A New Jersey court judge ruled that memorabilia fraud claims levied against New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning will go to trial, ESPN's Darren Rovell reported Thursday.A Bergen County judge ruled in June 2017 that Manning's trial would be delayed indefinitely. Initially, Manning's trial was scheduled for that month.A lawsuit was filed against Manning, claiming that he, in conjunction with the Giants, fraudulently sold fake game-used memorabilia.Manning vehemently refuted the allegations against him on several occasions.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Seven-time Pro Bowl defensive end Dwight Freeney retired Thursday as a member of the Indianapolis Colts, where he played his first 11 seasons, the organization announced.Freeney, who broke into the league as the 11th overall pick out of Syracuse in 2002, will go down as one of the best pass-rushers of his era. He ranks second on the Colts' all-time list with 107.5 sacks, trailing only his former pass-rushing mate Robert Mathis.His most productive season came in 2004 when he posted a career-high 16 sacks. Two seasons later, he helped the Colts win Super Bowl XLI over the Chicago Bears.

Speculation is ramping up with the 2018 NFL Draft only a week away. While every team brings a different strategy to the table, the perfect scenario is to land the best player available while also plugging a conspicuous roster hole. Let's play matchmaker for the NFC with one ideal pick for each club.AFC | NFCArizona CardinalsMason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma StateThe Cardinals have too many areas of need and too many quarterbacks on the roster to reach for a passer in Round 1. But as they take what appears to be a slow approach to rebuilding, they'll have time to develop a spread-system passer like Rudolph, who would be good value as a second-rounder.Atlanta FalconsDa'Ron Payne, DT, AlabamaThough they don't have any glaring holes in the lineup, the Falcons' biggest loss of the offseason was nose tackle Dontari Poe. Payne can fill a similar role on the defensive line, sucking up blocks and protecting against the run while Vic Beasley and Grady Jarrett rush the passer. Atlanta would likely need to use the 26th overall pick to land Payne.Carolina PanthersCalvin Ridley, WR, AlabamaThe Panthers need to give Cam Newton more to work with and their previous strategy of targeting big-body receivers hasn't resulted in much success. Ridley is a polished route-runner who consistently created separation against top competition at Alabama despite measuring at only 6 feet, 189 pounds. There's a chance he's off the board earlier, but pick No. 24 is the perfect slot to draft a player with Ridley's talent.Chicago BearsTremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia TechThe Bears are on the right track, but lack a stud linebacker to lead their defense. Edmunds is among the elite linebacker prospects in this draft and has arguably the most upside at his position. He's a freak athlete who can apprentice under veteran Danny Trevathan before the Bears need him to take charge in a few years.Dallas CowboysCourtland Sutton, WR, SMUIt makes too much sense. The Cowboys are without a prototypical No. 1 receiver after cutting Dez Bryant, and Sutton is a Texas native with the potential to develop into the best receiver in his class. Jerry Jones might draw some flak for reaching for a fairly raw athlete with the 19th pick - especially with needs at defensive tackle and linebacker - but the Cowboys owner has been known to buck conventional thinking.Detroit LionsMaurice Hurst, DT, MichiganAfter losing veteran nose tackle Haloti Ngata to the Eagles, the Lions have a void to fill in the middle of their defense with the 20th pick. Hurst spent the last three years creating disruption on Michigan's defensive line just down the road from Detroit. He'd be able to fill an every-down role with the Lions.Green Bay PackersJosh Jackson, CB, IowaThe Packers have one of the worst secondaries in the league. They need cornerbacks with decent size who can make plays on the ball and don't mind cold weather. Jackson checks all the boxes and should be available in the middle of Round 1.Los Angeles RamsDorance Armstrong Jr., DE, KansasThe Rams won't pick in the first three rounds, but they could use a pass-rusher off the edge with Aaron Donald and Ndamukong Suh in the middle. Armstrong showed pro-level skill at Kansas despite being surrounded by lesser talent - he won't have that problem in Los Angeles.Minnesota VikingsRonnie Harrison, S, AlabamaThere aren't many holes in Minnesota's vaunted defense, but the team should look to find a better safety pairing for All-Pro Harrison Smith. Harrison would provide a considerable upgrade at strong safety over Andrew Sendejo near the end of the first round.New Orleans SaintsSam Hubbard, DE, Ohio StateOver the past two drafts, Ohio State has given the Saints absolute studs at positions of need in receiver Michael Thomas, cornerback Marshon Lattimore, and safety Vonn Bell. New Orleans needs an edge rusher to line up opposite Cam Jordan this time around, and it can grab this Buckeye at No. 27.New York GiantsJosh Rosen, QB, UCLAThe last time the Giants picked in the top five, they landed two-time Super Bowl champion Eli Manning in a monumental swap with the Chargers. With Manning entering his 15th season, it's time to find a new face of the franchise. Rosen, with his outspoken demeanor, is the right signal-caller for the job.Philadelphia EaglesBo Scarbrough, RB, AlabamaThe Eagles are strong contenders to trade down from the 32nd overall pick, as they are without a second- or third-rounder. But there's no question what they should do with their fourth-round selection: find a replacement back for LeGarrette Blount, a key piece of their Super Bowl-winning roster. Bruising Alabama runner Scarbrough could slot right in.San Francisco 49ersRoquan Smith, LB, GeorgiaWith Reuben Foster's NFL career in doubt, the 49ers could use an every-down linebacker with star quality. As they adopt the Seattle Seahawks' version of a 4-3, Smith could play the Bobby Wagner role if Foster is out. If Foster does manager to remain on the roster, the pair would have the potential to be the best inside linebacker duo in the league.Seattle SeahawksMike McGlinchey, OT, Notre DameIt's no secret the Seahawks need help on the offensive line. McGlinchey has been heralded for his consistency, composure, and maturity - three traits Seattle's current set of blockers don't have enough of. He and veteran Duane Brown would be the steadiest set of offensive tackles Russell Wilson has had to work with.Tampa Bay BuccaneersMinkah Fitzpatrick, DB, AlabamaThe Buccaneers need help at safety and cornerback. They only have one first-round pick (No. 7), but, luckily, the Alabama product can play both and is considered by many to be the best defensive back in the draft. Tampa has gotten too cute with its picks over the last few years; this is one they shouldn't overthink.Washington RedskinsDerwin James, S, Florida StateIn a less-than-ideal scenario, Deshazor Everett is currently slotted to start at safety for Washington. James has been a staple in Florida State's back end, playing hard and consistently even while his team has struggled. Washington could help shed its "dysfunctional" label by choosing a future defensive anchor in James at No. 13.AFC | NFC(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With the 2018 NFL Draft only a week away, the Denver Broncos moved themselves into the middle of the national conversation Thursday as John Elway announced that the team is open to trading the fifth overall selection.Since a number of quarterbacks are expected to be selected within the first five picks, the Broncos will likely receive a number of offers from teams that need a top-level passer. The Buffalo Bills and Arizona Cardinals are among the organizations rumored to be interested in trading up for a quarterback.The Bills currently hold the 12th overall pick, with the Cardinals three behind them at No. 15.Elway also said the Broncos may stay at the No. 5 slot and draft the best available player at any position.Denver addressed its short-term need for a starting pivot by signing Case Keenum in the offseason, but could still opt to take the passer of the future at No. 5.Coming off a 5-11 season, the Broncos have a number of holes to fill on the roster, and could decide they're better served by trading out and accumulating a number of selections.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles will reportedly kick off the 2018 NFL season by hosting the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday, Sept. 6, at Lincoln Financial Field, according to Philly.com's Jeff McLane.The matchup would continue the NFL's tradition of having the reigning Super Bowl winner open the season at home since 2004.There had been speculation that the Eagles would play the Minnesota Vikings in the opener, but McLane added that the NFC Championship Game rematch won't happen until Week 5.Philadelphia defeated Atlanta 15-10 in the NFC's divisional round this past season. The upcoming opener would be the third time these teams have met in Week 1 since 2005.The full NFL schedule will be released at 8 p.m. on Thursday. The Eagles have already announced the date for their game in London, England, against the Jacksonville Jaguars, which is scheduled for Oct. 28 at Wembley Stadium.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After the New York Giants announced the release of Brandon Marshall on Thursday, it didn't take long for someone to ask general manager Dave Gettleman about the possibility of signing free-agent wide receiver Dez Bryant."We're interested in everybody," Gettleman responded, according to Jordan Raanan of ESPN.Marshall's release leaves Odell Beckham Jr., Sterling Shepard, and Roger Lewis as the top three names on the Giants' receiving depth chart. They're joined by tight end Evan Engram, who led the team in receptions and touchdowns with Beckham and Marshall injured in 2017.Related - Bryant excited by idea of joining Beckham, Giants: 'That'd be crazy'Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Speaking at his pre-draft press conference Thursday, New York Giants general manager Dave Gettleman appeared to offer some insight into his team's draft-day decision process.Despite links to multiple quarterbacks atop next week's draft, Gettleman was quick to point out the risk of selecting a signal-caller."When you're picking this high, if you make a mistake... (and) you miss on a quarterback... you probably hurt the franchise for five years," Gettleman said, via NFL Network's Andrew Siciliano. "It's a five-year mistake."The Giants currently own the second overall pick and will have plenty of high-quality options whether they take a quarterback or not.Gettleman added he has not made up his mind on which prospect to select, saying: "With the second pick, I'm sitting at Ben and Jerry's and I have a lot of different flavors to look at."One player linked to New York is Penn State running back Saquon Barkley, a consensus top-five prospect. Gettleman appeared enamored with the athletic ball-carrier."He’s a tremendous talent, I’m not going to lie," he said, via NFL Network's Kimberly Jones. "He’s one of those guys my mother could have scouted."Adding to speculation the Giants could pass on a first-round quarterback next week, Gettleman continued to support current starter Eli Manning, saying he still has "plenty of arm" and is taking great care of himself heading into 2018.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Giants have released veteran wide receiver Brandon Marshall.A failed physical designation was applied to Marshall's release, Giants general manager Dave Gettleman told Dan Duggan of The Athletic.

