Kirk Cousins is set to play out 2017 on the franchise tag, and the quarterback reportedly rebuffed a lowball offer from the Washington Redskins in May.Washington offered Cousins a five-year contract extension worth an average of around $20 million per year, a source told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.Only the first two years of the contract would have been guaranteed, Pelissero added.The offer was unlikely to entice Cousins to sign. He's already set to earn nearly $24 million fully guaranteed under the tag in 2017, so the extension would have essentially added just one year of security while locking the veteran pivot into a below-market average salary.Cousins and the Redskins are both reportedly OK with him playing under the tag this campaign, and the 28-year-old is apparently open to re-signing with Washington - despite rumors he'd look to force an exit in the upcoming offseason.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer has been cleared to fly again and will return to Minnesota for training camp next week, a source told Brian Murphy of the Pioneer Press.Zimmer has undergone eight surgeries since November to repair a torn retina in his right eye, and he'll likely need to wear glasses upon returning to the field.If Zimmer wasn't cleared to resume air travel, he said he'd attend training camp by driving from one of his homes in Kentucky.The 61-year-old missed a Dec. 1 game against the Dallas Cowboys due to one of the surgeries.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Since being acquired by his homewtown Oakland Raiders, Marshawn Lynch has continued to make his presence felt as the city's most ubiquitous resident.Lynch, who's often been a fixture at Golden State Warriors games, threw out the first pitch before Sunday's contest between the Oakland A's and Cleveland Indians.

Monday marks this summer's franchise tag deadline, the last day a player given the franchise tag can negotiate a long-term contract extension ahead of the 2017 season. If the player and team cannot agree to a deal, the player will be subjected to the stipulations of the tag for the upcoming season.What does that mean for the players and the teams involved? Here's a quick guide to Monday's deadline.Le'Veon Bell Bell possesses a strong case to be considered as the NFL's best running back, and the 25-year-old wants to be paid accordingly. Under the terms of the franchise tag, Bell would play the upcoming season on a one-year, $12.1-million contract, a figure that would make him the league's highest-paid running back by a wide margin. Buffalo's LeSean McCoy and Carolina's Jonathan Stewart will earn $8 million in 2017, the second-highest figures for a running back.Many analysts have argued that it's unwise to pay a premium for a running back, with numerous backs getting touches and a relatively short, finite window in the league before they become replaceable again. Bell is the outlier in this framework, emerging as a genuine superstar and is entering his peak at 25. It's a tough decision for the Steelers with Bell already commanding top dollar at this position, but he's also a budding superstar that continues to make his team a perennial Super Bowl contender.Kirk Cousins After Cousins excelled as the Redskins' starter in 2015, the organization hedged against the prospect of him repeating his performance during the 2016 campaign, and lost. Cousins earned his first Pro Bowl selection while solidifying his status as the engineer of the Redskins' offense, a development that caught the franchise by surprise. Both parties tried to reach a long-term deal before free agency, but Cousins became the first quarterback to receive the franchise tag in consecutive years.Related: Cousins unlikely to sign before deadline, open to deal after seasonCousins will earn $23.93 million under the terms of the franchise tag for the upcoming season, barring a last-minute, long-term deal, a notion that seems extremely unlikely based off the reports emanating from the nation's capital. This would make him the NFL's fifth highest-paid quarterback in 2017, trailing Derek Carr, Andrew Luck, Carson Palmer, and Drew Brees. While some believe Cousins doesn't belong in that tier of quarterbacks, he's proved to be a capable starter with a few flashes of stardom throughout his two years as the full-time starter.Now the Redskins face a dilemma with Cousins, as a third consecutive franchise tag on him would present an unpalatable figure for the organization, currently operating without a general manager. In any event, Cousins is destined to get paid, it's just a matter of by whom.

Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson emerged as arguably the NFL's greatest all-around threat in 2016, and he has every intention of tormenting defenders once again this fall.Johnson reiterated his belief that he's ready for 30 touches per game, a notion that ought to give defensive coordinators nightmares."I feel like there's room for me to definitely carry more," Johnson said Sunday on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio. "I think the biggest thing is me learning and getting better and improving. So I feel like I can definitely get that 30 touches, not all rushing obviously, 30 touches per game."I feel like I definitely have the ability to do that just because I'm a young guy still in my first contract, feeling great - knee's 100 percent, no problems - and I'm ready to go."Johnson rushed for 1,239 yards and 16 touchdowns last year, adding 80 receptions for 879 yards and four more scores, earning Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro honors. The 25-year-old operated as the central pillar of the Cardinals' offense and will be given every opportunity to dominate again in 2017.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New England Patriots made significant improvements this summer after going 14-2 and winning Super Bowl LI, so there's ample reason to believe they'll defend their title without much contest. Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman doesn't subscribe to that theory, however.Edelman, who recorded a stunning catch in Super Bowl LI that will live forever in the game's lore, rejected the idea that the Patriots can go undefeated in 2017."You can't worry about what other people say, honestly," Edelman said Sunday to Adam Kurkjian of the Boston Herald. "I mean, there's no script to this thing. There's no camera. This isn't Hollywood. This is real life. When you go out and play in the National Football League, it's one of those things where it's even stupid to think about that. It's never been done. You don't really want to talk about it."My focus is more on trying to get ready for the season, trying to learn your teammates, form your identity. (The 19-0 talk is) stupid. That's it."The Patriots went undefeated during the 2007 season, only to falter against the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII. Edelman wasn't part of that team, but the lessons learned from the Patriots' stunning loss have been embedded into the franchise's philosophy.Featuring on a team that is the clear-cut favorite next fall, Edelman will likely receive more questions about the prospect of going undefeated. For the time being, Edelman wants no part of it, as the Patriots prepare their title defense.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Each week, theScore will go division by division, highlighting which three players' performances will most impact their team's season in 2017.Russell Wilson For the first time in Wilson's storied career, the Seahawks' porous offensive line finally affected his play negatively, as he was sacked 41 times and failed to build off the best stretch of his career. He remains their fearless leader and still boasts a Super Bowl pedigree, but he'll need to be at his best in order to navigate a loaded NFC field in order to win a second title.Some believe Wilson's an elite talent, while others dismiss him as a product of a conservative offense. Regardless of the narrative, Wilson at his peak is a daunting prospect for the rest of the league. If he manages an elite performance, Seattle should roll to the NFC West title.Bobby Wagner Wagner is one of the most cerebral linebackers in the NFL and boasts world-class athleticism to boot. With a preternatural sense of where the play is going before the snap, Wagner is the commander of the front seven and seemingly gets better every season. The 27-year-old was named a first-team All-Pro for the second time last year, and he's quietly approaching a Hall of Fame-caliber career - a bid that would be aided by a second ring.While the Seahawks' secondary has cachet, with the "Legion of Boom" nickname recognized in households everywhere, it's Wagner who operates as the brain of the defense, along with Earl Thomas.Earl Thomas This iteration of the Seahawks' defense will be remembered as one of the greatest units of all time, but its vulnerability was on full display when Thomas broke his leg in Week 13. He'd never missed a game in his career prior to the injury, and his intelligence and closing speed were sorely missed during the final stretch.Thomas lets the Seahawks play a simple Cover 3 base defense, with his acceleration, speed, and play recognition allowing his teammates to be more aggressive in pursuit of the ball. The five-time Pro Bowler is essentially the team's fixer, cleaning up mistakes made by the cornerbacks and front seven. Without Thomas, the Seahawks are already fearsome; with him healthy, they're a leading contender once again.Also from this series

