Tight end George Kittle said he isn't concerned about posting gaudy stats on a San Francisco 49ers offense that boasts plenty of star power."It's really fun to be on a team that does have a problem of too many mouths to feed because coach (Kyle) Shanahan does such a great job of scheming everybody into getting certain plays, and it's just really fun to be a part of an offense that has so much talent on it," Kittle said, according to team reporter Briana McDonald.Shanahan and general manager John Lynch assembled a roster with dynamic playmakers such as Kittle, Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, and Brandon Aiyuk. Kittle said he doesn't see an issue with having too much talent on the offense as long as the team earns a favorable result."As long as we're winning games and we're feeding the right guys the ball," Kittle said. "I'm never going to get mad if Christian McCaffrey has 20 carries and 10 catches for 300 total yards. I'll never be upset about that because he's such a talented football player."Despite being surrounded by talented teammates, Kittle continues to be among the most productive players at his position. The 29-year-old recorded 60 receptions for 765 yards and a career-high 11 touchdowns in 2022 to earn his fourth Pro Bowl nod."If I have one catch a game, I know my fantasy football coach would be really mad at me for that, but it is what it is," Kittle said.The Niners fell a win short of earning a trip to the Super Bowl after suffering a 31-7 defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Game. Quarterback injuries plagued San Francisco last season, resulting in the team losing Trey Lance, Jimmy Garoppolo, and Brock Purdy.The 49ers posted a 13-4 record in 2022 despite their woes under center. The franchise is optimistic that Purdy and Lance will be healthy for the start of training camp. San Francisco also signed Sam Darnold to provide a veteran presence.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Buffalo Bills have signed head coach Sean McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane to contract extensions through 2027, the team announced Friday.McDermott took over as the Bills' head coach ahead of the 2017 season after spending 2011-16 as the Carolina Panthers' defensive coordinator. The 49-year-old owns a 62-35 record in the regular season and a 4-5 mark in the playoffs. Buffalo has won three consecutive AFC East titles under McDermott.Beane also joined the Bills in 2017 via Carolina. He had been a member of the Panthers' personnel department from 1998-2016. The 46-year-old drafted the likes of Josh Allen, Ed Oliver, and Gregory Rousseau in his time as GM. He also brought in Von Miller and retained safety Jordan Poyer, among other moves.Buffalo now has its head coach and general manager signed through 2027 and its quarterback Allen under contract through 2028.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

James Cook believes he's done enough to be the Buffalo Bills' starting running back to begin next season."Obviously RB1," Cook said on "The Rich Eisen Show" when asked about his role on the team. "(I'll) just try to come in and do what I do. Change the game with my versatility. Catching the ball out of the backfield. Pass-blocking. Just try to do what I can do to help the team win games and ultimately win the Super Bowl."Cook said he's ready to assume the RB1 role ahead of his second season."I'm ready to work. This is a big step and a goal in my life that I wanted to accomplish, being RB1 in the NFL. Just do what I can do to help my team win games."The Georgia product rushed for 507 yards and two touchdowns while averaging 5.7 yards per carry as a rookie last season. He also added 21 receptions for 180 yards and a score.Buffalo acquired veteran experience at tailback this offseason by signing Damien Harris and Latavius Murray. Nyheim Hines joins Cook as the only other holdover within the position group. Devin Singletary, who led the Bills in rushing yards in each of the past four seasons, joined the Houston Texans as a free agent in March."My goal is to be an All-Pro or Pro Bowler like my brother (Dalvin)," Cook said.Dalvin Cook remains a free agent after the Minnesota Vikings released him earlier this month. James said a reunion with his brother in Buffalo would be "a little hard."Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find positional rankings, additional analysis, and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.Welcome to theScore Fantasy Football Podcast, hosted by Justin Boone.Find the show on Spotify, Apple, Google, and Stitcher.In this episode, Boone opens up the fantasy mailbag to answer your questions.

