The Buffalo Bills are signing wrestler Gable Steveson to a standard three-year rookie deal, his agent told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Steveson hasn't played football in the past and hadn't worn cleats until a workout with the Bills, per Schefter. He's expected to play defensive line for Buffalo."I have been fortunate to compete at the highest level of competition in my sport but am looking forward to the challenge of seeing how my wrestling skills may translate to football," Steveson said, according to Schefter.The 24-year-old was a dominant college wrestler, winning back-to-back NCAA Division I titles at 285 pounds in 2021 and 2022. He also earned a bronze finish in 2019.The Minnesota product carried that success to the international stage, capturing a gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics by defeating Georgian opponent Geno Petriashvili.Buffalo's defensive line features Ed Oliver, DaQuan Jones, and rookie DeWayne Carter in its interior, among others. Greg Rousseau, A.J. Epenesa, and Von Miller are expected to be the team's primary edge rushers.Steveson was recently released from the WWE after spending three years in its developmental program.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Buffalo Bills are signing wrestler Gable Steveson to a standard three-year rookie deal, his agent told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Steveson hasn't played football in the past and hadn't worn cleats until a workout with the Bills, per Schefter. He's expected to play defensive line for Buffalo."I have been fortunate to compete at the highest level of competition in my sport but am looking forward to the challenge of seeing how my wrestling skills may translate to football," Steveson said, according to Schefter.The 24-year-old was a dominant college wrestler, winning back-to-back NCAA Division I titles at 285 pounds in 2021 and 2022. He also earned a bronze finish in 2019.The Minnesota product carried that success to the international stage, capturing a gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics by defeating Georgian opponent Geno Petriashvili.Buffalo's defensive line features Ed Oliver, DaQuan Jones, and rookie DeWayne Carter in its interior, among others. Greg Rousseau, A.J. Epenesa, and Von Miller are expected to be the team's primary edge rushers.Steveson was recently released from the WWE after spending three years in its developmental program.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Cowboys star Micah Parsons again opted not to participate in the early parts of the team's voluntary activities, and Dallas coach Mike McCarthy said it's a missed opportunity for the All-Pro defender to learn the team's new defense."I think any time that you have a chance to be together, it's an opportunity to improve," McCarthy said Thursday, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic. "Whether it's in the mental realm, the physical realm, and the emotional connection and so forth. It's a long year. Training camp is really the heightened focus for all of that, but it's definitely an opportunity that's been missed."New defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer is in the midst of installing his defense with the Cowboys.Parsons, who also chose to work out on his own early in the offseason last year, was at the Cowboys' practice facility on Wednesday to go through required content for in-game and broadcast elements, per ESPN's Todd Archer. However, the superstar edge rusher didn't do any on-field drills.Dallas hired Zimmer as defensive coordinator this year to replace Dan Quinn, who joined the Washington Commanders as their head coach. The 67-year-old Zimmer hasn't had an NFL job since his last season as the Minnesota Vikings' head coach in 2021."It's a new defense. We have work to do. (Parsons is) engaged. We'll be ready when it's time. I have confidence in that," said McCarthy, who added that Parsons "looks to be in really good shape."Parsons has taken the NFL by storm since the Cowboys drafted him in the first round in 2021. The 25-year-old, who's recorded 40.5 sacks in 50 career games, was a top-three finisher for Defensive Player of the Year in each of the last three seasons. He's eligible to sign a contract extension but still has two years left on his rookie deal.The Cowboys also kicked off their OTAs without CeeDee Lamb this year, as the star receiver has yet to agree to terms on an extension with the team. Dallas' mandatory minicamp is scheduled for next week. Training camp starts in late July.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson remains confident that he will one day become a head coach and is currently enjoying what the Detroit Lions have built in recent years."I think when it boils down to it, I want the sun to shine a little bit longer. That's really what it comes down to for me," Johnson said Thursday, according to ESPN's Eric Woodyard. "I like the sunshine. I like what we've built here, starting with ownership, the head coach and the GM on down.""We have a great group of guys in the locker room, and I want to reap the rewards with them a little bit longer," Johnson added.Head coach Dan Campbell said the Lions are closer to enjoying the warmth of the Caribbean after enduring several frigid years that resembled a trek through the Arctic. Following a 3-13-1 mark in 2021, the Lions have displayed gradual improvement. Detroit won the NFC North division title last season for the first time since 1993 on its way to posting a 12-5 record and making it to the NFC Championship.The 38-year-old Johnson passed up several offers to become a head coach for the second straight offseason and is considered one of the hottest candidates in the coaching carousel. The South Carolina native interviewed with the Washington Commanders, Seattle Seahawks, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, and Los Angeles Chargers.Johnson is now preparing to call the Lions' offense for a third season. Detroit has thrived since he was promoted to the full-time role in 2022. The franchise finished in the top five in the league with 27.1 points per game last season and concluded the 2023 campaign third in total offense with 394.8 yards per contest.The Lions made it a priority to secure their future in the offseason. Both general manager Brad Holmes and Campbell received extensions in March, while Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Penei Sewell were signed to lucrative extensions.Johnson theorizes that the longer he remains in his role as coordinator, the more prepared he'll be for the next step in his career."Personally, I don't feel like I'm hurting my opportunities or my abilities to be a head coach in the future, and I love what I'm doing right now," Johnson said.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik believes his star-studded unit will have an answer for every defense this season."We got a group of guys in the receiving room, in the tight end room, in the running back room that we feel like have good skill sets, and they're all elite at something," Slowik said Thursday, according to Adam Wexler of SportsTalk790."Our job is to take advantage of what they're elite at. ... We got a quarterback that really gives us no limitations."After C.J. Stroud's spectacular rookie campaign in 2023, the Texans got the quarterback more weapons by acquiring former Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon and four-time Pro Bowl wideout Stefon Diggs."It takes all limits off of whatever you feel you need to do to win a game," Slowik said of the additions, per SportsRadio610's Shaun Bijani. "If we feel like we gotta throw the ball deep to win a game, we can do that. If we gotta throw it short to win a game, we can do that. If we gotta run the ball 40 times to win a game, we feel like we can do that."Diggs joins a Texans receiving group that already featured the likes of Nico Collins and Tank Dell, while Mixon will spearhead a backfield that contains Dameon Pierce.Houston ranked 13th in points per game last year with 22.2.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New Orleans Saints are inducting quarterback Drew Brees into their Hall of Fame in 2024, the team announced Thursday."This is a tremendous honor," Brees said during a press conference Thursday. "It's always great to be back in this building. Obviously, we're no strangers to New Orleans or the Saints facility here. I feel like we're back here about 8-10 times a year."He added: "The 15 years that I spent here, from '06 to 2020, were 15 of the best years of my life. My wife Brittany and I were embraced by this city, by this organization, by Mrs. Benson, and by the unbelievable staff."