It appears Peyton Manning's hesitancy to broadcast games featuring his brother Eli was part of the reason the NFL legend turned down offers to join a network booth this season.Sources told Andrew Marchand of the New York Post that Peyton's desire to avoid games involving his brother was so strong that FOX planned to work to ensure the New York Giants didn't play on Thursday night this year if the elder Manning signed a contract.He ultimately decided against the move for this season, despite reportedly receiving very lucrative offers.Sources told Marchand that ESPN offered Manning the same $6.5 million salary as Jon Gruden for the 20-game Monday Night Football schedule, while FOX was willing to give the 42-year-old a four-year deal worth $16 million for the 11-game Thursday Night Football package.It seems Manning will always be coveted for an analyst job, but recent developments suggest he will probably wait until Eli has retired before taking a spot in a booth.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With the 2018 NFL Draft just one week away, speculation about who the Cleveland Browns will select with the first overall pick is only increasing. General manager John Dorsey, however, won't show his hand just yet.Speaking at a pre-draft press conference Thursday, Dorsey wouldn't say whether the team has completely settled on its choice."The draft is seven days away," Dorsey said, according to ESPN's Pat McManamon. "I'm very confident where we are in the process."Cleveland's general manager is considering "all options" - including trading the pick or selecting Penn State running back Saquon Barkley."Absolutely," Dorsey answered when asked if he had considered picking Barkley first overall, according to Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot. "Why wouldn't I? The guy's a really good football player. You can't have enough good football players."However, it's widely expected that the Browns will select either Sam Darnold or Josh Allen at No. 1.MMQB's Peter King previously reported that Cleveland will select Allen, citing a "friend of Dorsey." The Browns executive cast doubt on King's source, asking, "Who is 'friend of Dorsey'? I go dark at this time of year.''Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are clearly thinking minimalist going forward, judging by their newly released jerseys for the 2018 season.Hailing a "Return of Tradition", the new uniforms are very similar to the team's original look from the mid-1990s.