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has a message for Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase following his comments about Patrick Mahomes."Thought it was a little bold," Kelce recently said on his "New Heights" podcast. "(Mahomes is) a two-time league MVP, two-time Super Bowl MVP. To say 'Pat who' is like... I don't know."Chase said last week that Bengals star Joe Burrow is the NFL's best quarterback, adding, "Pat who?" after being told that Burrow himself ranked Mahomes ahead of him."I don't think there's any argument right now," Burrow previously said.Mahomes later shared a photo of himself at the Chiefs' Super Bowl ring ceremony with the caption, "That's who.""It is what it is, dog," Kelce said. "Who doesn't love some good locker room banter? Shoutout to Ja'Marr Chase for holding it down for his QB, but don't you ever disrespect Pat Mahomes now. If you want to talk your shit, talk your shit, pimp. Just better back it up."Burrow has led Cincy to the AFC title game twice in the last two seasons and is 3-1 as a starter against Mahomes, including the playoffs. The 2020 No. 1 pick tossed a career-high 35 touchdowns in 2022 en route to finishing fourth for the MVP award.Meanwhile, Mahomes was named NFL MVP last season after leading the league with 5,250 yards and 41 TD passes. He then helped Kansas City win its second Super Bowl title with him under center.Kelce and Mahomes have formed one of football's most productive duos, with the tight end catching 46 regular-season touchdowns from Mahomes in the last five seasons.Kansas City and Cincinnati have now met in the AFC title game in back-to-back seasons, with each winning one matchup. The Chiefs will host the Bengals in Week 17 this year.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Chicago Bears linebacker Tremaine Edmunds is preaching patience to fans regarding the status of the team's rebuild."I think we just got to take it one day at a time," Edmunds said on "NFL Total Access" on Wednesday, according to Nick Shook of NFL Network. "I think it's too early to start making predictions. I think it's too early to start putting a ceiling on how high we can actually go."The Bears traded the first overall selection in this year's draft for wide receiver D.J. Moore, the ninth overall pick, 61st pick, and future first- and second-round picks.The move gives general manager Ryan Poles flexibility in future drafts and provides much-needed help on the outside for quarterback Justin Fields. The Bears didn't have a pass-catcher eclipse 550 yards last season.Chicago was one of the most active organizations in free agency this year, adding linebackers Edmunds and T.J. Edwards, tight end Robert Tonyan, offensive guard Nate Davis, and running back D'Onta Foreman.The Bears' big acquisition was Edmunds, who signed a four-year, $72-million contract, the sixth-richest deal handed out to a free agent this offseason. The 25-year-old was a first-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills and has two Pro Bowl selections in his first four seasons in the league.Edmunds says he's looking forward to being a leader on Chicago's defense."I was just excited for the opportunity, man," Edmunds said. "I'm a guy - I like when the odds are against me; I like when the odds are against us. I feel like individuals make the best moves when you're underestimated, and I wanted to go to a team where I could be part of a rebuild. I can be part of turning this thing around, man."The Virginia Tech product has 565 tackles and five interceptions in 74 career games.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Jets safety Chuck Clark is out for the season after further testing confirmed he suffered a torn ACL in practice earlier this month, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Clark, who was acquired from the Ravens in March for a late 2024 draft pick, was expected to start at safety alongside Jordan Whitehead.New York signed safety Adrian Amos to a reported one-year deal worth up to $4 million earlier this month. The Jets were not interested in Amos until recently, according to Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic.Amos visited the Ravens last week, but the potential of starting for the Jets intrigued him.The 28-year-old Clark spent the last six seasons with the Ravens, starting in 63 games. He finished second on the team in tackles last season with 101.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Mandatory mini-camps and organized team activities have been completed, but we're still weeks away from NFL training camps. A handful of big names, such as Deandre Hopkins and Dalvin Cook, are looking for their new team, but that hasn't stopped bettors from weighing in on a handful of season win totals to the point where oddsmakers have made adjustments.Big season win total moversTEAMMAY 10JUNE 22Falcons7.5 (-160)8.5 (-110)Giants8.5 (+110)7.5 (-110)Rams7.5 (-130)6.5 (-120)At this point in the offseason, almost a full game of movement is a big change in a team's win total. The Falcons' over/under was already leaning upwards, so whether bettors liked how things shook out after the schedule release, how Bijan Robinson or other new Falcons look, or how