The Chicago Bears are the subject of this year's "Hard Knocks" series on HBO, the team announced Thursday.This season's first episode will air Aug. 6. Chicago is the first team with a rookie quarterback drafted first overall to be selected for the training camp edition of "Hard Knocks" since the Cleveland Browns with Baker Mayfield in 2018."We are honored to feature such an iconic NFL franchise on 'Hard Knocks,'" NFL Films senior director and supervising producer Shannon Furman said in a statement. "The Chicago Bears have a talented roster, coaching staff, and front office all determined to match the expectations of a hungry fan base. We are thankful to the entire organization for opening their doors to us for what is sure to be an exciting training camp."The Bears were one of the NFL's most interesting teams this offseason, as they drafted Caleb Williams first overall in April. The team also used a top-10 pick on receiver Rome Odunze and traded for Pro Bowl wideout Keenan Allen, among other moves. Chicago is seeking its first winning season since 2018.The Denver Broncos and New Orleans Saints were the other teams that could have been selected for the training camp version of "Hard Knocks" in 2024, as

The Kansas City Chiefs are considering using safety Justin Reid for some of their kicking needs with the NFL's new kickoff format."I like to have somebody that can go back, is able to make a tackle," special teams coordinator Dave Toub said when asked about the safety's potential role. "(Harrison) Butker is able to make a tackle, but I really don't want him making tackles all year long."(Reid) can cover, I mean he can kick. He can go down there and make tackles. He's an extra guy that they're probably not accounting for."Reid, 27, previously kicked for the Chiefs when Butker was unavailable, making one of two extra points and handling seven kickoffs."We watched every (XFL kickoff)," Toub said. "I bet kickers were involved in probably at least 25-40% of the tackles. ... We don't want Butker in that situation."Toub added that the Chiefs will still use Butker on some kickoffs due to his accuracy. The 28-year-old could also be used when the team wants to force a touchback. Butker has forced touchbacks on 70.8% of his kickoffs since entering the league in 2017.The NFL's new rules encourage more kickoff returns and see touchbacks come out to the 30-yard line rather than the 25. In addition, the receiving team can have up to two returners in the designated landing zone, adding more relevance to where the kickoff is placed on the field.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Russell Wilson is the Pittsburgh Steelers' starter, but the veteran quarterback is open to occasionally ceding his spot to backup Justin Fields to give defenses a scare."Justin is obviously one of the most talented guys in the NFL," Wilson told Tim Benz of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review on Wednesday. "You know all the things he can do. The player, the quarterback that he is. He's dynamic. It's all about us winning. That's the focus. I think it would strike fear in some defenses, that's for sure."Fields is among the most dynamic running quarterbacks in the NFL. Only reigning MVP Lamar Jackson boasts more yards on the ground (2,352) among passers than Fields (2,220) since Fields was drafted in 2021.The former Chicago Bears standout is also first in yards per rush with 6.2, and his 14 rushing touchdowns trail only Jalen Hurts (38), Josh Allen (28), and Taysom Hill (16).Fields said Tuesday that he's open to having a package of plays specifically for him but added the Steelers have yet to implement any.Justin is a franchise quarterback. He's a guy that can do a lot of amazing things," Wilson said. "So, we have two dynamic guys that can do a lot of special things."The 35-year-old Wilson was an explosive rushing threat earlier in his career. But he's recently been more hesitant to use his legs, averaging 267 yards and nearly three touchdowns a year over the past three seasons.The Steelers revamped their quarterback room in March, signing Wilson as a free agent before acquiring Fields in a trade with the Bears.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Derek Carr is entering his 11th season with plenty to prove following an uneven debut campaign with the New Orleans Saints."With the way things started last year, I still have that burn in my heart to show what I'm capable of," Carr said on the "Jim Rome Show" on Wednesday. "What really hurt the most was getting hurt and not being able to put your best foot out there every single time."The veteran passer exited a Week 3 matchup against the Green Bay Packers after sustaining a shoulder injury. It was a common theme for the quarterback, who suffered multiple ailments last season, including broken ribs. However, he managed to start all 17 regular-season games and credited an old-school mindset of playing through the pain. He's especially proud of leading the club to win four of its final five games to close out the campaign.The 33-year-old admitted during an interview on the "Green Light with Chris Long" podcast that he didn't feel completely healthy until about two weeks before team meetings in April.Carr finished the year passing for 3,878 yards, 25 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in his first campaign to lead the Saints to a 9-8 mark as a starter.The four-time Pro Bowler enters the season preparing to work with his fourth offensive coordinator in as many years, as Klint Kubiak is taking on the role in 2024.Kubiak's motivation is seemingly rubbing off on Carr, who says he's "even more fired up this year than I was last year."Carr spent his first nine seasons as a member of the Las Vegas Raiders and is their all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns. However, his tenure with the franchise that drafted him in 2014 came to a disappointing end when he was benched down the final stretch of the 2022 season.Carr will see his old friends when he takes the field against the Raiders in Week 17 on Dec. 29, and he doesn't plan on holding back against his former teammates."When it comes to playing those guys, we still want to kick their butts," he said.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Cincinnati Bengals and Tee Higgins reportedly haven't discussed a contract extension in over a year, but the star wide receiver still hopes he's in the team's future plans."As far as coming back, I would love to come back," Higgins recently said on the "I Am Athlete" podcast. "I grew as a man in the past four years here. Grew as a player, got good new friendships. Great relationships with people not in the facility - in the city of Cincinnati. The fans are great. So I would definitely love to be here."But if that's not the situation, then that's not the situation."Higgins received the franchise tag earlier this offseason but has yet to sign the one-year tender. With negotiations between the two sides seemingly far apart, the 25-year-old remains away from the club as he's ineligible to participate in any team activities until he signs the tag or agrees to a new deal.Wide receivers have cashed in this offseason with A.J. Brown of the Philadelphia Eagles and Amon-Ra St. Brown of the Detroit Lions signing the biggest contracts ever at the position.Higgins requested a trade in March but has since said he expects to stay in Cincy."I don't know what the situation will be right now, but it'd be bittersweet," Higgins said of potentially being traded.The Bengals kicked off the team's OTAs this week without Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase, but Cincinnati head coach Zac Taylor said the star pass-catchers will "be back at the right times."A second-round pick in 2020, Higgins just played the final campaign of his rookie contract. The former Clemson star is coming off a down season as he missed five games in 2023 and finished the year with 42 catches, 656 yards, and five touchdowns. He previously topped 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons and formed one of the league's premier receiver duos along with Chase.With Joe Burrow, Chase, Higgins, and Co., the Bengals reached the Super Bowl for the first time in 33 years during the 2021 season but ultimately fell to the Los Angeles Rams.