were willing to let Baker Mayfield run the offense. The first overall pick went on to lead Cleveland to win seven times as many games as it did over the previous two seasons combined, all while enduring a midseason coaching change. If Mayfield started all 16 contests, the Browns might have made the playoffs.In a moment of madness, the Bills named turnover machine Nathan Peterman the season-opening starter over Josh Allen, then reversed course after just one week. Allen went on to lead the team in rushing while embarking on the difficult journey of harnessing - and then mastering - his rare gifts as a passer. The flashes of potential he showed will sustain Bills fans through a long and cold winter. (Peterman probably won't play professional football again.)The Cardinals paid Sam Bradford nearly $14 million for three dismal starts before finally turning things over to Josh Rosen. Bradford didn't even stick on the roster as a token mentor. Rosen struggled mightily in his rookie year, but at least the Cardinals have some idea of whether the quarterback position is a need at No. 1 in the 2019 draft. That $14 million would have been better spent on weapons for Rosen, blockers for Rosen, better coaches for Rosen, or maybe just some really shiny cleats for Rosen.This notion that a rookie passer is best served sitting behind a stopgap starter isn't just antiquated, it's idiotic. To learn pro football, you must play pro football, and not only on Sundays but in practice, as well. There will be bumps along the way, of course, but if a rookie can't emerge from the NFL's trial by fire stronger than from which he started, why are you drafting him in the first place?But you may ask, what about Patrick Mahomes? The 2018 MVP sat for all but one game as a rookie and seemed to benefit.Consider the Chiefs' opportunity cost and what Mahomes didn't accomplish in that year. He went 34-of-54 for 390 yards, four touchdowns, and zero interceptions in a dazzling 2017 preseason. The Chiefs looked at those numbers and decided their best course of action was adherence to a succession plan that involved burning a year of Mahomes' rookie deal and letting Alex Smith start and eventually crash out of the playoffs one last time.It's a shame we don't know if Mahomes would be a two-time MVP with 32 starts on his resume.- WoodsIt's time to re-evaluate paying certain QBsMark Brown / Getty Images Sport / GettyFrom the moment a quarterback establishes himself as a capable starter, teams are forced to look ahead and plan for a monster extension. The way things are going, even an average starter can command at least $25 million annually. Those deemed to be a tier above - but not necessarily among the league's elite - have the leverage to approach the $30-million mark. And it won't be long before that player is making much more.With this reality comes a discussion about the window that teams have with young quarterbacks still on their rookie deals. If there are only so many years in which you can avoid having that albatross of a contract on your roster and thus are free to spend more elsewhere, you better capitalize on that flexibility. But, what if a few forward-thinking teams found a way to extend that window, or, better yet, create a new one entirely?By all means, if your team has an elite quarterback, you pay him. It's the most important position in the sport. Pay Mahomes and Deshaun Watson whatever you need to pay them and figure the rest out later. However, if you've got a looming contract negotiation for a QB who isn't among the league's best but can still command a deal in that $30-million annual range, perhaps it's worth re-evaluating.Take Goff and Mitchell Trubisky as the primary examples looking ahead. Maybe they will take the step toward elite territory in the coming seasons and make this whole idea look ridiculous. But neither quarterback is anywhere near that level right now. L.A. and Chicago enjoyed the success they did this season largely because of rosters loaded with talent. The quarterback for each club was a piece, not the piece. With smart head coaches at the helm, both of whom run systems that prop up their signal-callers (who, by the way, neither of them drafted), is it possible these teams could go against conventional wisdom?Think about it, what's better for the Rams?