The lawyer for Houston Texans running back D'Onta Foreman released a statement Sunday denying that his client was guilty of a crime after Foreman's arrest on drug and weapon charges.Jail records show Foreman was arrested early Sunday by University of Texas police and charged with marijuana possession of two ounces or less and unlawfully carrying a weapon.Foreman's lawyer acknowledged the arrest, but said the gun Foreman was carrying was legally obtained and stored inside Foreman's vehicle, and that the marijuana in the vehicle was in the possession of a passenger and not Foreman.The full statement is below:

Video emerged Sunday of Denver Broncos wideout Cody Latimer appearing to be pepper-sprayed during a fight reportedly outside a strip club, prompting a response from the player.TMZ Sports posted the video Sunday morning:Latimer later took to his Twitter account to note that the incident happened six months ago. He claims he was merely trying to diffuse the situation, but notes that he has grown a lot since then.

Kirk Cousins is not expected to sign a long-term deal with the Washington Redskins before Monday's deadline for franchise-tagged players, but is open to a deal after the season, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.Due to earn $23.94 million this season after being franchise tagged for a second straight year, Cousins is loaded with leverage and has a good shot at becoming the NFL's highest-paid player when he eventually signs his next contract.The two sides have never appeared likely to reach a deal before Monday's deadline, but Schefter's report should help squash the rumor that Cousins wants out of Washington and has no intention of ever signing a long-term deal with the team.Tagging Cousins for a third straight season would cost the Redskins an untenable figure in the range of $34.5 million fully guaranteed, so it's likely the situation will come to a conclusion (either via a long-term deal or Cousins being traded) early next offseason.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Houston Texans running back D'Onta Foreman was arrested early Sunday and charged with marijuana possession of two ounces or less and unlawfully carrying a weapon, Brian Davis of the Austin American-Statesman reports.Foreman was a third-round pick in this year's draft. He ran for 2,028 yards in his junior season at Texas and was named the Doak Walker winner as the nation's most outstanding running back in 2016.Jail records show that Foreman was arrested by the University of Texas police department.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

"Game of Thrones" returns to the small screen Sunday night, which has several NFL players buzzing along with the millions of other fans of HBO's hit show.One such player is New England Patriots wideout Julian Edelman, who tweeted a photo Sunday afternoon that featured the banner of House Stark (that's the one with Jon, Arya, Sansa, etc.) hanging on Winterfell, only instead of the Stark sigil there is a Patriots-inspired logo.

New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia made headlines when he was captured on video wearing a T-shirt depicting NFL commissioner Roger Goodell as a clown after the Patriots' win in Super Bowl LI.

Each week, theScore will go division by division, highlighting which three players' performances will most impact their team's season in 2017.Solomon ThomasThe 49ers eschewed using their top-three draft pick on a quarterback and opted instead for the NFL-ready defensive end. They better hope they made the right call.It's a rare occurrence for a QB-needy, two-win team to bypass the opportunity to add a franchise-altering quarterback, but the Niners recognized they have multiple holes on their roster. The chance to add an immediate difference-maker couldn't be passed up.It's the second consecutive season in which San Fran has used a top-10 pick on a defensive lineman, as the organization tries to rebuild its once envied defense from front to back.DeForest BucknerBuckner, the No. 7 pick of a year ago, showed flashes of brilliance in his introductory season, finishing fourth among rookies in sacks with six on the year. He'll face another challenge in Year 2, though. In addition to competing against opposing linemen, he'll have to adjust to a new system under a new coaching staff.He has the blessing of one of the league's best, as Michael Bennett of the rival Seahawks has declared Buckner a future Defensive Player of the Year. John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan inherited the talent, and are hoping it amounts to found money.Pierre GarconHe may be 30 years old, but Pierre Garcon will play a large role in the 49ers' offense. The team lavished him with a five-year, $47.5-million contract in hopes he can boost the talent on that side of the ball. He's one of the Niners' few established weapons.However, he's coming off just his second 1,000-yard campaign in a nine-year career. To rest the aerial attack on Garcon's shoulders may be a little much to ask, but with unproven players surrounding him, San Francisco has no choice.He'll likely have to endure plenty of losses while contending with top corners. The present may not be pretty, but Garcon will need to be the bridge to a brighter future.(Photos courtesy: Action Images)Also from this series