The Jaguars have backed off from the bold.Jacksonville unveiled its new uniform collection Thursday, featuring block numbers and the return of the black helmet. The new set includes an all-white look, black home jerseys, and a teal alternate that can be worn twice during the season and another time under the Color Rush campaign.

As owners of the No. 1 and No. 4 picks in the upcoming draft, the Cleveland Browns have considered all of their options - including selecting two quarterbacks high in the draft, reports Kevin Clark of The Ringer.Clark directly asked multiple members of the Browns organization whether they'd considered the strategy."The answer is yes," Clark wrote. "The people I asked have thought about it, discussed it, and investigated it. This is not to say it will happen."The Browns have gone through quarterbacks at a frightening pace since the early 1990s, and are finally in a position to end that era under new general manager John Dorsey. It only makes sense for the team to go over all possible scenarios before Cleveland's on the clock April 26.Dorsey hasn't ruled out trading the No. 1 or No. 4 pick either. The Browns also have three selections in the second round."I'm going to consider all options ... I'm going to do what's best for this organization ... I still have seven days ... my phone, the power is still on," Dorsey said Thursday, according to Daryl Ruiter of 92.3TheFan in Cleveland.There is precedent for selecting two quarterbacks in one draft class. In one of the most high-profile examples, the Washington Redskins traded up to select Robert Griffin III with the second overall pick in 2012 and then drafted his backup, Kirk Cousins, in the fourth round.The move ultimately blew up in their faces. Griffin won Rookie of the Year, but struggled with Cousins looming over his shoulder. Griffin was eventually shipped out and Washington installed Cousins as the starter - until he was deemed too expensive to keep and allowed to sign the richest contract in NFL history with the Minnesota Vikings this offseason.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Detroit Lions and New York Jets will apparently open the 2018 season under the Monday night lights.The Lions and Jets will face off on Monday Night Football in Week 1, reports Brian Costello of the New York Post.At first glance, these clubs would seem to be odd choices for the primetime spotlight. The Jets finished last in the AFC East with a 5-11 record last year, the Lions also missed the playoffs despite going 9-7, and neither club is being talked up as a playoff contender.However, since the Jets hold the No. 3 overall draft pick, they should enter the year with a shiny new addition - one very well could be a high-profile quarterback.For the Lions, meanwhile, Matt Patricia will make his head coaching debut after spending the past 13 years as an assistant with the New England Patriots.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt was named one of Time Magazine's 100 most influential people in the world, the publication announced Thursday.Watt took a leadership role during the flooding in Houston caused by Hurricane Harvey in 2017. He helped raise more than $37 million for recovery efforts."Every few years, a professional athlete touches the heart and soul of a city in a way that has nothing to do with athleticism. Such is the case with Houston Texans star J.J. Watt, who is a star on and off the field," Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner wrote in Watt's top 100 bio."Hurricane Harvey was a historic storm that dumped more than 50 inches of rain, damaged more than 300,000 homes, and shattered lives. As Houston's mayor, I led the response and resiliency efforts. But government can't do everything for everyone. J.J. tackled Harvey's destruction the same way he obliterates his opponents on the football field. ..."Who knows? After I leave office, J.J. Watt could be drafted as the next mayor of Houston."Watt is one of a half-dozen athletes on this year's list.He was honored with the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in February.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A vote by 25 NFL agents chose the San Francisco 49ers as the team that is best prepared during contract negotiations.The agents, who were polled by Jarrett Bell and Lindsay H. Jones of USA Today Sports, had the 49ers at the No. 1 spot, followed by the Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots, Denver Broncos and Green Bay Packers.The 49ers' position on the list speaks volumes about the job that general manager John Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan have done in just over a year on the scene.On the other end of the spectrum, the Cincinnati Bengals were voted the worst-prepared team during contract negotiations, followed by the Cleveland Browns, Washington Redskins, and Chicago Bears.The agents were also asked which team decision-maker they respected the most, and trusted the least.Baltimore Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome, who is retiring after the 2018 season, topped the list of the most respected. Patriots boss Bill Belichick was second followed by John Schneider of the Seattle Seahawks, with Chris Ballard of the Indianapolis Colts, Kevin Colbert of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Les Snead of the Los Angeles Rams all tied for fourth.Agents identified Washington team president Bruce Allen as the decision-maker they trust the least, just ahead of Miami Dolphins vice-president of football operations Mike Tannenbaum, Broncos general manager John Elway, and Bengals owner Mike Brown.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

theScore goes division by division to identify the biggest positional needs for all 32 NFL teams entering the 2018 draft, which will be held from April 26-28.AFC