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Josh Jacobs moved from the Las Vegas Raiders to the Green Bay Packers this offseason, and the star running back hoped he could convince star wide receiver Davante Adams to return to Lambeau Field to join him."When I came out here ... I sent him the little eyes emoji. I said, 'You thinking about coming back?' But man, he loved it," Jacobs said, according to The Athletic's Matt Schneidman.Adams - one of football's premier receivers - spent his first eight NFL seasons with the Packers before being traded to the Raiders during the 2022 offseason. The 31-year-old then signed a five-year, $140-million extension with Las Vegas and is under contract through 2027."Having Davante Adams come to the Raiders was the best thing for me ... I seen a player be great on a day-to-day basis," added Jacobs.With Derek Carr - Adams' former college teammate - under center in 2022, the veteran wideout caught 1,516 yards and a league-high 14 touchdowns. However, after the Raiders parted ways with Carr during the 2023 offseason, Adams' production dropped - he finished the campaign with 1,144 yards and eight TDs.The six-time Pro Bowler was the subject of trade speculation after expressing his frustration with the Raiders' offense multiple times in 2023. New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers was another former teammate of Adams who reportedly tried to recruit the pass-catcher this year.Las Vegas is only 14-20 over the last two seasons, but there's optimism the team will improve after keeping head coach Antonio Pierce, who received support from Adams before having his interim tag removed in the offseason.Adams - who said he's committed to the Raiders in April - recently praised Packers quarterback Jordan Love but added that he doesn't regret his trade to Las Vegas.Jacobs signed a four-year, $48-million deal with the Packers this offseason after playing five seasons for the Raiders. He joined a promising Green Bay offense that features talented young receivers like Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, and Romeo Doubs, among others."The receiving corps is crazy, man," Jacobs said of Green Bay's 2024 wideouts, according to Schneidman. "I'm so excited just watching them. Any one of them can go at any moment."Jacobs battled injuries in 2023 but is only two years removed from an All-Pro campaign. The 26-year-old led the NFL with 1,653 rushing yards and 2,053 scrimmage yards in 2022.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Miami Dolphins have agreed to terms with wide receiver Jaylen Waddle on a three-year, $84.75-million extension that includes $76 million guaranteed, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Waddle has posted 1,014 receiving yards or more in each of his first three NFL seasons. The 25-year-old tallied that mark in 2023 on 72 receptions despite playing in just 14 games. He also scored four touchdowns.Waddle's best season came in 2022 when he totaled 1,356 yards and eight touchdowns on 75 catches. He led the league with 18.1 yards per reception that season.The extension's $28.25-million average annual value ranks fourth among all wide receivers, while the guarantees are third at the position, according to Over the Cap.Miami joins the Chicago Bears, Houston Texans, Philadelphia Eagles, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers as the only franchises with a pair of receivers each earning over $20 million per year. Teammate Tyreek Hill earns an average of $30 million per season on his current deal.The Alabama product has racked up 251 receptions, 3,385 yards, and 18 touchdowns since being selected sixth overall in the 2021 draft.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's almost June, but several high-profile NFL free agents remain available. Here's what a team rostering the top unsigned players at each position would look like:OffenseQuarterbackRyan TannehillTannehill's days as a full-time starter are likely done, but the 35-year-old is an interesting option for teams looking for an experienced backup. The Pittsburgh Steelers considered signing him earlier this year but ultimately brought in Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Sixty-six QBs started a game in 2023, and given how important backups have become, Tannehill could be helpful on a contender with limited QB depth. The former first-round pick - who lost his starting role on the Tennessee Titans midway through last season - has started 156 career games, including in the playoffs.Running backsDalvin Cook

The Washington Commanders' team name won't be changing anytime soon, according to co-owner Marjorie Harris."As you would imagine, everybody has an opinion about the name. Some good, some bad, some in the middle," Harris told reporters Wednesday, including Ben Standig of The Athletic. "And I think that we got a lot of work to do, so that name issue is going to be on the side for now."She continued: "Quite frankly, I had a whole day out in the community, and I kept referring to the team as the Commanders. And you know what? Sounds pretty good to me. So, for now, it's the Commanders."Formerly known as the Washington Football Team from 2020-21, the NFC East club rebranded to the Commanders prior to the 2022 campaign.However, the potential for another name change became a point of conversation once the team was sold to the Josh Harris-led ownership group in 2023.Magic Johnson, who's part of the Commanders' ownership group, said last July that "everything's on the table" when asked about a possible new name.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Treylon Burks' NFL career has gotten off to a slow start, but new Tennessee Titans receiver Calvin Ridley is really impressed by what he's seen from the former first-round wideout at practice this offseason."This dude is a freak. Like, seriously, he's going to be a stud," Ridley said Wednesday, according to Fox Sports' Ben Arthur. "There's no worries with him. I mean, what I see - he's like Julio (Jones), A.J. Brown, he's like (Terrell Owens)."The Titans drafted Burks 18th overall in 2022 after trading Brown to the Philadelphia Eagles for a first-round selection. However, Burks battled injuries in his first two NFL seasons and hasn't lived up to the hype.The Arkansas product finished 2023 with 16 receptions, 221 yards, and no touchdowns, down from a 33-444-1 stat line in 2022. He ranked 145th in yards per route run among wide receivers last year, according to PFF."A dude that big, that fast? I mean, he's a stud," Ridley added about the 6-foot-2, 225-pound Burks. "You don't have to worry about him. He's just got to learn, slow the game down. He'll be all right."Brown - who spent his first three pro campaigns in Tennessee - has established himself as one of the NFL's top pass-catchers since joining Philly. He earned a second-team All-Pro berth in each of the last two seasons and recently became the highest-paid wideout in the league.Jones, 35, remains unsigned. In his prime, however, he was an elite playmaker who led the NFL in receiving yards twice and earned seven Pro Bowl nods. Finally, Owens is widely considered one of the greatest receivers ever. A member of the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018.Brown, Jones, and Owens each had at least one 1,000-yard season within their first three years in the NFL.The wide receiver position was a big need for the Titans this offseason, and the team addressed the issue by signing Ridley and Tyler Boyd. Ridley inked a four-year, $92-million contract with Tennessee, which also rosters veteran DeAndre Hopkins, among other pass-catchers."They're really good," Titans corner Chidobe Awuzie said Wednesday about the team's 2024 wideouts, according to reporter Paul Kuharsky. "I know those guys have all been proven in the NFL. Even the two guys that aren't starting right now, they're really good, all the way down to the bottom of the roster."New Titans head coach Brian Callahan recently backed Burks, saying the 24-year-old will "carve out a role for himself" this year.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Count Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews as one of the players who's happy to see the league ban the hip-drop tackle."I'm always an advocate for making the game safer," Andrew said in a press conference on Tuesday. "You look at the last, maybe five years, there's been a lot of big injuries with that. Bringing the awareness to that type of tackle is good. Keeping guys healthy is going to be great."(Taking) that tackle out of the game is not a bad thing, I don't think. I think the defenses can find a way to get around that."The three-time Pro Bowler missed close to two months of action last season after Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson pulled him to the ground using the maneuver. Andrews had surgery after sustaining a fractured fibula and ligament damage from the incident.NFL owners voted unanimously to remove the hip-drop tackle at the annual league meeting in March. Violation of the rule will result in a 15-yard penalty and an automatic first down if it's flagged during the game. But NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent suggested that it could be enforced similarly to the "use of helmet" rule - the players are given warning letters and fines instead of an in-game penalty, per ESPN's Jamison Hensley.Miraculously, Andrews returned to the Ravens' lineup in the AFC Championship Game against the Kansas City Chiefs after missing just seven games, including a playoff contest. Baltimore initially feared he would miss the remainder of the season, but Andrews made two catches for 15 yards in his return.The former All-Pro tight end has led the Ravens in receiving yards in each of the previous two seasons (2021-2022) before his injury-shortened campaign. He's recorded 381 receptions, 4,857 yards, and 40 touchdowns since being drafted in 2018.Isaiah Likely enjoyed a breakout campaign with Andrews sidelined. The former fourth-round pick, serving as Baltimore's top tight end, hauled in 30 receptions for 411 yards and five touchdowns through most of the final half of the 2023 campaign.With Likely entering his third year and Andrews returning to full health, the Ravens could boast one of the more talented TE groups in the league next season."It's going to be special," Andrews said. "When you have two guys like that that are dynamic, mismatches all over the field, doesn't matter where you put us, that's tough to game plan for. Both guys that love to play ball, love to compete. It's going to be fun."Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Justin Fields won't be returning kicks for the Pittsburgh Steelers after all.Teammate Jaylen Warren revealed earlier this month that special teams coach Danny Smith brought up the possibility in response to the NFL's kickoff rule change."Everybody interpreted it wrong," Fields told Brian Batko of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Tuesday. "Coach Danny was just trying to send a message that, no matter who you are, you could be on special teams. He just used that as an example."He added: "It was a joke."The NFL revamped kickoff rules this offseason, taking inspiration from the XFL by allowing up to two returners in the landing zone while preventing the rest of the blockers in the setup zone and the opposing kick coverage team from moving until the ball hits the ground or is caught.The Steelers overhauled their quarterback room this offseason, trading for Fields and adding veteran Russell Wilson. They traded away Kenny Pickett, released Mitch Trubisky, and allowed Mason Rudolph to depart as a free agent.Fields is expected to begin training camp as Wilson's backup.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Bills general manager Brandon Beane said Buffalo traded star wideout Stefon Diggs because it didn't want his contract to be a distraction this season.The Bills traded Diggs, a 2024 sixth-round pick, and a 2025 fifth-rounder to the Houston Texans in April for a 2025 second-round pick. Diggs' departure carried a non-quarterback-record $31 million in dead money."From a cap standpoint, we decided just to go ahead and eat it now, and we think we can compete and do what we need to do by eating it now," Beane said on "The Athletic Football Show." "Because if we didn't ... it's just like that albatross, just hanging on your neck all year."Diggs was Josh Allen's leading receiver in each of his four seasons with the team. He totaled 445 receptions for 5,372 yards and four Pro Bowl invites.The Bills also lost wideout Gabe Davis this offseason. Their 2024 receiving room currently features the likes of Keon Coleman, Curtis Samuel, Khalil Shakir, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Chase Claypool."I would say our receiver room right now is like Baskins-Robbins," Beane said. "We got a lot of flavour.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Houston Texans are signing wide receiver Nico Collins to a three-year extension worth approximately $24 million per season, according to The Athletic's Dianna Russini.Collins' deal - which has a base value of $72.7 million - is worth up to $75 million and includes $52 million in guaranteed money, his agents told ESPN's Adam Schefter. His new average annual salary ranks seventh in the NFL among wide receivers, per Spotrac.A third-round pick in 2021, Collins was entering the final year of his rookie contract. He broke out last season and led the Texans with 80 receptions for 1,297 yards and eight touchdowns in 15 games. The 25-year-old's 16.2 yards per catch ranked seventh among eligible pass-catchers.Prior to the 2023 campaign, the Michigan product hadn't topped 500 yards in a season.Collins is a key starter in a Texans offense that's been trending upward since the team drafted star quarterback C.J. Stroud. After a stunning playoff appearance last season, Houston added several new offensive weapons, including Pro Bowl receiver Stefon Diggs and running back Joe Mixon.With Diggs, Collins, and Tank Dell, the Texans boast one of the sport's most explosive and complete trio of wideouts.Several wide receivers cashed in this offseason. The Philadelphia Eagles recently made A.J. Brown the NFL's highest-paid receiver with a three-year, $96-million contract, and the Detroit Lions rewarded Amon-Ra St. Brown with a four-year extension worth $120.01 million. Philadelphia also signed DeVonta Smith to a new three-year, $75-million contract last month.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Cincinnati Bengals kicked off their organized team activities on Tuesday without Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, but head coach Zac Taylor isn't too concerned about the star wide receivers' absences."(They) are still working hard elsewhere, and they'll be back at the right times," Taylor said, according to Mike Petraglia of the "Jungle Roar" podcast. "And the beauty is we know those guys, we know what they're about and that they'll be ready and focused when it's time to come back."Higgins wasn't expected at the team's voluntary workouts as he has yet to sign the franchise tag with Cincinnati. The two-time 1,000-yard receiver is looking for a new contract and requested a trade earlier this offseason. The two sides have until July 15 to ink a multi-year deal but reportedly haven't discussed an extension in over a year.Chase has two years remaining on his rookie contract but is eligible for an extension. The three-time Pro Bowler - who's expected to become one of the NFL's highest-paid receivers when he signs a new contract - has averaged 89 receptions, 1,239 yards, and 10 touchdowns per season since entering the league as the No. 5 pick in 2021."They will get the work in at the necessary time," Taylor added about Chase and Higgins. Projected starting right tackle Trent Brown and defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins were also absent on Tuesday.With Chase and Higgins, the Bengals boast one of the NFL's best duos. Wide receiver depth was an issue for Cincinnati entering this offseason, so the team used a third-round pick on Alabama wideout Jermaine Burton. Cincy also rosters receivers Trenton Irwin, Andrei Iosivas, and Charlie Jones.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Joey Porter Jr. is only entering his second NFL season, but the Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback has no doubt that he's already the league's top player at his position."Me, for sure," Porter recently said when asked who's the NFL's best corner, according to The Athletic's Mark Kaboly.A second-round pick in 2023, Porter posted a solid rookie season with 43 tackles, 10 pass breakups, and one interception. He allowed a 47.6% completion rate and a 70.1 passer rating while being targeted 63 times, according to Football Reference."There are a lot of good DBs in this league," Porter added. "Nobody was doing what I was doing going against WR1s the entire year and locking him down. I don't care if I am mentioned in there or not because they are going to hear my name eventually."Sauce Gardner of the New York Jets and DaRon Bland of the Dallas Cowboys were the two corners who claimed first-team All-Pro nods in 2023, while Jaylon Johnson of the Chicago Bears and Charvarius Ward of the San Francisco 49ers earned second-team berths. The Kansas City Chiefs' Trent McDuffie and Buffalo Bills' Taron Johnson were the slot corners on the first and second team, respectively.Gardner - who earned an All-Pro nod in both of his first two NFL seasons - is considered by many the NFL's top corner, with Pat Surtain II of the Denver Broncos, Denzel Ward of the Cleveland Browns, and Jaire Alexander of the Green Bay Packers also mentioned as elite cornerbacks.Porter played 72% of the Steelers' defensive snaps and made 17 appearances in Year 1 (11 starts), helping Pittsburgh finish the campaign with a top-10 scoring defense. The 23-year-old received one first-place vote for Defensive Rookie of the Year and finished the race for the award behind Will Anderson, Jalen Carter, Kobie Turner, and Devon Witherspoon."I always try to keep my confidence up, my swagger up," Porter said. "Coming into the building, I always felt that I was that guy. You have to work to get that respect, but I think everybody understands what I can bring to the table. I always had the mentality as a kid of wanting the best just to see where I stack up. I am always going to pick me over anybody else. I always have had that confidence."Porter will have plenty of opportunities to prove he's the sport's top corner this season, as the Steelers are scheduled to face several premier wide receivers in 2024, including CeeDee Lamb, Ja'Marr Chase, A.J. Brown, Garrett Wilson, and Amari Cooper, among others.