The NFL doesn't have an award for Breakout Player of the Year. But if it did, Landon Collins would have won it last season - at least on the defensive side.The New York Giants safety went from decent rookie to Defensive Player of the Year candidate in his first two years after being selected with the first pick of the second round in 2016. Collins was expected to be a good player, but not this good and not this fast.With a slew of talented defensive backs entering the league over the past few drafts, we take a look at who the next young breakout safety will be in 2017.Karl Joseph, RaidersThe top safety selected in the 2016 draft had a rocky start to his rookie season, being limited in training camp and not playing the opening two weeks due to a knee injury. However, the 23-year-old made a splash in his debut start, racking up 10 tackles and earning a full-time starting role until being knocked out with a toe problem in Week 14.Joseph is experiencing his first full offseason as a first-string safety, and said he's feeling more comfortable after being "timid" in his rookie year. He's caught the eye of all-time great Ronnie Lott, who sees a lot of himself in Joseph.Keanu Neal, FalconsIt's taken just one year for Neal to earn the Kam Chancellor role in Dan Quinn's defense. The hard-hitting defender eclipsed 100 tackles in 14 games as a rookie (Collins did the same) and played a key role in the Falcons' Super Bowl run.Neal's comparison to Chancellor isn't just due to them playing in the same scheme and having a physical reputation; the two violent safeties also train together in the offseason.Though he forced five fumbles and nine pass breakups, Neal didn't record an interception in 2016, but even Collins notched just one pick in his first year.Sean Davis, SteelersPittsburgh put a lot on Davis' plate in his first season, asking the second-round safety to start the year as its nickel corner. He performed admirably until a costly facemask penalty resulted in a loss to the Cowboys in Week 10.The following week, Davis began to start at strong safety, which sparked a winning streak that didn't end until the team met the Patriots in the AFC Championship. The 23-year-old was named the Steelers' Rookie of the Year, finishing the campaign with 70 tackles, one interception, one-and-a-half sacks, and five pass breakups.Vonn Bell, SaintsNew Orleans' second-rounder entered the season as the team's third safety behind Kenny Vaccaro and Jairus Byrd, but ended up playing more snaps than any Saints defender. It took him just one game to earn the starting strong safety spot, where he played outstandingly despite the Saints' poor all-around defense.According to Pro Football Focus, Bell was one of two safeties to play at least 200 snaps without missing a single tackle in run defense, along with the Green Bay Packers' Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. For reference, Bell played a total of 1,115 snaps.With Byrd released from the team, he'll see even more snaps and will be given more opportunities to make plays, as the Saints expect an improved defense in 2017.Clayton Geathers, ColtsA fourth-round pick in 2015, Geathers was quiet as a rookie before bursting onto the scene in his sophomore season. Unfortunately, the 25-year-old had his year cut short by a neck injury that has put some doubt in his status for Week 1.But if Geathers gets healthy in training camp, he'll be one to watch out for in 2017. The third-year pro recorded 59 tackles in nine starts - 50 of them solo stops - as well as five pass breakups and a forced fumble.Collins and Geathers were Pro Football Focus' two most improved second-year safeties. The Colts defender will now be paired with rangy rookie stud Malik Hooker on the back end, and will have more freedom to be an aggressive playmaker.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Denver Broncos general manager and vice president John Elway is in negotiations for a new contract that will make him the NFL's highest-paid person in his position, reports Woody Paige of the Colorado Springs Gazette.Paige expects an announcement to be made publicly when the Broncos open training camp on July 27."We're working to get it done,'' Broncos CEO and president Joe Ellis said. "We've had some productive discussions in the last week or so and will keep talking. John's an important part of our organization, and we want to make sure he's here for a long time.''Paige reports that Elway's deal is in the range of $30 million to $35 million for a five-year period, paying him between $6 million and $7 million per season. The deal would be the largest of his career, as a player or an executive. The current highest-paid GMs are reportedly Ozzie Newsome of the Baltimore Ravens and John Schneider of the Seattle Seahawks, who both make $3.75 million a year.Elway has worked in the Broncos' front office since 2011 as the vice president of football operations and assumed the role of GM after the 2011 season. The Broncos have had a winning record in every season since Elway arrived, making the playoffs in all but one campaign, appearing in two Super Bowls, and winning one Lombardi Trophy.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Johnny Manziel's NFL career may not be over yet.At a fantasy football convention in Dallas on Saturday, the former Cleveland Browns quarterback told Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News that he has had a couple discussions with NFL teams about returning to the league."I know the situation that I put myself in," said Manziel. "I know the year I took off and obviously the mistakes that I made. Right now, I'm hopeful. I'm really hopeful."I think that I made some progress in that regard. But we'll see. Whenever I get a call, I'll do whatever I can to make the most of it."Manziel has not played since 2015, when he made six starts while throwing for 1,500 yards with seven touchdowns and five interceptions. He has reportedly not received interest from a team since being released in March 2016, though he sat down for a "get to know you" breakfast with New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton in February.The 24-year-old only got a taste of life in the NFL, being active for just 14 games over two seasons, and is hungry to return to the game."I think the thing I realized over the past year and the thing I realized from being away from it is really how much you miss it," said Manziel. "That's all I've known for so long. It's what I love to do. It's hard. It's hard sitting here going through OTA time and going through summer time and then getting ready to go through fall camp and not being part of it."But at the same time, I'm really optimistic and hopeful that I'll get another chance. That's really what I'm holding out for every day."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Who better to debate Skip Bayless than ... Skip Bayless?In this well-edited video, created by YouTube user Will Schleichert, the FOX Sports 1 host argues with himself about the greatness of Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Bayless flip-flops throughout, at one point going from describing him as being "above anybody who's playing this game on a human level right now" to "the most over-hyped quarterback in the history of pro football."- With h/t to Extra MustardCopyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

What a guy.Alex Smith may be the quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs on the field, but he's got nothing against his competition off of it.The 13-year pro spotted some Oakland Raiders fans at the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship Tournament in need of some help on Friday and jumped right in to assist.