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is seeking a new contract before the 2018 season and plans to return to the team, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo reports.Other reports say Brady has yet to commit to returning this season, but teammates reportedly say he has been in discussions about the 2018 campaign."Tom Brady is going to play in 2018," Rapoport said on NFL Network. "He said it. Everyone close to him has said it. Everyone I've spoken to has said it. The Patriots are going forward with the very strict and stern belief that he will be playing for 2018."Brady's current deal is up after the 2019 season and the Patriots have typically extended his contract with two years remaining. The 40-year-old has an annual salary of $14 million with a $22-million cap hit the next two seasons. The issue is not considered pressing right now, according to Garafolo, but it is something Brady is interested renegotiating.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Any bad blood between James Harrison and the Pittsburgh Steelers appears to be a thing of the past."There were a lot of things said, and I think a lot of guys said things because, hey, they were hurt, and when you're hurt you say things you may not normally say," he told Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Wednesday, two days after announcing his retirement from the NFL.A longtime and celebrated member of the Steelers, Harrison orchestrated his release from the club late last season before signing with the rival New England Patriots to finish the campaign. The move was met with resentment, to say the least, from fans and ex-teammates in Pittsburgh."If you go now, you see players say how James Harrison 'helped me so much, I wouldn't be the same player,' etc," Harrison said. "You have to look at the situation, what happened, then you have to understand who is saying what, and the fact no one else is coming out and agreeing with it."When he was released by the Steelers last year, Harrison said he harbored no ill will toward the franchise for which he holds the all-time sack record."I have no problem with the Steelers family," he reiterated Wednesday. "I have no problem with the Rooneys. They made a business decision that was best for their organization. I made a business decision that was best for me and family at the time. We went our separate ways."Fans get mad because they're stuck with a team, one team, that's their team. At the end of the day, it's a business. Yes, you have loyalties to teams, but when it comes down to it, it's a job, and when your job fires you, you need to find another job."Harrison will celebrate his 40th birthday in May. He said Patriots coach Bill Belichick talked to him about playing another year, but the strain of being away from his family for another extended period of time led him to opt for retirement.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After whiffing on Peyton Manning and rolling through a list of other potential candidates, ESPN could zero in on Kurt Warner as the next analyst for Monday Night Football.Warner has had multiple discussions with ESPN about the position and is under "serious consideration" for the role, a source told A.J. Perez and Jeff Zillgitt of USA TODAY Sports.The two-time NFL MVP has served as a studio analyst for NFL Network since hanging up his cleats in 2010. If hired by ESPN, he'd fill the spot vacated by Oakland Raiders coach Jon Gruden.Related: Brett Favre reportedly flunked MNF tryoutESPN reportedly made a run at Manning for the position, but "The Sheriff" decided to put a potential broadcasting career on the back burner.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Two of the Chicago Bears' most iconic players of the 2000s - running back Matt Forte and kick returner Devin Hester - will sign one-day contracts Monday to officially finish their careers at Halas Hall, the team announced.Both players were selected in the second round of the draft - Hester in 2006 and Forte in 2008 - and went on to spend the first eight years of their respective careers in Chicago.Hester built a reputation as one of the all-time great kick returners with the Bears, eventually becoming the career leader in total return touchdowns with 20 as well as punt-return touchdowns with 14. He went on to play for the Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, and Seattle Seahawks and was named to the NFL's All-Decade team of the 2000s.Forte was a force for the Bears throughout his career, breaking out with a team rookie record of 1,715 scrimmage yards in his first season and finishing his time in Chicago with the second-most career rushing yards in franchise history. He was selected to two Pro Bowls as a member of the Bears and recorded over 1,200 scrimmage yards in all eight seasons before spending his last two years with the New York Jets.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell did not report for the team's voluntary offseason workouts this week, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.Fowler added that Bell is currently working out in Miami on his own. The All-Pro running back was widely expected to stay away from the Steelers amid franchise-tag negotiations. The two sides have until July 16 to hammer out a long-term deal.Bell was opposed to receiving another one-year contract, but general manager Kevin Colbert said in March he remained hopeful the ball-carrier would attend training camp.Bell's 1,946 all-purpose yards in 2017 ranked second in the NFL. The franchise tag will pay him $14.544 million for the upcoming season.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is pursuing a non-football endeavor, after all.Gronkowski, who's expected to return to the Patriots for the 2018 season following rampant rumors of retirement and a potential career move to acting or the WWE, has acquired a minority stake in a 3-year-old colt that shares his name.

Football players from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and the family of assistant coach Aaron Feis will announce the Miami Dolphins' Day 3 draft selections on April 28, according to the Sun Sentinel's Wes Dusenbury.Feis was one of 17 people killed in the Stoneman Douglas shooting in February. In recent years, the NFL has allowed teams to choose who represents the club for its late-round selections. Feis' family and 18 seniors from his football team will help continue this tradition.The Dolphins were one of many pro sports teams that made a connection to the school. The franchise donated $100,000 to the Stoneman Douglas community, while its coaching staff donated an additional $17,500 to Feis’ family.All of Miami's Day 3 picks will be announced at the team's practice facility in Davie, Fla., and will fall in the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh rounds.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

theScore goes division by division to identify the biggest positional needs for all 32 NFL teams entering the 2018 draft, which will be held from April 26-28.AFC