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After an injury-shortened rookie campaign, Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson is ready to show the rest of the NFL what Indianapolis' offense can do."We've got young athletes, people who can run," Richardson said. "It's going to be a crazy year."The Colts retained receiver Michael Pittman Jr. on a three-year, $70-million extension. The AFC South club then added second-rounder Adonai Mitchell to the wideout group, which also contains Josh Downs, who had 771 yards as a rookie in 2023.Moreover, Indianapolis will see Pro Bowl running back Jonathan Taylor and Richardson in the backfield together after they were only on the field at the same time for two plays last season.Richardson will be among the most inexperienced starters in the NFL. The 22-year-old started 13 games in college and threw just 84 passes last year before his season-ending shoulder injury.To make his young quarterback more comfortable, Colts head coach Shane Steichen is being flexible with his offensive system."We just toss ideas around," Richardson said. "He asks me how I feel about certain things, and, then if I see certain things on the internet, like if I see a sweep or an option play or something like that, I'll say, 'Hey, that's kind of nice.' I'll show it to him and he'll be like, 'OK, we might be able to throw that in.'"It's amazing to have a coach like that because we get to use our offense and use our weapons."Richardson, the 2023 No. 4 overall pick, flashed potential in his four starts as a rookie. He threw for 577 yards and three touchdowns against one interception while adding 136 yards and four scores on the ground.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL Players Association is working to finalize a proposal to overhaul the league's offseason process beginning as soon as 2025, sources told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.The group is advocating for eliminating voluntary on-field work in the spring in favor of a longer training camp session with players reporting in mid-June instead of early July, among other recommendations. A formal proposal is expected this summer.Teams would hold a gradual ramp-up to football activities under the proposal. Non-padded and strength and conditioning drills would ease players into the traditional training camp regimen.The union, which has been under new leadership since 2023, has sought players' feedback on the plan. A majority of them support the change, per Pelissero. Rules pertaining to offseason activities and procedures are collectively bargained, so any modifications would require an agreement with the NFL.The NFLPA has consulted medical and performance experts aiming to create a practical solution for reducing injuries and maximizing players' recovery time. Under the proposal, virtual classroom work would still be permitted in the spring, but there would be no practice until training camp.Restructuring the offseason for players doesn't directly correlate to the potential for an 18-game regular season schedule, per Pelissero. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has openly discussed increasing the regular season by one game while decreasing preseason contests from three to two. The league hasn't held formal discussions about changing the schedule, and changes to its format would have to be collectively bargained with the NFLPA. The current agreement runs through 2030.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tom Brady doesn't believe the Kansas City Chiefs becoming the first team to win three straight Super Bowls is such a sure bet."All these teams in the NFL are very competitive, they are all well coached," Brady said on "The Herd" Monday. "The margin of error is razor-thin, so to win one Super Bowl is extremely difficult. To win two back-to-back - what the Chiefs have done - as we know in the history of the sport: nearly impossible. To win three in a row, there's a reason no one's done it. The reason no one has won three in a row is because it's hard to win one in a row."He added: "To put three of those together in back-to-back-to-back seasons with drafting last, a very hard schedule, all the turnover in free agency, guys continuing to be motivated, it's a big challenge."Brady said the odds of the Chiefs accomplishing the unprecedented three-peat is "way less" than 50%. However, he praised Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes, and Travis Kelce, among others, for providing Kansas City with the best opportunity of winning a Super Bowl this season."They have a lot of great pieces, but to win it all again is a momentous task. No one's going to put it past them, but we're all excited to show up and watch on opening day and see what version of the 2024 Chiefs, what they can do and the goals they can set for themselves, and whether they can reach them."The Chiefs captured their second consecutive championship in Super Bowl LVIII by walking off the San Francisco 49ers in overtime. Each of the Chiefs' final three playoff victories were settled by seven points or less.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Baltimore Ravens and Lamar Jackson are using their AFC Championship Game loss to the Kansas City Chiefs as fuel to prepare for the 2024 campaign."I believe that just motivated us throughout (the) whole offseason," said Jackson, according to ESPN's Jamison Hensley. "People are still talking about it; us players still talk about it. It definitely left a bitter taste in our mouths just being that close. We worked so hard in getting there, and (we) didn't do what we wanted to do, didn't fulfill our dream; (there's) definitely a little chip on our shoulder."Jackson and the Ravens were dominant in the regular season, with the star quarterback leading the team to an NFL-best 13-4 record en route to winning his second career MVP award.But after ranking fourth in scoring and putting up nine 30-plus point performances, the Ravens' offense sputtered at home against the eventual Super Bowl champions. Baltimore finished with just 10 points, 81 rushing yards - 54 of which Jackson racked up - and three turnovers, with two coming from the star quarterback."I believe it hurts more losing before the Super Bowl than actually being a part of it, because we worked so hard (for) 17 weeks, plus the little playoff games, and we get to a game away and lose," Jackson said. "We didn't really put any points on the board, and we were just scoring 30 points against crazy teams - great defenses. Don't get me wrong, that's a great defense as well, but (we had faced) the top-ranked defenses. We just have to finish."Baltimore will be running it back with essentially the same offense, with All-Pro running back Derrick Henry the major addition, and Odell Beckham Jr. the most prominent departure.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Deshaun Watson said the Cleveland Browns' rivalry with the Pittsburgh Steelers isn't only one of the best in the NFL but across all sports.On the latest episode of his "Lockerverse" podcast, the Browns quarterback named the Steelers as Cleveland's biggest rival and ranked the two AFC North teams on his list of the top four all-time rivalries in sports."Cleveland-Pittsburgh, for sure," the Browns quarterback said, adding, "It's even bigger than Cincinnati ... it's not Baltimore. Baltimore's a rivalry, you know, it's a big game, for sure. It's up there, but it ain't as real as Pittsburgh."Watson also included the college football rivalry of Georgia versus Florida, college basketball's Duke versus North Carolina, and Barcelona versus Real Madrid in La Liga among his top four.The Steelers lead the all-time series against the Browns 81-63-1 but went 1-1 in their two meetings last season. They'll face each other in Weeks 12 and 14 this season.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's no surprise that the Vikings tried to move into the top five during last month's NFL draft, but Minnesota reportedly wasn't targeting a quarterback as many expected.The Vikings - who were linked to several QB prospects predraft - actually wanted to move up to draft LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers in a move that would've resulted in Minnesota trading All-Pro wideout Justin Jefferson, according to Charley Walters of the Pioneer Press.The Vikings tried to acquire the No. 5 pick from the Los Angeles Chargers to land Nabers just ahead of the New York Giants, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported on draft day. The Chargers ultimately kept the pick and chose offensive lineman Joe Alt.New York drafted Nabers sixth overall as the second receiver off the board, while the Vikings moved up one spot to select quarterback J.J. McCarthy at No. 10. The Michigan product was linked to Minnesota prior to the draft as Kevin O'Connell's outfit tried to replace starting quarterback Kirk Cousins. Reports in March said the Vikings planned to keep Jefferson despite losing Cousins to the Atlanta Falcons in free agency.Jefferson has taken the NFL by storm since being drafted in the first round in 2020. Arguably the league's most valuable non-quarterback, the star pass-catcher has caught 392 passes for 5,899 yards and 30 touchdowns in four pro seasons.The 24-year-old - who has averaged 98.3 receiving yards per game in the NFL - was also named 2022 Offensive Player of the Year. However, the Vikings and Jefferson have yet to agree to a contract extension. The former LSU star is entering the fifth year of his rookie contract and is expected to reset the wide receiver market when he signs a new deal.The two sides are still talking but haven't made significant progress, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. There's reportedly mutual interest in getting a deal done.