Warning: Video contains offensive languageCam Newton hasn't been shy about sharing his musical "talent" in the past, nor has be been afraid to wear ridiculous hats.At the release party for his new Under Armour sneaker, the Carolina Panthers quarterback put his off-field habits on full display, rapping with 2 Chainz in one of his self-branded lids.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Teddy Bridgewater still has no timetable for a return from his devastating August 2016 knee injury, but the Minnesota Vikings quarterback continues to give reasons for optimism.After posting a series of brace-free workout pictures Wednesday, Bridgewater tweeted out snaps of some drills he ran with former Louisville teammate and current Miami Dolphins wide receiver, DeVante Parker, on Saturday.

Former NFL wide receiver Terrell Owens is hoping to land a contract with Ice Cube's three-on-three basketball league.Owens pleaded with the BIG3 co-founder during a video call with TMZ Sports."My football prowess, that speaks for itself, but I think if you ask around the BIG3 league and even outside of that, the guys know I can hoop," the 43-year-old Owens said. "I like what you guys are doing, man, let me come out there, display some of my skills and let me play against some of the best."Owens, who ranks second all time in NFL receiving yards, revealed in an interview with Josh Peter of USA TODAY Sports last month that he regrets not pursuing a career in professional basketball."If I had to choose between football and basketball, I'm taking that roundball all day," Owens said. "I probably would have had a longer career in basketball than I did in football. People don't know that, but yes."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

In the NFL's slow period before training camps get underway in late July, it can be hard to keep entertained.However, Oakland Raiders guard Kelechi Osemele and defensive end Khalil Mack have found a worthwhile way to pass the time: making fun of their quarterback on social media.Osemele and Mack reacted with joy to a tweet that compared Derek Carr to a doll of Sid Phillips, the villain from Pixar's "Toy Story":

Cam Newton's arm will get its first work next week since the star quarterback underwent shoulder surgery in March. Newton is expected to throw with his receivers at a pre-training camp session in Baltimore, and rookie Christian McCaffrey will be among the attendees.The Newton-McCaffrey connection is set to be a significant part of the Panthers' offense moving forward, and the first-year running back said Friday that Carolina has zero concerns about the 2015 NFL MVP's health."The biggest thing is just getting on the same page where everybody is in sync," McCaffrey said, according to ESPN's David Newton. "We're all good on our steps, we're all good on our routes, so we want to come into training camp and look fluid."Nobody is worried about Cam. He's going to be just fine. He's a helluva player, a helluva athlete. He'll adjust real quickly."Newton was expected to resume throwing during June's minicamp, but Carolina delayed his return while reassuring Panthers fans that their star player hadn't suffered a setback in his rehab.For McCaffrey, he just can't wait to step onto a field with a talent like Newton."I've always liked him," McCaffrey said. "He's an unbelievable competitor with incredible emotion. A lot of people take it the wrong way, but that's who he is."He carries himself with a lot of swag, and as a young guy looking up, that's motivation. You look at that and somebody who came in and really started balling early. Guys like that you want to play with."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Each week, theScore will go division by division, highlighting which three players' performances will most impact their team's season in 2017.Jared Goff Goff's progression - or lack thereof - will likely determine the Rams' fate in 2017. Selected with the first overall pick in the 2016 draft, he failed to live up to expectations during his rookie year, but the direction of the franchise is quite literally in his hands as he enters his second campaign. After completing 54.6 percent of his passes last season, Goff will need to take major steps in his development or the Rams may have to write him off.Los Angeles drafted tight end Gerald Everett and wide receiver Cooper Kupp in the second and third rounds, respectively, in order to aid Goff during his sophomore season. However, the Rams still lack real firepower, and it's now on Goff to elevate his supporting cast, or run the risk of his pro career quickly closing in on him.Aaron Donald Donald is the NFL's preeminent defensive tackle and will be counted upon to lead the defense once again. A disruptive force capable of taking over games by himself, he'll have the thankless task of elevating a unit that finished 23rd in scoring defense last year.It's entirely possible that Donald skips training camp in search of a lucrative contract extension, a disastrous proposition for a top-heavy Rams defense. Assuming he suits up for Week 1, however, the first-team All-Pro will resume his responsibility of operating as a one-man wrecking ball. Anything less from Donald and the defense will capitulate.Todd Gurley Gurley's brutal sophomore campaign was among the more shocking storylines of 2016 after his excellent rookie year. So, which Gurley will show up this season - the virtuoso talent who took the league by storm, or the back who looked completely lost on the field last fall?Gurley will turn 23 in August, and it's far too early to predict he'll flame out again this year, as he still boasts outstanding acceleration, speed, and field vision. If he can regain his rookie form, the Rams could surprise in the NFC West; if he falters again, the team will likely struggle to stay in playoff contention. He's definitely a player worth monitoring early on.(Photos courtesy: Action Images)Also from this series