It's business as usual for Tom Brady, according to a pair of New England Patriots teammates.Two Patriots informed Michael Giardi of NBC Sports Boston that they've had discussions with their quarterback, which have included preparations for the upcoming season. Brady has also never indicated to them that he plans to retire.ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Wednesday morning that Brady has yet to commit to returning for the 2018 season, though those close to him believe he'll keep playing.Brady has thus far missed the Patriots' voluntary offseason workout program, as he was recently in Qatar with his family. His teammates say he continues to follow his workout regimen and diet, even when he was away.Both Brady's and tight end Rob Gronkowski's future with the Patriots has been the subject of much discussion early in the offseason, but neither camp has provided word that they won't be back in Foxborough when required.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tennessee Titans general manager Jon Robinson said the team is planning to exercise the fifth-year option on quarterback Marcus Mariota's rookie contract, according to Paul Kuharsky of Midday 180.The second overall pick of the 2015 draft is currently under contract for the upcoming season at a cap hit of just over $7.7 million.He'll earn $20.922 million in 2019 under the option.Mariota has completed 61.8 percent of his 1,274 passing attempts for 9,476 yards and 58 touchdowns over 42 regular-season games through his first three seasons. He's thrown 34 interceptions but added 913 rushing yards and nine scores on the ground.He led the Titans to the divisional round of the 2017 postseason, which they lost to the New England Patriots by a score of 35-14.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Saquon Barkley and his army of supporters believe the star running back has the potential to become the next face of the NFL, but the Penn State product's handlers are reportedly concerned he might not accomplish that goal if the Cleveland Browns draft him.Six weeks ahead of the 2018 NFL Draft, Barkley spent time with Sports Illustrated's Ben Baskin and discussed the transcendent talent's lofty hopes - among them being the No. 1 overall pick on April 26. The Browns own both the first and fourth pick in the draft. That's a problem, according to Barkley's agency, Roc Nation."His Roc Nation handlers ... don't want him to be taken No. 1. They don't want him in Cleveland," Baskin reports. "They want him to go second to the Giants and play in the media capital of the world. That's where you can become the face of the league."Barkley himself has stated no such thing. He's reportedly been telling close friends that if he's selected by the Browns and brings a championship to Cleveland, as LeBron James did with the NBA's Cavaliers, he'd be exalted as a hero.According to Baskin, Barkley's manager "implored" the prospect to do as Eli Manning once did and demand that the team with the first pick doesn't draft him so he can wind up in New York.Roc Nation subsequently denied that its representatives ever gave Barkley such advice."I can say on behalf of our entire team that we would be thrilled for Saquon to go to whichever team drafts him," agent Kim Miale told Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com on Wednesday.Roc Nation built a 15-person team around Barkley with the intent of carving out a niche for him in football's marketing machine."The thing I want to do is build an image around myself. And do that safely and smartly," said the superstar of March's combine.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Super Bowl was a major test of Carson Wentz's mettle.The Philadelphia Eagles' young star quarterback had to watch from the sidelines as the team won the first Lombardi Trophy in franchise history without him.Through 13 weeks of the regular season, Wentz had established himself as an MVP favorite, but then tore his ACL and LCL just four weeks before the playoffs. The train rolled on without him, as the Eagles and backup quarterback Nick Foles ultimately triumphed over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII.On Tuesday, Wentz admitted it was difficult to not contribute on the field down the final stretch, and to watch Foles - with whom he has a strong relationship - lead the charge instead."You've got to fight that. It's human nature to want to be on that podium and be that guy," Wentz said, per ESPN's Tim McManus."You grow up wanting to do that as a kid, but to not be able to be up there, I would not rather have anyone else be up there than Nick."Wentz is set to become the starter once again this season, provided he's recovered from his knee injury. He indicated that his bond with Foles should help ease the transition."He (Foles) and I - we've been so close ever since he first got here and just developed a real friendship, a real relationship, more than just a working relationship, a true friendship between me and him and really (third quarterback Nate Sudfeld) as well," Wentz said. "A really special (quarterback) room. So to go through that experience last year was pretty cool."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tom Brady reportedly has yet to commit to playing in 2018, even though people who know the New England Patriots quarterback believe he will be back, league sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Wednesday.Brady has said repeatedly that he wants to continue playing well into his mid-40s, but sources said some people around him would prefer that he retire.Brady, who turns 41 in August, was not in attendance for the start of the Patriots' offseason program this week. It's not the first time the star pivot has missed the voluntary workouts, as Brady didn't attend in 2008, 2009, or 2010.The 13-time Pro Bowler reportedly plans to spend more time this offseason with his personal trainer, Alex Guerrero. Brady's private workouts with Guerrero have caused some friction with head coach Bill Belichick, who's banned the trainer from the Patriots' sideline.If Brady retires so soon, it would certainly come as a surprise to New England after the club traded his expected successor, Jimmy Garoppolo, to the San Francisco 49ers last October. The only other quarterback on the roster is Brian Hoyer, who inked a three-year deal with the team at the trade deadline last year.Regardless of the Brady news, the Patriots were expected to target a quarterback in next week's draft, as they currently hold two first-round and two second-round picks.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL draft is only three days long, but many front-office jobs hang in the balance for that period. One first-round mistake can cost a general manager his job, while an early-round hit and a late-round diamond in the rough could result in long-term job security.Unfortunately, draft success isn't easy. Fourteen teams have changed general managers since 2014, and many of their fates were sealed by poor draft-day decisions. A number of GMs have thrived during the selection process, however, building their teams into perennial playoff contenders.Below are the teams that have been most and least successful in recent drafts. The 2013-2017 editions were taken into consideration, with emphasis on the last three years.BestAtlanta FalconsBased on their last five draft classes, it's easy to see how the Falcons elevated their franchise from a 10-22 combined record from 2013-14 to a playoff contender and NFC champion. General manager Thomas Dimitroff deserves a ton of credit for building both the offense and defense.Their first-round hits include Desmond Trufant (2013), Vic Beasley (2015), and Keanu Neal (2016). There's also 2014 sixth overall pick Jake Matthews, who has evolved into a dependable left tackle after an unimpressive rookie season. Atlanta also discovered value on Day 2, with cornerback Robert Alford in 2013 and running back Tevin Coleman in 2015.Where the Falcons separate from their peers, however, is their ability to discover gems on the draft's third day. Devonta Freeman was a fourth-round pick (2014), as was starting linebacker De'Vondre Campbell (2016). Dimitroff also hit in the fifth round with free safety Ricardo Allen in 2014 and stud defensive tackle Grady Jarrett in 2015.Atlanta's only significant misses over the last five drafts were Ra'Shede Hageman in 2014 and Jalen Collins in 2015. Hagemen was never productive after being selected with the 37th overall pick, while Collins - also a second-rounder - is out of the league after multiple suspensions.Dallas CowboysThe Cowboys have taken a "safe" approach in recent drafts, opting for the best player available instead of filling immediate needs. It's worked, especially on the offensive line. All-Pros Travis Frederick (2013) and Zack Martin (2014) were both selected outside of the top 15.Starting safety Byron Jones (2015) and 2016 leading rusher Ezekiel Elliott were also successful first-round picks, and Dallas found success in the second round with terrorizing pass-rusher DeMarcus Lawrence in 2014 and linebacker Jaylon Smith in 2016, who looks to be fully healthy after suffering a scary knee injury in college. Of course, the Cowboys' most recent draft success story is 2016 fourth-round pick Dak Prescott. Defensive back picks Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis, meanwhile, were impactful as rookies last season. The jury is still out on first-round defensive end Taco Charlton.Jerry Jones' draft failures in recent years are few and far between. Only second-rounders Gavin Escobar (2013) and Randy Gregory (2015) stand out, with the latter creating more headlines off the field than on it.New Orleans SaintsThe Saints did miss on a few prospects in 2014 and 2015 (namely Stephone Anthony and cornerback Stanley Jean-Baptiste), but their last two draft classes are second to none. New Orleans had six selections on the first two days last year, and five of them were excellent in their first season. We all know Alvin Kamara (third round) and Marshon Lattimore (first round, 11th overall), the reigning offensive and defensive rookies of the year, but offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk also played well after being selected 32nd overall. Second-round safety Marcus Williams' blunder at the end of the Vikings-Saints playoff game is well-documented, but he had an otherwise solid rookie campaign.Michael Thomas was an absolute steal for Mickey Loomis and Co. in the second round in 2016. Through his first two seasons, he has accumulated 196 catches and 14 touchdowns. The Saints also discovered a Day 2 gem in 2013 left tackle Terron Armstead.Honorable mentionJacksonville Jaguars - The Jaguars have built their defense through the draft, including later-round steals Yannick Ngakoue and Telvin Smith, but their Blake Bortles (third overall) and Luke Joeckel (second overall) whiffs place them just below the top three.WorstNew York JetsThe Jets switched general managers three times since 2013, so it's not surprising to see them atop the list of the worst drafting teams. From 2013-2015, New York missed on Geno Smith (second round), Brian Winters (third round), Dee Milliner (first round), Jace Amaro (second round), Devin Smith (second round), and Calvin Pryor (first round). That's too many misses for a team intending to compete in the AFC East.Their last two drafts weren't much better. The Jets' selection of quarterback Christian Hackenberg in 2016's second round still leaves many scratching their heads. Their first-round pick that year, linebacker Darron Lee, has at least seen the field, but he's been swallowed up in run defense and has been equally poor in coverage since entering the lineup.Cleveland Browns The Browns are easily the least shocking inclusion here. Cleveland has a staggering five whiffs on first-round selections over the last five drafts. These include Barkevious Mingo (sixth overall, 2013), Justin Gilbert (eighth overall, 2014), Johnny Manziel (2014), Cameron Erving (2015), and Danny Shelton (2015), who the team traded to New England on his rookie contract. Corey Coleman is a poor 2018 season away from being added to this list. The Browns have struggled on Day 2 as well, missing on Leon McFadden (2013), Terrance West (2014), Xavier Cooper (2015), Cody Kessler (2016), and DeShone Kizer (2017). For those scoring at home, that's three quarterbacks that didn't pan out - a franchise-altering stat.While Cleveland did have a few recent draft hits, including Joel Bitonio, Myles Garrett, and Christian Kirksey, they weren't enough to rectify their mistakes.Baltimore RavensThere are three NFC teams on our "Best" list and three AFC clubs on our "Worst." The Ravens are the last to feature in this section, which may surprise many. Ozzie Newsome is among the top general managers this century, but his recent drafts are littered with busts. This is especially true on the offensive side of the ball, where Newsome has been incapable of drafting weapons for quarterback Joe Flacco. Tight ends Crockett Gillmore (now an offensive lineman) and Maxx Williams were failed Day 2 experiments in 2014 and 2015, respectively. The biggest miss in Baltimore over the last five years, though, is unquestionably wide receiver Breshad Perriman, chosen 26th overall in 2015. He has just 43 catches over three seasons while battling injuries and inconsistent play.The Ravens' defensive draft classes don't exactly make up for their offensive struggles. Day 2 selections Kamalei Correa and Bronson Kaufusi (2016) haven't made an impact. The 2013 draft was even worse. Newsome and Co. selected safety Matt Elam in the first round and linebacker Arthur Brown in the second. Both players lasted just three seasons with the club.Baltimore's poor draft classes are the primary reason the team has only one postseason appearance since its 2013 Super Bowl victory.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller denies having done anything wrong when on a shark fishing trip last month after being included in an investigation by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.In his first public comments on Tuesday since the incident in question, Miller says he was "shocked" to have caught a hammerhead shark at all and that he later released the animal back into the water after snapping a photo, according to The Associated Press."I went fishing. Everybody knows that I hunt and fish. It's what I do. But I also believe in conservation. I'm not just out there going crazy," Miller said. "We followed the rules. I did everything I was supposed to do."Miller says he has not yet been contacted by the commission, nor has he discussed the matter with anyone else."I haven't talked to anybody about it. It's a serious deal. I don't want to be light-hearted about it," Miller said. "That's just me. But we did everything we were supposed to do when it comes to that situation."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett seemed unaffected Tuesday by the parting shot from Dez Bryant, who blamed his release four days earlier on a group of players he labeled "Garrett guys.""It's a challenging situation. A lot of different factors go into these kind of decisions," Garrett told The Dallas Morning News' Jon Machota of the Bryant release. "The guidepost for all this is what's in the best interest of the Dallas Cowboys. We wish Dez nothing but the best going forward. He's a special guy. I love him."Based on the comments Bryant made after his contract was terminated by Dallas, Garrett's love for the three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver seems unrequited. Bryant, who clashed with Garrett a number of times over the last eight years, said after he was cut that the Cowboys' front office was influenced by certain team captains.Related - Cowboys COO responds to Dez: No such thing as 'Garrett guys'Though he wouldn't identify anyone by name, many speculated he was referring to longtime tight end Jason Witten."Friday was an emotional day for all of us," Witten said. "I don't know what all that (Garrett guy talk) is about. ... There's really nothing there."Witten added that there's no split within the Cowboys' locker room."My job and everybody else's is to go play and try to lead the best we can by example," he said. "There's nothing to that."Bryant finished his Cowboys career as the franchise's all-time leader in receiving touchdowns. He posted 838 yards and six touchdowns receiving in 16 games last year.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The 2018 NFL regular-season schedule will be released Thursday at 8 p.m. ET on NFL Network.