bad the rest of the NFC South appears to be, money has come in on Atlanta. From a market ratings standpoint, the Falcons go from 42/100 to 47/100 after adjusting for a weak division.The two other biggest moves also come from the NFC, but in this case they're teams headed downwards. The Rams and Giants have dropped one full win. In both cases, the teams were probably lined too optimistically in the first place - the Giants getting too much credit for a divisional-round playoff appearance, and oddsmakers not paying enough attention to what's happened to the Rams' depth chart in the last year.Small season win total moversTEAMMAY 10JUNE 2249ers11.5 (+110)10.5 (-130)Bengals11.5 (-110)11.5 (+115)Commanders7.5 (+120)6.5 (-125)Eagles10.5 (-140)11.5 (-105)Panthers7.5 (-160)7.5 (-130)Ravens9.5 (-120)9.5 (-160)Steelers8.5 (+100)8.5 (-130)Texans5.5 (-110)5.5 (-145)On the surface, a move from 11.5 to 10.5 on the 49ers' win total seems like it should be considered a big move. But a closer look shows that, at +110 on the over a month ago, San Francisco was closer to 11, and now at -130 to the over on 10.5, the pricing lean is towards 11 from the lower side.The same scenario - where a line was moved but the price leaned to the number in between - has occurred with the Commanders dipping down (straddling seven wins) and the Eagles going up (straddling 11 wins).Five more teams have seen a move in price only. A 25-cent change or more in price for the Bengals, Panthers, Ravens, Steelers, and Texans equates to roughly a half-win adjustment, but oddsmakers would rather change the price than leave a win total at an even number.Of those price changes, the only one designed to make it more prohibitive to bet the under is the Bengals' total. That might be surprising considering how well Cincinnati has fared against the spread in the last two seasons. The other four price shifts make it more costly to take the over on teams that have expectations anywhere from making the playoffs - Baltimore and potentially Pittsburgh - to modest improvement amidst a rebuild - Carolina and Houston.One thing that's happened in the betting markets is the early release of lookahead lines for almost the entire NFL season. That can be something of a chicken-and-egg situation, where initial win totals inform what a point spread should be on a matchup, those games get bet, and that retrospectively leads to a change in market opinion on over/under numbers.For example, the 49ers are 3-point favorites in Week 1 at Pittsburgh, and if either team takes enough money to move the line off of that key number, we should see a subsequent change in both teams' season win total, even if it's just in pricing. Either way, keeping an eye on these modest moves gives prospective bettors an idea of how the market feels about each team throughout the offseason.Matt Russell is the lead betting analyst for theScore. If there's a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on Twitter @mrussauthentic.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Star linebacker Roquan Smith is envisioning plenty of success for the Baltimore Ravens in his first full season with the franchise."I'm just excited to get out there and fly around with the guys, because I think we're in for something special," Smith said on "The Lounge" podcast, per team reporter Ryan Mink."It's going to be probably my best year, at least the way I feel physically and mentally," Smith added.The Ravens acquired Smith from the Chicago Bears prior to the trade deadline last season. He signed a five-year, $100-million extension with Baltimore in January to become the league's highest-paid linebacker.Despite arriving in the middle of the season, Smith quickly picked up defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald's system. He recorded 86 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and two sacks over nine games with Baltimore in 2022. He was named a first-team All-Pro and earned his first Pro Bowl nod for his efforts.Baltimore signed Odell Beckham Jr. and inked Lamar Jackson to a lucrative extension this offseason in a bid to improve on a 10-7 record that culminated in a loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in the wild-card round of the playoffs.Smith hopes the Ravens can embrace a ruthless mentality next season."We want all the smoke, honestly," he said. "There's a lot of payback that we have out there. We'll get to it when we get to it, one week at a time."Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan has his eyes set on the Lombardi Trophy this season."I expect a Super Bowl," Jordan said on SiriusXM NFL Radio. "I expect to take Derek Carr, DC4, back to Vegas where he just left and have a return run at the Super Bowl."The Super Bowl will be held in Las Vegas, where Saints quarterback Derek Carr spent the last three years of his career after the Raiders moved from Oakland. New Orleans signed Carr to a four-year, $150-million contract in March to be its new franchise quarterback.The Saints struggled to find average play at the quarterback position after Drew Brees retired in 2021. Five players started a game for New Orleans over the last two seasons, compiling a 16-18 record with no playoff appearances.Jordan is hoping Carr can fix the quarterback woes."Nobody has ever walked into a season (and) been like, 'Ooh, I hope we win 10 games,'" Jordan said, per SiriusXM NFL Radio. "No, I'm trying to win each and every game that we play. My expectation is being 21-0, 22-0, whatever it takes to get to a Super Bowl. I want to beat each and every team we line across."The 33-year-old Jordan is entering the twilight of his career but is still putting up consistent production. He has double-digit sacks in four of his last six seasons and earned his eighth Pro Bowl selection in 2022.Jordan has 639 tackles and 115.5 sacks in 192 career games.