Carolina Panthers star tight end Greg Olsen has yet to decide how he'll proceed with his grievance over his current contract, his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk on Friday.Rosenhaus said his client is still undecided about whether to hold out from training camp in order to push the Panthers to rework his deal, which has two years worth a total of $13 million remaining.Olsen expressed unhappiness with his current deal in late June, arguing that after producing three 1,000-yard seasons he should be paid among the elite of the position. He was noncommittal when asked if would stay away from the team to leverage a deal.If Olsen does hold out, he'd be subject to a $40,000 fine for every day he misses. The Panthers report to camp July 25, so time is running out to make a decision.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Philip Rivers and Antonio Gates have been synonymous with the Chargers for nearly 15 years, but the dynamic duo is still ringless as the end of their careers loom.Running back Melvin Gordon said Friday on NFL Network that Los Angeles is motivated to help the team's two eldest statesmen earn a Super Bowl title before they hang up their cleats."Father Time is coming with my boy (Antonio) Gates and (Philip Rivers)," Gordon said, according to NFL.com's Jeremy Bergman. "It would mean a lot to get those guys that ring before they step down, especially Gates. I think we might lose him after this year; you never know with Gates. But it would be love to have him walk away with a ring and put that stamp on his career, so that's definitely what we want."The 37-year-old Gates flirted with retirement this offseason, but ultimately opted to return, likely partly due to being one score away from breaking a tie with Tony Gonzalez for the most touchdowns by a tight end in NFL history.While Rivers, 35, appears to have a larger window in which to capture his elusive first title, it's possible the move away from San Diego to L.A. will cause him to question how much longer he wants to play.Gordon will need to continue his ascension if the Chargers are to emerge as contenders. In 2016, the third-year back rebounded from a disappointing rookie season in which he failed to score a touchdown by finding the end zone 12 times and falling three yards short of 1,000 rushing yards due to a late-season injury.Now, Gordon has his sights on adding some bling to his hand after getting a look at New England Patriots running back James White's ring collection."Winning season, man. We want a Super Bowl," Gordon explained. "My boy James White, he has two of those things. I go to his apartment and you open up the little case and they've got the light flashing on the ring. All you can think about is I wish that could be me."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Washington Redskins reportedly remain torn over whether Kirk Cousins is "the guy" or not."Internal disagreement exists within the organization regarding Cousins' actual value" still remains despite the quarterback producing back-to-back solid seasons as the starter, a source told Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.These disagreements began when it became clear in 2015 that Cousins was the superior option to Robert Griffin III, with some wanting to persist with Griffin due to the king's ransom Washington gave up to acquire him, adds Florio.Washington slapped Cousins with the franchise tag for the second straight year this offseason, and he's reportedly expected to play out the 2017 season without a long-term contract.Related: The cases for and against giving Kirk Cousins an extensionIf Washington wants to tag Cousins again, it will cost them $28.7 million under the transition tag - though that would allow other teams to make a play for him - or $34.7 million under the franchise tag.After giving Cousins nearly $44 million combined in 2016 and 2017, it seems unlikely the Redskins would be willing to push his three-year earnings to nearly $78 million - more than the three-year value of Andrew Luck and Derek Carr's league-topping deals.However, they'll risk losing him if they don't. The San Francisco 49ers have been heavily rumored to be interested in acquiring Cousins should he become available, and the veteran pivot won't be lacking for other suitors, either.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Each week, theScore will go division by division, highlighting which three players' performances will most impact their team's season in 2017.Robert NkemdicheCalais Campbell - and his 56.5 career sacks - has left for Jacksonville, so someone else will have to fill the substantial gap left behind on Arizona's defensive line.Nkemdiche was drafted 29th overall in 2016 with the expectation he'd be Campbell's eventual replacement. However, he played in only five games during his rookie season, managing just one tackle and drawing the wrath of coach Bruce Arians. Still, he'll be given every opportunity to bounce back in 2017.Arizona had the second-best defense in the NFL last season, and Nkemdiche will have to contribute in order for the Cardinals to keep their perch.Carson PalmerFew would argue that how Palmer fares in 2017 will determine how the Cardinals finish. His career-best 2015 season coincided with a trip to the NFC Championship Game, and his fall back to earth last year resulted in a disappointing, playoff-less finish.Palmer has been through more than most during his NFL career. He suffered a torn ACL and MCL in his first playoff game with Cincinnati, tried to force a trade from that franchise before entering a pseudo-retirement, and tore his ACL again in 2014 with the Cardinals. He's now entering his 15th season and doesn't have any time to waste.For Palmer to cash in on Arizona's championship potential and take advantage of what's left of his own career, he'll have to rebound this season.Tyrann MathieuThe "Honey Badger" is a jack-of-all trades who's thrust himself into the conversation as one of the best defensive players in the league. He was even garnering support for the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2015 before he suffered a season-ending injury.Mathieu returned in 2016, but played in just 10 games due to a partial shoulder dislocation. If he returns fully healthy in 2017, he'll have as big an impact as any on how the Cardinals finish.Arians recently declared that Mathieu's shoulder is 100 percent, while the player is nearing that mark with the right knee he injured two seasons ago. The Cardinals will need the safety-linebacker hybrid in peak form to get where they want to go.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Also from this series