Chief operating officer Stephen Jones squashed the idea Tuesday that the Dallas Cowboys' locker-room leaders angled to get Dez Bryant released.The Cowboys cut Bryant on Friday after eight seasons without even offering the receiver a pay cut. He quickly blamed his termination on "Garrett guys" - in other words, members of the team who supported head coach Jason Garrett over the three-time Pro Bowl wideout."I don't understand that comment," Jones said Tuesday during a radio appearance in Dallas, per Nick Shook of NFL.com. "I certainly respect anybody that has a comment about the organization. You certainly always see things when it's difficult for a player to take the next step. Whether it's a Larry Allen, Demarcus Ware, an Emmitt Smith, all Hall of Famers who ended up playing with another team. Those things are hard."It's no secret that Bryant and Garrett clashed numerous times over the years. Bryant often criticized his coach in the same fashion coaches try to keep players accountable for their performances."When you have decided to move on, maybe there's a thought in your mind that you weren't a particular coach's guy or an organizational guy," Jones added of Bryant. "But I certainly don't see that on this football team."Bryant has reportedly attracted the most interest as a free agent from the Baltimore Ravens. However, the 29-year-old has made it known he prefers to stay in the NFC East, where he can gain on-field retribution against the Cowboys.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Buffalo Bills safety Micah Hyde is making himself an enemy of quarterbacks everywhere.Hyde, who earned Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors after recording 82 tackles and five interceptions during his first season with the Bills, provided an unusual player safety recommendation Tuesday, proposing that quarterbacks be fined when receivers are targeted on helmet-to-helmet hits."Those bang-bang plays, it's tough," Hyde told ESPN's Mike Rodak. "Start fining the quarterbacks. They're the ones who are throwing the ball right there. It's tough for us to be able to adjust last second to get our head to one side, the other side - up, down. We're trying to make a play like the receiver is. It's the sport of football."The NFL recently implemented a rule in which players are penalized 15 yards and potentially thrown out for lowering their heads to initiate contact.Hyde doesn't seem to approve of the rule, providing a more detailed account of how he approaches a ball-carrier as a safety."When a guy catches a ball across the middle and it's bang-bang, and he's just catching the ball and doesn't have his feet down yet, as a defensive player, I'm not going to wait for him to bring the ball in and secure it," Hyde said. "That's not realistic. In my eyes, if I'm able to hit him in his feet all the way up to his shoulders, I'm going to try to. Obviously, the head, the head contact, you can get away from that."(But) I actually had an incident in the playoff game (against Jacksonville when) the trainers didn't like how I tackled on a few plays. My response to them was just the running back was running at me, and he's getting as low as he can and lowering his shoulder, lowering his helmet. I have to make a tackle. I'm not going to stand straight up, because he's going to run straight through my chest. It's a violent game, it's a violent sport. They're trying the best they can do to make it as safe as possible, but at the end of the day, those bang-bang plays, they're hard to get out of the sport."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tight end Greg Olsen is hoping to play for the Carolina Panthers past the 2018 season and eventually retire with the team.The three-time Pro Bowler, who recently auditioned for a Monday Night Football analyst role, will make $6.5 million in base salary in 2018 and is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent after the campaign."My preference would be to continue to play,'' Olsen told ESPN's David Newton. "I still love playing for the Panthers and I would prefer to finish my career at Carolina. I wouldn't see myself love to go play elsewhere."But this is the last year of my contract. A lot of that plays into what the future holds. Where we are in all of that, I'm not really sure. As the offseason plays out, it would be nice to kind of know what my future is past this year here in Carolina. That would make a lot of the other decisions easier.''"Obviously, ESPN, that Monday Night gig is a big deal,'' he added. "You don't just easily dismiss that. But how things play out, my preference would be for things to play out here at Carolina beyond this year. If that's not the case, then other doors remain open is the best way to put it.''Olsen caught 17 passes for 191 yards and a touchdown in seven games in 2017 after being hindered by foot injuries.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is still standing by the team's owner, Bob McNair, despite the 80-year-old's controversial comments last season."Bob is a great guy," Hopkins told Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. "I could never say anything bad about him."McNair made headlines last season when he compared players protesting social injustice during the national anthem to "inmates running the prison." McNair later expressed remorse over his choice of words, but he recently said he regrets apologizing.Related: McNair reportedly among owners deposed in Kaepernick collusion caseHe also defended outgoing Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson, who's in the process of selling the team after reports emerged of him sexually harassing female employees and racially discriminating against others.Hopkins briefly left the Texans after McNair's "inmates" comment, but the star wide receiver said it had nothing to do with the controversy."I had personal problems that I needed to take care of," he said.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