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Patrick Queen said he could've made more money elsewhere this offseason but chose to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers to compete for a Super Bowl straight away."From the 15 teams that I was talking to, it came down to five at the end. ... Some were offering some ($17 million per year)," Queen recently told Derrick Bell of Steelers Now. "I had a chance to either go win or a chance to get paid. For me, the difference was like $4 million or $5 million."I'm looking at it like, 'I have never been on a losing team before. I also don't want to be part of anything being rebuilt because I'm trying to win now.'"Queen joined Pittsburgh on a three-year, $41-million deal in one of the offseason's most surprising decisions. The deal - which included an $11.6-million signing bonus and $13.8 million guaranteed - was the largest free-agent signing in Steelers history. He ranks fourth among inside linebackers with a $13.7-million average annual salary, according to Spotrac.The 24-year-old spent his first four NFL seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, who drafted him in the first round in 2020. Baltimore declined Queen's fifth-year option in May 2023, letting him hit free agency this year."I am really just trying to win right now and get that out of the way. I will get paid later," Queen added.The LSU product has had an up-and-down NFL career but is coming off his best pro season, as he helped the Ravens finish 2023 with the league's top-ranked defense while playing beside two-time first-team All-Pro linebacker Roquan Smith.Queen finished last season with 133 tackles (nine for loss), six pass breakups, 3.5 sacks, and one interception en route to earning a second-team All-Pro for the first time.The Steelers reached the playoffs in three of the last four seasons but haven't won a postseason game since the 2016 campaign. They suffered a 31-17 wild-card loss to the Buffalo Bills in January.Pittsburgh has boasted solid defensive units under head coach Mike Tomlin's watch. However, the Steelers have struggled offensively in recent years. Tomlin's outfit - which dealt Kenny Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles - signed Russell Wilson and traded for Justin Fields this offseason while trying to solve its quarterback issues.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A record seven wide receivers were selected in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, but Aaron Rodgers says the New York Jets landed his top wideout of the class in Round 3."Malachi (Corley) was my favorite receiver in the draft," Rodgers recently said in an interview with the "Official Jets Podcast.""Now, he might not have been the best on paper in the draft, but I really felt like he was going to fit in with what we're trying to do - his mindset, his ferocity."The Jets traded up to take Corley early in the third round at No. 65 as the 12th wide receiver off the board. The former Western Kentucky star caught 259 passes for 3,035 yards and 29 touchdowns in his career with the Hilltoppers and earned first-team All-Conference USA nods in his final two college seasons. Considered a solid yards-after-catch weapon, the 5-foot-11, 215-pound was the 14th prospect at his position in 2024, according to theScore's rankings.This year's draft tied the 2004 event for the most wide receivers selected in the opening round. The 2024 draft also saw three wideouts going in the top 10:WRTeamPick #Marvin Harrison Jr.ARI4Malik NabersNYG6Rome OdunzeCHI9Brian Thomas Jr.JAX23Xavier WorthyKC28Ricky PearsallSF31Xavier LegetteCAR32The Jets - who didn't have a second-round pick last month after trading for Rodgers during the 2023 offseason - used their first 2024 selection to take offensive tackle Olu Fashanu 11th overall. New York also drafted a pair of running backs, picking Braelon Allen in the fourth round and Isaiah Davis in the fifth."I love what (general manager) Joe (Douglas) has done, I love who we brought in," Rodgers said.Douglas and Co. also had a busy free agency, adding receiver Mike Williams and offensive tackle Tyron Smith, among others. Williams and Corley are joining a wide receiver depth chart headlined by 2022 Offensive Rookie of the Year Garrett Wilson.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter is confident he can take the next step in his second NFL season."My first year was OK," Carter said, according to Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia. "It wasn't how I wanted it to end. A lot of stuff that I seen on film is stuff I need to fix. It's OK. We here now and I'm ready to be better than last year."Carter got off to a hot start last season, totaling 3.5 sacks, four tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles in his first five contests. Then he cooled off, only collecting 2.5 sacks in the final 11 outings. Philadelphia's defense as a whole struggled during that 11-game stretch, though, ranking 29th in EPA/play.The Georgia product will have more on his plate in his second campaign since Fletcher Cox retired this offseason."I know Fletch is still going to stick around," Carter said. "He's going to come talk to us anytime we need something, even if he's not here. If I need to text him or call him, I know he's going to answer."The club didn't add a defensive tackle in the draft, leaving Carter, Jordan Davis, Milton Williams, Moro Ojomo, Marlon Tuipuloto, PJ Mustipher, and Gabe Hall on the depth chart.The Eagles hired Vic Fangio after he left the Miami Dolphins this offseason. The long-tenured defensive coach will be tasked with fixing a defense that went through two coordinators in 2023 and didn't hold a team below 20 points in a single contest in its last eight games."I love Vic, man," Carter said. "Old school. He's fun to talk to. He's a good coach. I heard a lot of good news about him because I was in Miami working out. So I had a couple Miami players out there and I was talking about them. So I heard a lot of good news. They were saying a lot of good stuff."Miami's defense finished strong under Fangio in 2023, ranking ninth in defensive success rate in the campaign's final eight weeks.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Brandon Aiyuk isn't necessarily trying to become the NFL's highest-paid receiver as he negotiates a new contract with the San Francisco 49ers.The benchmark for Aiyuk's new deal is the pact the Detroit Lions gave wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.The Lions signed St. Brown to a four-year extension on April 24 worth $120.01 million, according to Spotrac. The pass-catcher's average annual salary ranks second in the NFL at his position, with Philadelphia Eagles receiver A.J. Brown recently signing a three-year deal at $32 million per year.In addition to an annual average of just over $30 million, St. Brown's new contract includes $77 million in guaranteed money.Fowler reports that Aiyuk's trying to beat St. Brown's yearly salary but that a deal isn't imminent.The 49ers and Aiyuk have been negotiating a contract for months but aren't reportedly close to an agreement. The 26-year-old is entering the fifth year of his rookie contract, which is worth $14.1 million. Aiyuk could receive the franchise tag if the two sides can't negotiate an extension by March 2025.San Francisco apparently entertained trade offers for Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel while trying to move up in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, but the team ultimately kept its top wide receivers. The Niners also used their first pick in this year's draft on wideout Ricky Pearsall.A first-round pick in 2020, Aiyuk is coming off his most effective NFL season, catching 75 passes for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns to earn a second-team All-Pro nod for the first time last year. The Arizona State product has topped 1,000 yards in the last two campaigns.St. Brown, a 2021 fourth-round pick by the Lions, claimed a first-team All-Pro berth in 2023 after recording 1,515 yards and 10 TDs on 119 receptions.Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson and Dallas Cowboys wideout CeeDee Lamb are also looking for lucrative deals. Jefferson is expected to reset the WR market and potentially become the highest-paid non-quarterback. Lamb - who hasn't attended his team's OTAs - is waiting for Jefferson to sign his new contract, according to Fowler.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Chicago Bears receiver D.J. Moore is backing rookie quarterback Caleb Williams after advocating for the club to keep Justin Fields."Business is business," Moore told reporters this week. "I seen it coming. So, at the end of the day, he was the quarterback last year, now we got Caleb. We're gonna ride through H-E-L-L and back with him, so I'm just looking forward to seeing what he put out."The Bears' offense is attempting to build chemistry ahead of next season after selecting Williams with the first overall pick in the NFL draft in April. The former USC star struggled during the team's 11-on-11 session earlier this week, holding onto the ball too long or throwing late.Moore is preaching patience for Williams and the rest of the offense as they become acclimated to offensive coordinator Shane Waldron's system in his first year with the franchise."With him, you just got to know that growing pains will be there," Moore said.After a 7-10 finish that saw them miss the playoffs for a third consecutive season, the Bears went on a shopping spree in the offseason to improve their offense, signing D'Andre Swift, acquiring Keenan Allen in a March trade, and drafting Rome Odunze.Moore jokingly shared that his motivation to show up for voluntary OTAs included more than just building a repertoire with his rookie QB."Shoot, 200 grand on the line," Moore said, referring to a workout bonus." I want to be here and make that money. Outside of that, you got to get the connection down with Caleb and with everybody, even Rome and the whole room."Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The current playoff runs of the Dallas Mavericks and Dallas Stars give Dak Prescott added motivation entering his ninth NFL season.Asked earlier this week if he's experienced any envy watching Dallas' NBA and NHL teams advance to the conference finals, Prescott said he welcomes the pressure their success puts on the Cowboys."It's not jealousy, but f--k yeah, it fires you up. Yeah, 100 percent," the Cowboys quarterback told reporters. "I think any competitor should (be fired up). Damn sure in my position, leader of the team, understanding what winning means here, not getting it done and then watching your brothers you say, your brothers across the city go and making things happen."I want it for them, trust me. I want it because, as I said, it only raises the stakes and makes it tougher on me and I'm for that. So go win it. Go win it. (Texas) Rangers did it, other two go do it. Put more f-----g pressure on us."The Mavs are up 2-0 in the NBA Western Conference Finals following a 109-108 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday. The Stars, meanwhile, are down 0-1 in their NHL Western Conference Final series against the Edmonton Oilers.Prescott and the Cowboys finished atop the NFC East last season with a 12-5 record but lost to the seventh-seeded Green Bay Packers in the wild-card round.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Star wideout DeAndre Hopkins is excited about the Tennessee Titans receiving group's potential ahead of the upcoming campaign."I think this is one of the best wide receiver groups I've had the chance to play with on paper," Hopkins said earlier this week, according to team reporter Jim Wyatt. "Obviously, I could come up here and say a bunch, but we haven't played a game yet. So, we'll see how it goes once we hit the field."The Titans have made several changes to the roster this offseason, most notably at receiver. Tennessee signed free agents Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd to help an offensive unit that finished 27th in the league with a 17.9 points per game average.Hopkins is excited about the influx of talent at his position and is using the additions as further motivation ahead of his second campaign with the Titans."I am always competing. Any time we get anyone who is a No.1 receiver, my mindset is to go out and outcompete them, outdo them. I've always had that mindset, Kobe Bryant being my favorite athlete of all time."Any time I get a chance to compete against anyone I am trying to outcompete them, trying to outdo them. And that's only going to make the team better."Hopkins led Tennessee in every statistical category in 2023 with 75 catches for 1,057 yards, and seven touchdowns. He's expected to lead a revamped group that also includes Treylon Burks, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, and tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo.The five-time Pro Bowler is second among active receivers with 12,355 career yards to go along with 928 catches and 78 TDs.The Titans' changes weren't just limited to the roster. Mike Vrabel was dismissed after six seasons and replaced by Brian Callahan, while Nick Holz will take over as offensive coordinator ahead of the 2024 campaign.Tennessee finished last in the AFC South last season with a 6-11 record.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Derrick Henry led the NFL in rushing attempts in four of the last five seasons, and Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken hopes the star running back continues to receive a high number of carries this year."I know this: If (Henry) carries it 300 times, we're having a helluva year," Monken recently said, according to team reporter Ryan Mink. "It means we're running it a lot. It means we're up in games. We want him to finish, (and) we want him to be the closer."Henry, 30, signed a two-year contract with the Ravens this year after spending the last eight seasons with the Titans. In Tennessee, the 2016 second-round pick established himself as one of the NFL's top tailbacks, leading the league in rushing yards and touchdowns twice. The 2020 Offensive Player of the Year is one of only eight players in NFL history to rush for over 2,000 yards in a single season.The four-time Pro Bowler was the Titans' main weapon over the last five seasons. He carried the ball a league-high 280 times in 2023 and previously topped 300 attempts three times.Here is a breakdown of Henry's workload since 2019. The former Alabama star missed half of the 2021 campaign due to injury.YearCarriesGames20193031520203781620212199202234916202328017"First and foremost, like every player, we want him to make it through the season. It's a long season - 17 games," Monken added. "So, we'll see how that goes. I mean, he's been so durable."Gus Edwards - who signed with the Los Angeles Chargers this offseason - led the Ravens with 198 rushing attempts in 2023. Edwards also recorded a team high with 13 rushing scores, while quarterback Lamar Jackson topped Baltimore with 821 yards on the ground. Jackson - who is looking to be "more agile" after losing weight - has led the AFC North club in rushing yards every season since 2019.The Ravens had an NFL-leading 541 carries in 2023, Monken's first year in town."I thought we did a good job last year of rotating the backs. I mean, Gus was powerful, but we split the reps," Monken said. "Now, we had Keaton (Mitchell), who came on, and we had Justice (Hill) and those guys, but I still anticipate the same - of using all of our backs (and) trying to put them in the best position to be successful."Mitchell - an undrafted rookie last year - was a sensation for Baltimore in the second half of the 2023 season, as he rushed for 396 yards and two touchdowns on just 47 carries in six games - good for 8.4 yards per attempt. However, the 22-year-old sustained a torn ACL in December and isn't expected to be ready for Week 1.Led by two-time NFL MVP Jackson, the Ravens won the AFC North with a 13-4 record in 2023 but ultimately fell short against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC title game.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Welcome to theScore Fantasy Football Podcast, hosted by Justin Boone.Find the show on Spotify, Apple, and Google.In this episode, Boone discusses seven veterans fantasy managers should take a chance on this year.

Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams hasn't enjoyed the brightest start to his NFL career, but he believes an attitude adjustment has him turning a corner."I think I've matured a lot," Williams said Thursday, according to Kyle Meinke of MLive. "Coming in the league, I still had some childish ways. Wanted to do what I wanted to do and how I wanted to do it. Sometimes you got to listen and just be on the right track. Follow the right path, and you'll be down the right way."The Lions traded a first-, second-, and third-round pick in the 2022 draft to move up and select Williams 12th overall. Detroit also received a second-round selection, which was used to select defensive lineman Josh Paschal.Williams missed the first 11 games of his NFL career due to a torn ACL he suffered in college. He made his debut in Week 13 of the 2022 season but ultimately only totaled 40 receiving yards in six contests.The 23-year-old was handed a six-game suspension to start last campaign for violating the league's gambling policy. The ban was eventually reduced to four contests, opening the door for Williams to return in Week 5. He played 53% of the snaps in 12 games, racking up 383 total yards and three scores.Williams is set to see an increase in workload next season, as 2023 starting wideout Josh Reynolds departed for the Denver Broncos in free agency. Head coach Dan Campbell is thrilled with how Williams has looked so far this offseason, saying he's the most improved player on the roster since the start of spring, according to team insider Tim Twentyman."He's a man on a mission, and I'm just gonna leave it at that," Campbell added, per Colton Pouncy of The Athletic.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones is confident he'll be ready for the start of the 2024 season after suffering a torn ACL in November."I don't have any doubt about it," Jones said Thursday, according to NFL.com's Kevin Patra.After taking part in seven-on-seven drills during Giants OTAs, Jones said it "felt good" to get back on the field and shake off the rust."Just getting back in the swing of things and playing football against the defense. ... Rehab process has been smooth up to this point, and (it) feels good doing all that kind of stuff," he said.