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen is looking forward to sharing a division with New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, whom the Madden 24 cover man has venerated for a long time."I am (looking forward to having Rodgers in the division), I am. I've gotten to know Aaron a little bit over the years, and I would consider us fairly close," Allen said to The Ringer's Kevin Clark on Wednesday. "I wouldn't say we text on the regular. I don't really call him, I FaceTime him. He usually answers, which is a big plus. I know he doesn't answer a lot of people."Rodgers joined the Jets this offseason via trade. The 39-year-old spent the first 18 seasons of his career with the Green Bay Packers after the club selected him with the No. 24 pick in the 2005 NFL Draft."I've just been such a fan of his since I was a little kid," Allen said. "Having his jerseys and trying to emulate what he does on the football field. He's such a special player. I think he's the most gifted thrower of the football all time. Going up against him twice a year, it's going to be a battle."Rodgers has used that gift to accumulate 59,055 passing yards and 475 touchdowns against just 105 interceptions. The four-time MVP winner currently ranks ninth on the all-time yardage list and fifth in touchdowns thrown.Allen, 27, has guided the Bills to three consecutive AFC East titles and owns a 6-3 record against the Jets. He'll look to pick up his seventh career win against the club on Monday Night Football in Week 1. The franchises will duel again in Week 11.The two signal-callers have met twice before, trading wins against one another. Rodgers' Packers got the best of Allen in his fourth career start in 2018, but Allen's Bills downed Green Bay last season to even the count.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find positional rankings, additional analysis, and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.More in this series

Miami-Dade police are investigating Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill for assault and battery after he allegedly hit an employee at a marina in Florida, the department confirmed to The Associated Press on Tuesday.Hill got into a disagreement and allegedly hit an employee working for one of the charter companies based at Haulover Marina, Ian Margol of Local 10 News reports.The incident started when Hill's crew tried boarding a boat without permission, according to Andy Slater of Fox Sports 640. The crew member reportedly doesn't want to press charges at the moment."We are aware of the situation and have been in contact with Tyreek, his representatives, and the NFL," a Dolphins spokesperson said. "We will reserve further comment at this time."Hill shared an Instagram story over the weekend showing him on a boat celebrating Father's Day.The 29-year-old is entering his second season with Miami. Hill caught seven touchdowns and led the Dolphins with 119 receptions and 1,710 yards in 2022.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL is reinforcing its gambling policy ahead of the 2023 season.The league - which will now require rookies to attend mandatory education sessions about the league's gambling policy - is highlighting six "key rules" in the wake of recent violations, according to a memo obtained by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport:

The Los Angeles Rams announced Tuesday that they're reuniting with running back Sony Michel.Michel was signed to a one-year deal, The Athletic's Jourdan Rodrigue reports.The Rams first acquired Michel via trade prior to the 2021 campaign. He became the team's leading rusher after accumulating 845 yards across 17 games and then earned a Super Bowl ring to end the season.Michel joined the Los Angeles Chargers in 2022 but featured sparingly. He rushed for just 106 yards on 36 carries for a career-low 2.9 yards per attempt.The 28-year-old will provide solid depth to a Rams running back room that also features Cam Akers, Kyren Williams, and Zach Evans, among others.A first-round pick of the New England Patriots in 2018, the Georgia product has tallied 3,243 rushing yards over his five-year career.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find positional rankings, additional analysis, and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.Welcome to theScore Fantasy Football Podcast, hosted by Justin Boone.Find the show on Spotify, Apple, Google, and Stitcher.In this episode, Edwin Porras of Fantasy Points joins Boone to discuss the latest injury updates heading into the 2023 fantasy season.