theScore goes division by division to identify the biggest positional needs for all 32 NFL teams entering the 2018 draft, which will be held from April 26-28.AFC

Super Bowl champion Nick Foles' second run as the Philadelphia Eagles' starting quarterback may not extend past the preseason.Injured 2017 starter Carson Wentz maintains his expectation is to be ready for the Eagles' 2018 season opener."That's still the goal," Wentz said Tuesday when asked by Reuben Frank of NBC Sports Philadelphia if he plans on taking the field in Week 1.Wentz added he doesn't need to play in the preseason in order to be ready for the regular season.The 25-year-old saw his breakout sophomore campaign halted due to a knee injury suffered in Week 14. Despite a physically demanding style of play, Wentz is adamant he's "not going to change" his game.Related - Ex-Eagles' coach: Wentz wouldn't listen when told to avoid contactHe'll enter his third season with career totals of 449 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns on 110 attempts.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After Von Miller openly recruited Kirk Cousins to join the Denver Broncos this offseason, it appears the star pass-rusher has moved on and is excited about new pivot Case Keenum.Cousins would eventually sign with the Minnesota Vikings, while the Broncos opted to bring in that club's former quarterback fresh off a career-best season. It's safe to say early returns from the new pivot have Miller impressed."He's a great leader. You can just tell by having a conversation with guys," Miller said on Tuesday, as per Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic. "I imagine many magical moments, holding hands."Keenum helped lead the Vikings to an 11-3 mark in 14 starts last season before falling in the NFC Championship Game. He's an upgrade at the position for the Broncos, who have missed the playoffs the last two seasons following Peyton Manning's retirement.As for the No. 5 overall pick that the Broncos hold in this year's draft, Miller said he would be cool with whoever the team picked but did toss quite the compliment in the direction of NC State pass-rusher Bradley Chubb.