Aaron Rodgers is excited about the New York Jets playing several prime-time games again this season."I love it," the four-time NFL MVP recently said on "Mad Dog Sports Radio." "We are must-watch TV. That's pretty obvious, everybody knows that. Whether you love me or hate me, people want to see me play. They enjoy watching me play. And we are a team to watch this year. Not surprising."The NFL gave the Jets six prime-time games in 2024, tied with the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys for the most in the league. That number can still rise because of the NFL's flex scheduling. New York is the first team in the Super Bowl era to receive that many games in prime time within the season's first 11 weeks.New York will kick things off in the first Monday Night Football of the campaign versus San Francisco. The game will mark Rodgers' return from injury after he went down with an Achilles ailment four snaps into his Jets debut in the 2023 season's first MNF."Make it difficult, let's see how we stack up against the top teams in the league," Rodgers said. "San Fran 100% will be one of the top teams in the NFL."The Jets have failed to make the playoffs since the 2010 season.Mike North, the NFL's vice president of broadcast partners, recently said that the league still has high expectations for Rodgers and that the Jets "owe us one" after it gave New York several prime-time contests in 2023."As far as us owing people, that's fine, whatever," Rodgers said. "I don't care what anybody has to say about that. It was shitty for me, it was rough for the league, I get it, me only playing a few plays last year. That's going to be different this year. What happens when we pay them back this year with six great prime-time games? What are they going to say next year?"Owners of an elite defense, the Jets once again added high-profile pieces to their offense this offseason. New York signed two-time 1,000-yard receiver Mike Williams and All-Pro offensive tackle Tyron Smith, among others.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After years as an afterthought, the Detroit Lions are among the favorites to win the Super Bowl in 2024. Despite the increased pressure, head coach Dan Campbell is focused solely on the ultimate prize and ignoring Super Bowl-or-bust talk."I don't see bust. I see Super Bowl," Campbell said Thursday, according to ESPN's Eric Woodyard. "I don't know what bust is."The Lions won their first-ever NFC North title in 2023 before ending a 32-year wait for a playoff win in the wild-card round. Detroit fell short in the NFC Championship Game after leading the San Francisco 49ers by 17 points at halftime.Campbell knows the Lions must start building themselves up now if they're to go one step further in 2024."You've got to set yourself up no different than last year, certain things you gotta do to really make that valid and to make that a reality," Campbell said. "Ultimately, that's what we want to do. Now to do that, you better win the division. ... You've got to start with where we're at now."You've got to go back to work. You've got to do all the little things, which to this point, our guys have done."The Lions have gone all-in on their current core this offseason, signing quarterback Jared Goff, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, and left tackle Penei Sewell to big-money extensions totaling $444 million.Detroit was also aggressive in the draft and free agency. The club traded up in the first round to secure cornerback Terrion Arnold, one of four times it moved up during the draft. The Lions also handed defensive tackle D.J. Reader a two-year, $22-million deal in free agency and acquired cornerback Carlton Davis in a trade.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Half PPR

The Philadelphia Eagles signed wide receiver John Ross to a one-year deal, the team announced Thursday.Ross participated in the Eagles' rookie camp after accepting a tryout invitation.The 28-year-old last played an NFL game with the New York Giants in 2021. Ross signed a reserve/future contract with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2023 but informed the team before training camp that he was retiring.Ross was selected ninth overall by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2017 draft. He spent four seasons with the franchise but struggled to stay healthy, suiting up in only 27 contests during his tenure.The Washington product is known for speed, as he broke the 40-yard dash record at the 2017 combine with a blistering 4.22 time. Chiefs wideout Xavier Worthy topped that record at this year's combine.The No. 3 wide receiver spot on the Eagles is up for grabs this summer. DeVante Parker, who Philadelphia signed to a one-year deal in March, decided to retire this week. Other wideouts on the roster outside of DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown include Parris Campbell, Britain Covey, Joseph Ngata, and rookies Johnny Wilson and Ainias Smith.Ross has 62 catches for 957 yards and 11 touchdowns in 37 career games.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has accomplished a lot in his NFL career, but one thing he has yet to achieve is throwing a behind-the-back pass in a game. That could change this season.During an appearance on FS1's "First Things First" on Wednesday, Mahomes vowed to unleash the move on the field."We didn't play as well offensively enough for me to pull the behind-the-back pass off this last year," Mahomes explained. "It's no one else's fault than myself because Coach (Andy) Reid wants me to throw it behind the back more than anyone in the world. He deliberately puts in plays that I have the opportunity to throw the ball behind the back. So it's not a coaching thing, it's me not having that confidence to do it in the game."One of these games, man. We gotta do it. There's too much hype on it. We gotta do it and hopefully it's to Travis (Kelce), because I feel like he's the best at judging the behind-the-back pass."While Mahomes has yet to attempt the pass in a game, he did pull it off in practice.

Peyton Manning knows firsthand that rookie quarterbacks can struggle in the NFL, but the Hall of Famer still would like to see the Denver Broncos play Bo Nix in 2024."Experience is still your best teacher," Manning said Wednesday when asked if he had some advice for Nix, according to Andrew Mason of DenverSports.com."There's lots of philosophy and debates on whether you sit a rookie or you play him right away. Obviously, Patrick Mahomes sat for a year, and he's been in the AFC championship every year since. If he would've played as a rookie, I still think he would've had the same success. I played as a rookie, it was not a fun year."Manning won a record five NFL MVP awards and is widely considered one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. However, the 1998 first overall pick struggled in his rookie campaign as a member of the Indianapolis Colts, completing just 56.7% of his passes while throwing a league-high 28 interceptions.

It's safe to say Saquon Barkley is already enjoying his time as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles."It's a fresh start, and I feel like a rookie again, getting to know everybody here, learning about the culture, and buying into the culture. I'm feeling like this is home," the star running back said Wednesday, according to Chris Franklin of NJ.com.Barkley signed a three-year contract with the Eagles this offseason after spending his first six NFL seasons with the Giants, who drafted him second overall in 2018. The star tailback played 2023 on a one-year deal with New York before joining the team's divisional rival.The former Penn State stud - who ranks fourth in career rushing yards in Giants history - has averaged 1,680 scrimmage yards and 11 total touchdowns per 17 games played since entering the league. The 2018 Offensive Rookie of the Year also holds the single-season record for most receptions by a first-year RB (91).Barkley rushed for 962 yards (3.9 per carry) and six touchdowns in 14 games last year in addition to catching 41 passes for 280 yards and four scores. He's taking part in his first OTA practices with the Eagles this week.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott seems unfazed by his current contract situation heading into the summer."I don't play for money," Prescott said Wednesday, according to team reporter Patrik Walker. "Never have and never cared, to be honest with you. I would give it up to just play this game."I'll leave that to the business people to say what it's worth and (what) they're supposed to give a quarterback of my play, a person of my play, and a leader of my (caliber). I'll control what I can control, and the rest will take care of itself."Prescott is entering the final year of a four-year, $160-million deal he signed in 2021. He has a $29-million base salary this campaign and a staggering $55-million cap hit (second-highest in the NFL). Dallas will have to eat a $40.1-million cap hit in 2025 if Prescott leaves in free agency.Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said in April that the team wants Prescott in Dallas long term. However, it was reported in March that the team has yet to offer him a contract extension. The club has the fifth-least cap space in the NFL and is currently negotiating extensions with stars CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons."Business is business," Prescott added. "Right now, it's about being my best for this team in this moment - OTAs and helping these guys out. I'm focused on that. I know my business will take care of itself. Been in it before; I'm experienced. Just controlling what I can control."Prescott had arguably the best season of his career in 2023, securing second-team All-Pro honors while totaling 4,516 passing yards and a league-leading 36 touchdowns.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback and two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson said he expects to be even more elusive after dropping weight this offseason."I don't really know how many pounds I lost," Jackson said Wednesday after Baltimore's second OTA practice, according to ESPN's Jamison Hensley. "I'm like (200-something pounds) right now. But I (will) just say it was important enough to be able to move around a little bit extra, that's all."Jackson added that he's hoping to "be more agile."The 27-year-old recently revealed that he dropped weight this year, saying he's 205 pounds - down from 230 in 2022 and 215 in 2023.

The 2026 NFL Draft will be held in Pittsburgh, the league announced Wednesday."We look forward to football fans from all across the country coming to enjoy our city's culture while also showcasing our rich football history and tradition in the region," Pittsburgh Steelers owner and president Art Rooney II said in a statement."We think it will be the largest visitor event in the history of Pittsburgh," Rooney told reporters Wednesday, according to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.The NFL draft has grown into a spectacle in recent years. The 2024 edition in Detroit attracted a record 775,000 fans, per the NFL.The 2025 draft will be held in Green Bay.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens believes the world still hasn't seen him at his absolute best."I'd probably say 80%," Pickens told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Jason Mackey when asked how much of his ability fans have seen. "I can only go off of how the quarterback plays. I can thrive more. ... The yardage showed it. I should have made the Pro Bowl (last season)."Pickens was the Steelers' leading receiver last season, catching 63 passes for 1,140 yards and five touchdowns. However, he endured inconsistent quarterback play with Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky, and Mason Rudolph all taking snaps.Pickens will have a new quarterback group this season with the additions of Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. He'll also have a new offensive coordinator in Arthur Smith. Plus, Pickens has become the undisputed No. 1 target following the trade of veteran receiver Diontae Johnson."I feel like it can benefit a lot," Pickens said about the offensive changes. "With this type of mindset or scheme, my job is to just get open."Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.