Arthur Blank is not a hands-off owner. So when he says his team won't be a one-year wonder, it's probably best to believe him.If you don't, however, here's some proof that he's not being over confident in his club.Matt RyanHaving a proven franchise quarterback on your roster goes a long way. The defending NFL MVP may have a hard time repeating his career year without his offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, but the 32-year-old is the trusted leader of the team. Not many teams in the league can honestly say they are as confident in their current quarterback situation as Atlanta.Ryan has made the Pro Bowl every second season since 2010, hasn't missed a game since 2009, and has led the team to just two losing seasons in his nine-year career. He may not be the most exciting personality the league has to offer, but his consistency and experience should put Falcons fans nerves at ease.Little turnoverAside from retiree Chris Chester, veteran D-linemen Jonathan Babineaux and Tyson Jackson, and pass-rusher Dwight Freeney (who might still re-sign), all of the Falcons' key players from the 2016 roster are returning. The veterans that were lost will be replaced by free agents, draft picks, and players already on the roster.As they look to build on last season and strengthen team chemistry, the Falcons won't need much time to catch each other up on the culture and identity of their club.Young, developing rosterHead coach Dan Quinn came to Atlanta with plans to use his former team, the Seattle Seahawks, as a blueprint for success. Like Pete Carroll's first trip to the Super Bowl, Quinn made it a long way with a young, talented group. Eleven players who started or made key contributions to the Falcons' 2016 campaign enter this season 25 years old or younger.Player Position AgeKeanu NealS21Deion JonesLB22Wes SchweitzerG23De'Vondre CampbellLB24Tevin ColemanRB24Jalen CoIlinsCB24Grady JarrettDT24Ricardo AllenS25Vic BeasleyLB25Devonta FreemanRB25Jake MatthewsLT25Recent draft picks Takkarist McKinley and Duke Riley, are also expected to play key roles in 2017, and with the emergence of Taylor Gabriel, return of Desmond Trufant, and signing of Dontari Poe - all age 26 - the Falcons are poised to be a force for years to come.That youth should also do wonders to create motivation instead of bitterness and frustration from the Falcons' devastating Super Bowl loss.HungerIt doesn't take a genius to figure out what will drive the Falcons in 2017, and likely beyond.It's been virtually impossible to miss all the "28-3" and "Falcons blew a 25-point lead in the Super Bowl" jokes, especially for some Falcons players.While it was just one game, that one game buried the story of the Falcons' 2016 success and made them the butt-end of endless jokes. Falcons players have spent much of the offseason answering questions about how that will affect them going forward. Once they hit the field again in September, they will be hungry to end those questions and find reasons to keep moving forward - though that loss is unforgettable.Still buildingThe 2016 Falcons are not the finished product Quinn set out to build when he accepted the head coaching job two seasons ago - he's still setting the foundation, and not just with his players.Quinn shook up his coaching staff, replacing Shanahan with Alabama coordinator Steve Sarkisian and promoting former NFL head coach Raheem Morris to passing game coordinator/assistant head coach.Defensively, he dismissed defensive coordinator Richard Smith and D-line coach Bryan Cox. He promoted several younger, developing coaches to vacated positions and added former All-Pro defensive tackle Bryant Young to replace Cox.The moves weren't done in frustration over the Super Bowl loss, but rather as part of Quinn's effort to fill his coaching staff with his own guys so he can achieve his vision for success.The Falcons are not the type of team to work for years, make one Super Bowl, and fade into obscurity. In fact, they're Super Bowl LI appearance was a tad ahead of schedule, according to their projected development. Don't expect the jokes to end any time soon, but if you think they're going to derail the Falcons' season, think again.(Photos courtesy: Action Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Bruce Arians' job title may be head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, but he will always be a father first.The veteran coach says he does not allow assistant coaches to stay at the facility past 10:00 p.m. and that he makes sure they do right by their kin."For our coaches, I tell them, if you miss a recital or a football game or a basketball game, I'll fire you," Arians told SiriusXM NFL radio. "You can always come back and work."Those kids are not going to be there forever. They're going to grow up and be gone."Arians says he made the policy in spite of one of his former bosses and mentors, Marty Schottenheimer, who didn't allow coaches to leave the office with the Kansas City Chiefs. Thanks to a lenient offensive coordinator, Arians was able to go see his son play a seventh-grade football game, and recalled the anecdote when deciding his own coaching policies."It was killing me to miss the game, and they played Thursday afternoons and Joe Pendry was a great offensive coordinator that we had," Arians said. "He said, 'Why you upset?' I said, 'I wanted to go see Jake play. They're playing right now.' He said, 'Go ahead.' I said, 'You know Marty doesn't allow us to leave the office.' He said, 'Well, I'll tell him you went jogging. Just, when you get back, throw some water on your face.'"As soon as (Jake) saw me in the stands, he lit up. It was some of the best days, watching the kids play."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott continues to draw high praise after putting the league on notice during his standout rookie season.Prescott, who earned Offensive Rookie of the Year honors after being thrust into the starter's role, drew comparisons to one of the all-time greats by none other than Hall of Fame linebacker Charles Haley."You know what? Dak reminds me of Joe (Montana)," Haley said to Newy Scruggs of NBC 5. "He's funny. He's charismatic. They had something to prove. They had a chip on their shoulder. That meant the more I'm around him, he has so much confidence ..."He came from nothing, like me. So guess what? What can you do? How can you hurt someone that came from nothing, that had to pull himself up from the bootstraps and walk out on the stage wearing that star on his head and go? What can you say? What can you do?"Haley - who won five Super Bowls during his career with the Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers - played with Montana from 1986-91 and is as good as an authority there is on the legendary quarterback.There's still a long way to go in Prescott's career, but perhaps he'll join Haley and Montana in Canton if he continues to develop like he did during his rookie campaign.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Just like old times, Joe Montana and Steve Young have contradictory opinions.While Montana believes fellow former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick's lack of employment is justified, his former teammate is startled to see the pass-thrower without a team."I'm surprised, even with the situation last year with the kneel-down during the national anthem, that people can't see through that and see, here's a good player that wants to play and is not toxic in the locker room," Young told KNBR of Kaepernick, according to Daniel Mano of The Mercury News. "But he's got to fit too. He's the kind of guy who's going to come off a play fake, see a guy, throw it."If you want him to read through, you want him to find the fourth receiver, the outlet - that's probably not his game. So he's got to find the right spot for himself."Young understands teams' potential skepticism of Kaepernick's focus and says he would want to "look him in the eye" when discussing the quarterback's commitment to football.Kaepernick was briefly linked to the Seattle Seahawks this spring, but a contract was not reached. He has reportedly had no other interest from potential suitors.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Michael Floyd has been suspended for the first four games of the 2017 season, the team confirmed Friday.Floyd was arrested back in December 2016 after being found asleep at the wheel of his car, an incident that promptly led to his release from the Arizona Cardinals. Following a guilty plea for extreme DUI, he was given a 120-day jail sentence that permitted him to serve 96 of which from home.Recently testing positive for alcohol, which Floyd attributed to drinking several bottles of kombucha tea, also put him in violation of those terms. He was subsequently sentenced to an additional day in jail.Floyd quickly caught on with the New England Patriots for a Super Bowl run following his trip to the waiver wire last season, and the Vikings opted to take a chance on him in free agency this offseason.The suspension, which takes effect after the preseason concludes, will prohibit Floyd from taking part in all team activities until after Minnesota's Oct. 2 game against the Detroit Lions.Floyd will be eligible to play for his new team in Week 5, when the Vikings will meet the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Pittsburgh Steelers appear to have their sights set on an 11th-hour deal with their star running back.As Monday's deadline to negotiate with franchise-tagged players fast approaches, the Steelers are still hoping to reach a long-term agreement with Le'Veon Bell, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports, citing sources.It remains to be seen whether the two sides can close any remaining gap in negotiations over the weekend, as there's been no sort of indication that a new contract is close.These deadlines often prove incredibly effective in getting both parties to the negotiating table with a purpose, however, so there can certainly be a considerable amount of progress made in a short period of time.Being hit with the franchise tag ahead of free agency now tentatively has Bell on the books for a fully guaranteed $12.1 million this season.While his annual average would presumably check in below that mark over the course of a multi-year deal, the 25-year-old still has all the leverage he could possibly need to become the NFL's highest paid running back.A do-it-all weapon out of the offensive backfield, Bell is the centerpiece for a Pittsburgh offense that's easily among the NFL's most dynamic attacks. That ability was on full display last season, as he recorded 1,268 rushing yards and hauled in 75 catches for 616 yards despite missing four games.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