Free-agent running back Dalvin Cook welcomes the idea of teaming up with star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who also remains unsigned after recently being released."If we end up on the same roster, that would be something epic for the NFL," Cook said on "The Adam Schefter Podcast" recently.The Arizona Cardinals released Hopkins in May after three seasons, and the Vikings parted ways with Cook following six campaigns in early June. Cook said he's in no rush to pick a new place to call home."I know his mindset, and I (did) play against D-Hop a numerous amount of times," Cook told Schefter. "When I (have) been with D-Hop, we (did) chill together, we (have) been around each other, and I kind of see the person that he is. He wants to win."He continued, "I want to go win. Like I said, the money gonna come, and that's going to happen. But like as far as going to lift that (Vince Lombardi) Trophy up, he got the same mindset as me."Hopkins has visited the Tennessee Titans and New England Patriots. Cook has yet to meet with any teams since being cut but has been linked to multiple clubs, including the Miami Dolphins.Cook topped 1,000 yards on the ground for the fourth straight season in 2022 en route to earning his fourth career Pro Bowl berth. He finished last year with 1,173 rushing yards (4.4 per carry) and eight touchdowns to go along with 295 yards and two scores on 39 receptions.Hopkins caught 64 passes for 717 yards and three touchdowns last season. The five-time Pro Bowler has appeared in only 19 games over the previous two campaigns."You know what you're getting out of D-Hop, and you know what he going to bring to your roster," Cook said. "It's the same for me. The film speaks for itself."Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs is unhappy with his role in the team's offense and his voice in play-calling, a source told Ben Volin of the Boston Globe.Diggs stole the headlines last week after unexpectedly skipping the first day of Buffalo's mandatory minicamp Tuesday. The star wideout's agent said Diggs took his physical and met with coach Sean McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane prior to leaving the facility before the workouts began. McDermott later said he was "very concerned" about the star wideout's absence.It was unclear why Diggs - who's signed through the 2027 season after inking a four-year, $96-million extension in April 2022 - missed practice. The issues between Diggs and Buffalo still hadn't been resolved when the Bills reported for minicamp last week, according to Volin.Diggs returned to practice Wednesday, with McDermott downplaying the incident and saying the three-time Pro Bowler did everything that was expected of him.The 29-year-old also expressed frustration following a divisional-round loss to the Cincinnati Bengals at home in January. Cameras showed Diggs seemingly yelling at quarterback Josh Allen on the sideline late in the fourth quarter with Buffalo down 27-10.Diggs landed with the Bills in 2020 via trade from the Minnesota Vikings. He thrived for two years with Brian Daboll serving as Buffalo's offensive coordinator and play-caller. The team promoted Ken Dorsey from quarterbacks coach to OC during the 2022 offseason after Daboll joined the New York Giants as head coach.Diggs finished 2022 with 108 catches for 1,429 yards and 11 touchdowns, up from 103 receptions, 1,225 yards, and 10 scores in 2021. However, he didn't score any touchdowns in the playoffs and was limited to 35 yards on four catches in the loss versus the Bengals.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love is confident his offense can take off next season."I think we've got playmakers on offense," Love said, according to Jason Wilde of the Wisconsin State Journal. "I think all the weapons we have at receiver, tight end, and running back, we've got guys who can make plays."He added, "Once everybody gets rolling, gets comfortable with the offense and being where they need to be every play, the sky's the limit for us."Love is entering his fourth NFL season after being drafted in the first round in 2020. He threw for 190 yards with one touchdown and one interception in his only career start in 2021 against the Kansas City Chiefs.The 24-year-old saw some action last season in Week 12 when Aaron Rodgers went down with a chest injury. Love passed for 119 yards and one touchdown on six completions, showcasing some of his natural talent.With Rodgers having departed for the New York Jets, head coach Matt LaFleur is hopeful that Love can take hold of the Packers' offense."He's shown progress almost on a daily basis," LaFleur said. "But it's going to be important and incumbent on himself to just show that initiative and stay in his playbook."Love will be surrounded by one of the league's youngest collection of playmakers. The starting wide receivers are projected to be Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, and Jayden Reed, who are all 24 years old or younger.The Packers also selected tight ends Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft in this year's draft, and both are expected to get consistent playing time this season."I think we've got a great team," Love said. "I think we have a good offense, a young offense. We have a lot of work to keep putting in, keep building together."Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Rookie quarterback Bryce Young is quickly earning the respect of his Carolina Panthers teammates."It's hard not to like that kid," edge rusher Brian Burns told ESPN's David Newton. "He's put quite a stamp on the locker room. He walks around with this kind of - excuse my language - 'humble but I know I'm the shit' type of swag. He's got it, but he's humble with it."DJ Chark echoed Burns' sentiments."Everybody is here for (Young)," the wide receiver said. "And we believe he can take us to some really high places."The Panthers promoted Young to the first team during organized team activities. Head coach Frank Reich described the move as the "next step" in the No. 1 pick's progression toward earning a starting role.In his three seasons at Alabama, Young threw for 8,356 yards with 80 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Despite earning a postseason berth in his rookie season, New York Giants pass-rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux is relishing the team's role as underdogs."I mean, it's been good for me. I like to lay low," Thibodeaux said Friday on "Good Morning Football," per NFL.com's Christian Gonzales. "I'm happy that people are counting us out cause that gives us more time to just work. We don't have to answer those questions. We don't have to worry about everybody looking at us. We can just keep our head down and grind."And I think, you know, we love being the underdogs, cause that always gives us that story, that momentum to really work and really go after what we want."New York joined the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys as NFC East teams to make the playoffs last season, ending a postseason drought that dated back to 2016. The Eagles are the favorites to repeat as both divisional and conference champions in 2023, and the Cowboys have the second-highest odds to win the division.While the Giants' offense was led by young stars Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley, the defense showed marked improvement in its first season under defensive coordinator Wink Martindale. New York allowed 358.2 yards per game (eighth in the NFL) and 21.8 PPG last season.Thibodeaux's rookie campaign got off to a rocky start. He suffered an MCL sprain during the preseason, which caused him to miss the first two contests of the regular season. Gradually adjusting to the pro game, the 2022 first-round pick recorded 49 tackles, six tackles for loss, four sacks, and 13 quarterback hits in 14 games.Thibodeaux said Martindale told him ahead of his second year that his game could ascend to another level with hard work."I definitely do feel there's more pressure on. I don't think it's really going to affect me," he said. "But I do definitely know that it's a big year for me, and if I do what I have to to do, I'll make big gains."Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and star wide receiver Mike Evans have begun to negotiate a new contract, according to the Tampa Bay Times' Rick Stroud."Mike loves Tampa," Evans' agent, Deryk Gilmore, said. "I know the feeling is mutual. His production is the best of all the guys out there.""I've got to think they would like to lock him up to a third deal," he added.Evans, who will turn 30 in August, is entering the final season of a five-year, $82.5-million extension signed in 2018. The four-time Pro Bowler is set to account for $23.6-million cap hit, according to Spotrac.The 6-foot-5, 235-pound Evans has been one of the most consistent playmakers on the Bucs' offense since being drafted in the first round in 2014. He has tallied nine consecutive 1,000-yard campaigns.The Texas A&M product's $16.5-million annual average salary ranks 17th among wideouts in the league, per Over the Cap. Among the most notable names ahead of Evans in terms of compensation is teammate Chris Godwin, who signed a three-year, $60-million extension with Tampa Bay in March 2022.Evans hauled in 77 catches for 1,124 yards, and six touchdowns in 15 games last season. He's already the franchise's all-time leader in receptions (683), receiving yards (10,425), and touchdown catches (81). He was also a member of the Bucs' Super Bowl LV-winning squad.Head coach Todd Bowles applauded Evans' productivity and longevity with club this past week."When you stay with one team and you put up those type of numbers, that says a lot about you from a character standpoint and a talent standpoint," Bowles said. "He continues to do it."Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said running back Cam Akers will have a prominent role in the Rams' offense next season."He's really capitalized on a lot of the momentum he built up toward the latter part of the year," McVay told "Mad Dog Sports Radio," according to Cameron DaSilva of RamsWire. "And he's going to be a huge part of what we're doing moving forward."Akers only played in 36% of the Rams' offensive snaps in the first five games. He missed the next two contests due to personal reasons and reportedly had philosophical and football-related differences with McVay.Los Angeles put Akers on the trade block in October but turned down multiple offers for him.The Florida State product dressed for the Rams' final 10 games of the season and played all of their offensive snaps in Week 18 against the Seattle Seahawks."He's had a great offseason. I love the rapport that he's established with Ron Gould, our new running backs coach," McVay said. "Cam is going to be a central figure in this offense. I think he's priming himself to have a great year."I've loved what Kyren Williams has done in that running backs room. But Cam is a stud."The Rams selected running back Zach Evans in the sixth round of the draft and have second-year Williams on the depth chart.Akers is entering the final year of his rookie contract. He has 1,664 total yards on 365 touches in 29 career games.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith believes the Steelers' defense can be special next season."I know 100% we can be the best defense in the NFL, especially if we all stay healthy," Highsmith said, according to team reporter Teresa Varley.The Steelers' defense finished 10th in points per game allowed last season despite dealing with injuries at key positions. Pittsburgh went 1-6 in seven games without star pass-rusher T.J. Watt, who suffered a torn pectoral muscle.Highsmith burst onto the scene, recording 14.5 sacks, three of which came in Watt's absence."We have so many good players," Highsmith said. "We have so many guys who are dedicated to this game. Last year, we started playing our best ball at the end of the year. If we can build on that, we can be the best."The Steelers went 7-2 in their last nine games, allowing only 16.5 points per contest. That would've ranked first in the league across a 17-game schedule.Pittsburgh made some critical additions across their defense this offseason. The Steelers drafted cornerback Joey Porter Jr. with the first pick in the second round of the draft to play across from Patrick Peterson, who they signed in free agency.They also reshaped the linebacker position, signing Cole Holcomb and Elandon Roberts, who are both projected to start."I am excited about the guys that we have. We have depth at almost every position," Highsmith said. "It's been good seeing guys come together and get better and better every day. The sky is the limit for us. I am excited to see how we continue to grow."Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL's running back market has never experienced such an immense dead zone financially. Ironically, running the football hasn't been this in vogue in more than a decade, with rushing attempts across the NFL hitting an 11-year high in 2022.Many accomplished running backs are either mired in protracted contract negotiations, agreeing to relatively stagnant contracts compared to other positions like quarterback or tackle, or wandering in the free-agency wilderness while teams fill out their rosters with cheap, late-round draft picks.The fact that the shelf life for running backs - even top tier ones - is so short isn't helping. Only five of the top 50 backs in PFF's grades last season turned pro before 2017.Talented rookie runners are making it more and more difficult to justify paying veterans with significant miles on the odometer. Heck, even re-upping Josh Jacobs, only four years into his career with the Raiders and coming off a league-leading 2,053 scrimmage yards, is no sure thing. As of this writing, Jacobs hasn't signed his $10.1-million franchise tag, and the two sides have until July 17 to work out a long-term deal.From the 2022 draft class alone, Breece Hall, Kenneth Walker, James Cook, Rachaad White, Brian Robinson Jr., and Dameon Pierce all played substantial roles for their offenses last season.The Falcons drafted BYU's Tyler Allgeier in the fifth round and he went over 1,000 yards rushing. The Chiefs, meanwhile, picked Isiah Pacheco in the seventh round and he went off, too: 830 yards and five touchdowns in the regular season, and 76 yards and a TD in the Super Bowl. Here's the rub: Both Allgeier and Pacheco made under $1 million, representing tremendous value for both clubs.It's simply not a