Chicago Bears running back Jordan Howard appears to be keeping that title for at least the upcoming season."They told my agent they have no plans to trade me," Howard told media members on Tuesday, according to Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times.Howard was previously involved in trade rumors centered around then-Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jarvis Landry. Those reports were shot down, Landry was later traded to the Cleveland Browns, and Howard remains with the Bears.Howard added fuel to the rumors earlier this month when photos of himself with the Bears were removed from his Instagram account.When asked about the disappearing photos, Howard said, "Wasn't nothing to it," according to Jeff Dickerson of ESPN.The 23-year-old has two years left on his contract at cap hits of $692,006 for 2018 and $782,006 for 2019, according to Over The Cap.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Aaron Rodgers addressed his reported frustrations with his lack of say in the Green Bay Packers' personnel decisions this offseason during a media appearance Tuesday.Asked about how much input he wants on the direction of the franchise, the star pivot said, "I know my role, and that's to play as well as I possibly can at quarterback," according to Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-GazetteRodgers acknowledged that the losses of longtime go-to receiver Jordy Nelson and quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt stung, but emphasized those are "team decisions.""This process works, and it has worked for (head coach) Mike (McCarthy) for a number of years," Rodgers said. "Obviously, that's why he's still here in his 13th season. We've had a lot of success here, and just got to trust the process."The two-time NFL MVP also spoke about his contract situation. Rodgers has two years remaining on his current deal, but has slipped to ninth in terms of annual salary among quarterbacks, according to Over The Cap."There's interest on both sides in getting something done," Rodgers added.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Earl Thomas may be setting an early tone ahead of what's currently scheduled to be his final year with the Seattle Seahawks.Thomas skipped the first day of the team's voluntary workouts Monday, according to Brock Huard of ESPN.The 28-year-old safety remains under contract for just the upcoming season at a $10.4-million cap hit. The Seahawks were reportedly "listening to offers" for the six-time Pro Bowler earlier in an offseason that has already seen them part ways with defensive stars Richard Sherman and Michael Bennett.Related - Earl Thomas: 'Nobody knows' if I'll stay with SeahawksThe first mandatory appearance for Thomas - and the rest of the Seahawks - will be the team's veteran minicamp running from June 12 to June 14, at which point Thomas could be fined for any potential absence.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

ESPN and FOX Sports were both reportedly willing to open up their wallets as wide as possible for Peyton Manning, but the former five-time MVP quarterback opted against a move to the broadcast booth, at least for the 2018 season.Asked about the reported $10-million-per-year offers, Manning said he just wasn't ready to make the jump to the media side of the league."I don't want to be a critic at this point," said Manning, who then joked, "I still do too many commercials," according to Jonathan Mase of Restaurant Business Magazine.Manning is believed to be interested in a John Elway-like role with an NFL franchise, though he hasn't appeared in any rush to make his next football-related career move following his retirement at the conclusion of the 2016 season.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Stormy Daniels released a composite sketch of a man she says threatened her in 2011 to keep quiet about her alleged affair with U.S. President Donald Trump.And Twitter took it from there:

The NFL draft could soon be coming to every screen near you.The league's contracts with FOX Sports and ESPN don't guarantee exclusive rights to air the draft, meaning NBC and CBS could televise the event in coming years, sources told Sporting News' Michael McCartney.While overexposure could be an issue, some league executives believe the draft could become "the sports equivalent of a U.S. presidential election," covered by all networks simultaneously, added McCartney.All seven rounds of the 2018 draft will air on broadcast TV for the first time ever, thanks to ABC simulcasting ESPN's coverage of Day 3.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After being turned down by Peyton Manning, ESPN is casting a wide net as the network attempts to fill the analyst role on Monday Night Football left vacant by the departure of Jon Gruden.That net has included another former star quarterback in Brett Favre.Sources told Andrew Marchand of the New York Post that Favre recently auditioned for the job, but is no longer under consideration after a less-than-stellar showing.Favre certainly doesn't have broadcasting experience, but following the rousing success of Tony Romo in the CBS booth last season, that doesn't appear to be a sticking point for networks anymore.According to Marchand, ESPN has also auditioned current players Jason Witten and Greg Olsen, with more tryouts upcoming.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers picked up the fifth-year option in quarterback Jameis Winston's contract Tuesday.That keeps Winston in Tampa for the 2019 season for $20.9 million, reports Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times.The option allows the Bucs to retain their franchise quarterback for one more year before he'll require a long-term megadeal.Winston enters the fourth year of his NFL career hoping to make the leap to elite after a disappointing 2017 season. However, he remains the best hope for success for a franchise with an ugly quarterbacking history.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Colin Kaepernick arrived at NFL headquarters in New York City on Tuesday, along with his attorneys Mark Geragos and Ben Meiselas, according to TMZ Sports.The unemployed quarterback told supporters he's "doing great," adding that "I love y'all and we gonna keep going!"Kaepernick and his team of lawyers were at NFL HQ to depose NFL commissioner Roger Goodell as part of the 30-year-old's collusion case against the league, sources told TMZ.Related: Adidas willing to sign Kaepernick if NFL team signs himBaltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, Houston Texans owner Bob McNair, and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones are among those already deposed as part of the lawsuit.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.