As the NFL's investigation into domestic violence allegations against Ezekiel Elliott approaches the latter stages, it seems increasingly possible the Dallas Cowboys running back will be subjected to league discipline.Elliott will soon respond to a report from the NFL that details its findings, and he could face a one- or two-game suspension to open the 2017 season, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports, citing sources.A decision on the matter has yet to be finalized, as the NFL's investigation process is still ongoing. Referencing an apparent understanding that the league wants to make an example of Elliott, though, Schefter adds that the Cowboys star is "bracing" for the possibility of the short suspension."The NFL is looking to pin something on him," one source told ESPN.The lengthy investigation stemmed from a pair of claims brought against Elliott by his ex-girlfriend, one in February 2016 and one the following July. He was neither arrested nor charged in connection to either alleged incident.A potential suspension for as long as two games would bring Elliott's status into question for the Cowboys' season-opening matchups against the New York Giants and Denver Broncos.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Fantasy owners need to be confident on draft day. It's important to be aware of all the potential outcomes for a player, but your research should help you make decisions well in advance about which players you want to ride with and those who should be left behind.Here's a look at five players who could be the catalyst for a fantasy title - or the road block.Average draft position (ADP) data courtesy of FantasyPros and is based on 12-team leagues with standard scoring.Jay AjayiFantasy owners are eager to find out if Ajayi can deliver a full season of production after he put himself on the map with three separate 200-yard games last season.Ajayi was an afterthought in the Dolphins' offense through the first month of the 2016 campaign. From Week 5 on, however, he averaged over 20 carries per game and compiled 1,197 rushing yards as head coach Adam Gase realized the Dolphins' best chance of winning came through turning his young rusher into a workhorse.Now the 24-year-old is going off the board as a borderline first-round pick - a high price to pay for a player who's only topped 80 yards four times as a pro. The Dolphins' offensive line should be more stable with Mike Pouncey back under center and all reports out of Miami point to Gase continuing his run-heavy approach.Ajayi carries more risk than other players around him, but he's also just scratching the surface of his talent. Don't hesitate to grab him in the second round and watch as he finishes among the top five fantasy backs.ADP: Early 2nd round (RB8)Leonard FournetteUsing valuable draft capital on rookie running backs can be dangerous. Ezekiel Elliott's performance last season is fresh in our minds, but for every Zeke, there's a 2010 Ryan Mathews who fails to produce despite lofty expectations.Elliott's success has led to several rookie backs going in the first three rounds of drafts, but Fournette is the only first-year back locked in as his team's starter at the moment.The LSU product is an elite talent joining a team that's ready to build the offense around him, so opportunity won't be an issue. He'll be aided by an improving Jaguars offensive line and a defense that should keep games closer than they've been in Jacksonville for the last few years.The cost of owning Fournette is high, but the scarcity of three-down backs will force owners to pay up for his services. While he isn't going to match Elliott's outstanding debut season, Fournette will be worth his current price of a late second-round or early third-round pick.ADP: Late 2nd round (RB12)Alshon JefferyJeffery profiles as a No. 1 receiver, and that's what the Eagles hoped to get when they signed him in free agency, but he hasn't been the same player since lining up next to Brandon Marshall two years ago in Chicago.Injuries and a surprising four-game suspension late last season derailed his production and cast doubt on his ability to get back to being a reliable fantasy starter.The Eagles won't need to force the ball to Jeffery like the Bears often did, with Jordan Matthews, Zach Ertz, Torrey Smith, and Darren Sproles there to gobble up targets.Philadelphia's schedule isn't doing Jeffery any favors either, as he opens the season against five straight elite corners/secondaries. He bet on himself by signing a one-year deal in Philly in hopes of cashing in next season, but fantasy owners should be wary of selecting him at his current price tag.ADP: 3rd round (WR14)Carlos HydeNew 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan has been able to manufacture quality running games in every NFL city where he's been employed. It's only a matter of time before the Niners are churning out yards on the ground too, but it remains to be seen which back will benefit the most from Shanahan's arrival.Hyde is the incumbent and the obvious choice to handle lead back duties, but nearly every report coming out of San Francisco suggests the job might be more of a competition than people realize.At first, that seemed like a motivational tactic by the new coaching staff. But as beat writers continue to question Hyde's ability to pick up and excel in the team's new outside-zone system, a committee appears more likely, with rookie Joe Williams and veteran Tim Hightower getting involved.Hyde could become more comfortable with the new offense in training camp, but until we hear some positive reports out of San Fran, he's a potential landmine in the fourth round.ADP: 4th round (RB16)Tyreek HillThe history of gimmick players turning into consistent fantasy assets is fairly short, and filled with disappointments like Devin Hester and Cordarrelle Patterson.Hill will be the latest to attempt to become a full-time fantasy stud after posting 593 rushing yards, 267 receiving yards, and an absurd nine touchdowns on just 85 offensive touches. The 23-year-old also added three more touchdowns in the return game, but the Chiefs plan to limit his special teams usage to punt returns in 2017.While there's little chance Hill maintains that touchdown rate, his targets should increase significantly with Jeremy Maclin out of the picture. But the question remains: Can Hill perform in the role of the team's top receiver, or will he continue to require plays to be drawn up to get the ball in his hands?There aren't many fifth-rounders who have Hill's explosiveness and scoring ability, making him an enticing option on draft day.ADP: 5th round (WR24)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's almost time for an up close and personal look into the world of the Buccaneers.Tampa Bay is the subject of this summer's edition of "Hard Knocks," starting Aug. 8, and HBO released the second trailer for the show Thursday.This sneak peek focuses on defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, who's set to be one of the stars of the show.