Although the Oakland Raiders are speaking to the San Francisco Giants about sharing Oracle Park for the 2019 NFL season, San Francisco mayor London Breed does not want the NFL franchise in her city."As far as I'm concerned, the Oakland Raiders should play in Oakland," Breed said to KTVU's Lisa Fernandez on Tuesday.The Raiders are without a stadium deal for the 2019 season and are scheduled to move to Las Vegas for 2020. The team had played at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum since 1995 but the City of Oakland filed a federal antitrust suit against the team over their upcoming move, nullifying the agreement to play at the stadium for their final year in the city.The Golden State Warriors are currently playing their final season in Oakland and are scheduled to move to Chase Center in San Francisco - a venue that is currently under construction - for the 2019-20 NBA season. Breed said she doesn't want the Raiders in San Francisco due to ongoing traffic problems caused by the construction of the Warriors' new arena."We don't need another layer to add to what we already have - and that's an area that's really congested, filled with construction, and will host a number of basketball and baseball games over the coming months," Breed said.The San Francisco mayor said she has told the Giants about her perspective.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown's involvement in a domestic dispute was investigated in mid-January, but he wasn't arrested, Florida police confirmed to TMZ Sports.According to TMZ's sources, a woman told the Hollywood Police Department in January that Brown committed some form of misconduct, though details of her report are unclear."The allegations are baseless and false," said Brown's lawyer, Darren Heitner, in a statement obtained by ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. "It’s unfortunate that the media is trying to use distractions like this and prior stories in an effort to tarnish my client’s name and reputation. We have no further comment."This news comes as the Steelers ponder the idea of trading Brown after tensions grew during Week 17 of the regular season, resulting in the wide receiver being benched for the team's final game.Brown, 30, had 1,297 yards and 15 touchdowns in 15 games this season. The seven-time Pro Bowler has spent his entire career in Pittsburgh.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tom Brady isn't receptive to fans and media personalities referring to him as the GOAT following his sixth career Super Bowl victory."I don't even like it, it makes me cringe," Brady said with a laugh to Michael Strahan of Good Morning America.The 41-year-old New England Patriots quarterback said he is driven by criticism and prefers being called "trash," "too old," or "too slow" so he can prove people wrong.Brady won his third MVP award in 2017 and was selected to his 14th Pro Bowl this year. He completed 65.8 percent of his passes for 4,355 yards and 29 touchdowns against 11 interceptions while leading the Patriots to an 11-5 record and the second seed in the AFC.In the postseason, he upped his completion percentage to 68 but managed to throw just two touchdowns while being intercepted three times.Brady and the Patriots have participated in four of the past five Super Bowls, winning three of them.The accomplished veteran again reiterated a desire to play until he's 45.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh says his team did a good job covering Julian Edelman on Sunday despite the New England Patriots wide receiver claiming Super Bowl LIII MVP honors."He's an elite player, plays hard, found some holes in our defense in the first half and pretty much the third quarter," Suh said, according to WEEI's Ryan Hannable. "In my opinion, just thinking back, we eliminated him, even though he got yardages. We just have to not allow points to get on the board and give our offense more opportunities to score."Edelman caught 10 of his 12 targets for 141 yards to lead all pass-catchers. He became just the seventh wideout to be named MVP of the big game, and first since Santonio Holmes accomplished the feat in Super Bowl XLIII.Despite the Rams' offense putting up just three points on the night, Suh, who finished the game with one solo tackle and a quarterback hit, says the defense should shoulder the blame for the loss."It's a cliche saying, but I think it's ultimately true: Defense wins championships," Suh said. "Their defense, in my opinion, outplayed us, held our offense to whatever and we didn't hold their offense to field goals like we talked about, stopping the run game."Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Prepare the duck boats.The New England Patriots will hold another victory parade, with the latest one scheduled to begin Tuesday at 11 a.m. ET in Boston.The Patriots will celebrate their win over the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII on Sunday. The parade route will run through the streets of Boston, ending at roughly 12:30 p.m. at city hall.

Super Bowl LIII drew an average of 98.2 million viewers during Sunday's broadcast and a 41.1 household rating, according to the Nielsen ratings, via John Ourand of the Sports Business Journal.Nielsen reported that 67 percent of U.S. homes with televisions in use watched the Super Bowl, while ESPN Deportes drew 473,000 viewers.

Warning: Video contains coarse languageA Twitter user whose mashup video of "SpongeBob SquarePants" and Travis Scott went viral in September has called out the NFL for not crediting him.Anthony Trucco, a UC Santa Barbara student, tweeted a video that combined a clip from the "SpongeBob" episode "Band Geeks" with audio from Scott's song "Sicko Mode," drawing responses from the official "SpongeBob" and Nickelodeon Twitter accounts.