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Falcons' 2016 season will forever be remembered for Atlanta blowing the biggest lead in Super Bowl history. The franchise's owner is focused on its bright future instead.Despite the heartbreaking loss to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI, Arthur Blank said Thursday he believes the Falcons have built a team capable of competing for years to come."I think we're in a great position," Blank said, according to D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal Constitution. "I look forward to this year and many years to come. It's not about a one-trick pony or one-year wonder. It's about creating a sustainably winning organization. And we've done that."Atlanta returns nearly all of the roster that helped the team make its first playoff appearance since 2012. And while some expect the Falcons to regress in 2017 due to the loss of offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan and the unlikeliness of Matt Ryan having another MVP year, Blank is confident Atlanta's improvement was no fluke."It was a great honor playing in the Super Bowl," Blank said. "It was a great honor having the wonderful season that we did ... For me personally, the greatest honor from last year is that I feel now that we have what I've envisioned for many years, which is a sustainably winning organization."I love our head coach. I love our general manager. I love our coaches, coordinators, and whole personnel department. I love a lot of the talent that we have - all the talent that we have."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Carson Wentz believes the Philadelphia Eagles can leapfrog the rest of the NFC East in 2017 after finishing at the bottom of the division last season.The Eagles went 7-9 in Wentz's rookie season, falling victim to a much-improved NFC East, as the Dallas Cowboys. New York Giants, and Washington Redskins all finished with winning records.But after a successful offseason in which the Eagles bolstered the offensive talent around him, Wentz is eyeing a worst-to-first turnaround."We have high expectations around here," Wentz said on WIP Thursday, according to CSN Philly's Dave Zangaro. "We hope and we expect to be playing into January and then to see what happens. I think that's the biggest thing."Our goal is to win the NFC East and we believe we have the guys to do it."We just have to now go put the work in and go make things happen. We have high expectations ... 7-9 is never good enough. I never want to be done after the regular season again. That doesn't sit well with me and it never will. We definitely have high expectations to be playing into January and then hopefully get hot and see what happens."After a torrid start to his NFL career, Wentz's play dropped off significantly over the latter portion of the campaign.However, with receivers Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith added in free agency and star right tackle Lane Johnson's 10-game suspension behind him, the young pivot could be in line for a sophomore jump and a playoff push.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Leonard Fournette and Christian McCaffrey were early picks in the NFL draft and will be early-round picks in fantasy football, too, but it's not a lock that the pair will lead all rookies in production.Here are three rookies going undrafted in many fantasy leagues who have a chance to be this year's waiver-wire hero.Average draft position (ADP) data courtesy of FantasyPros and is based on 12-team leagues with standard scoring.James Conner, SteelersADP: UndraftedLe'Veon Bell is the unquestioned star of the Steelers' backfield, but he's struggled to stay healthy in recent seasons, resulting in some big games for DeAngelo Williams. There's a new backup in black and gold and it's Conner, a promising rookie the Steelers selected in the third round. This isn't just a 22-year-old, 233-pounder who ran for 5.5 yards per carry and eight touchdowns as a freshman in 2013, this is a cancer survivor who has toppled a foe bigger than any NFL lineman. If Bell gets nicked up again, Conner's value will skyrocket.Aaron Jones, PackersADP: UndraftedThe Packers apparently trust converted receiver Ty Montgomery to be their feature back, but they hedged their bets a little by drafting three tailbacks. Though Jamaal Williams was drafted a round earlier than Jones, it's the latter who is a slightly more intriguing athletic prospect. Jones dominated at UTEP and might need only to prove he's a better pass protector than Montgomery and Williams to see the field. If Jones can make the leap from small-school competition to the NFL, fantasy owners will come calling.Curtis Samuel, PanthersADP: WR65The Panthers took a big step toward evolving their stale offense when they drafted Christian McCaffrey in the first round. They arguably took an equally big step when they followed up that pick with Samuel. The former hybrid running back/receiver is expected to work out of the slot for the Panthers, where his agility and quickness will add an element that big-bodied receivers Kelvin Benjamin and Devin Funchess are sorely lacking. Samuel has the chance to catch a ton of passes and generate significant value for owners in PPR leagues.(Photos courtesy: Action Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.