great time to be an NFL running back relative to other positions, as evidenced by the top of the contract leaderboard.And we're seeing not only a lack of volume with contracts, but dollars, too. Christian McCaffrey, Alvin Kamara, Dalvin Cook, Derrick Henry, and Joe Mixon are all elite backs who signed their extensions in 2020. Second-team All-Pro Nick Chubb has been the highest paid since, at three years and $36.6 million, when he was extended last year by Cleveland. And that's it. No other running backs have been paid in the same ballpark. The Giants don't appear willing to pay superstar Saquon Barkley what he desires, while the Vikings simply released Cook despite his prowess in Minnesota.Top-tier quarterbacks, on the flip side, have consistently reset the contract market over the past decade - look at Kyler Murray, Russell Wilson, Jalen Hurts, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and Deshaun Watson. Soon, we'll see it again from Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert. And it's not just quarterbacks, either. Edge rushers, corners, and tackles are all cashing in relative to their predecessors. But not running backs.With that in mind, here’s a look at a handful of notable free-agent backs who seemingly should be able to contribute in meaningful ways this season but remain unsigned amid this challenging landscape.Leonard Fournette"Playoff Lenny" has bided his time as the market stagnates. However, there's interest from several teams for the physically imposing runner, whose playoff exploits drew rave reviews from both Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski. They loved Fournette's clutch factor when he helped them to a Super Bowl win."Lenny is an absolute tank who's versatile to be a three-down back and make a big play when you need it the most," Gronk told me. "His unique skill set in the pass game at the size he is makes him a mismatch at all times." Sebastian Widmann / Getty Images Sport / GettyGronk specifically mentioned that Fournette provides a certain comfort and reliability in the game's biggest moments. Not only is that hard to find, but it has a domino effect on the entire offense, regardless of who's under center.Considering his elite pass-protection ability and soft hands out of the backfield, Fournette - only 28 - still brings a lot to the table at this stage in his career. The Bucs saved $3.5 million by releasing the former No. 4 pick of the Jags from LSU in 2017, yet he's coming off another productive season in which he recorded nearly 1,200 all-purpose yards (including a career-high 523 receiving yards) and six total TDs.Best Fits: Bills, Broncos, Cowboys, PatriotsKareem HuntHunt's quietly been one of the more productive backs in football since entering the league. One scout told me his value is significantly increased because of his ability in pass protection, as well as his capacity to catch the football. The highly versatile Hunt, the former Toledo standout, has gone over 1,000 total yards in four of his six NFL seasons, while hauling in 35 catches for 210 yards last year. He's also very stout on the goal line, where his toughness and balance make him a brutally tough tackle in short yardage. Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyHunt, 27, led the league with 1,327 rushing yards as a rookie. In 2018, he followed up with a robust 14 TDs in 11 games. As one scout told me: "Very good player who can kinda do everything. I thought his pass protection developed as a real asset in Cleveland. He worked at it, that was clear to me. He can impact your offense. All-around back who you feel good about lining up behind your quarterback."Best Fits: Broncos, Giants, Rams, VikingsDalvin CookI wrote about Cook - who'll be 28 next season - before his release last week. He's the only back in football to eclipse 1,100 yards rushing each of the previous four seasons, and his release in Minnesota had nothing to do with performance and everything to do with money. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was simply never going to pay a running back top dollar, let alone $10.4 million, which would have slotted Cook third in football behind only Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara."I want somebody who values Dalvin Cook," Cook said. "I want somebody that wants me to be there and give me the ball. I just want to go into the right situation so I can go help somebody win. ... The money is going to come. If you play good, they're going to pay you. I just want to go somewhere where it feels like it's home to me and help somebody win and just go be me. Just go turn it loose and look for a home. That's it."He has several suitors, but the former Florida State superstar could very well return home and play for the Phins.Best Fits: Bills, Broncos, Dolphins, SaintsEzekiel Elliott Cooper Neill / Getty Images Sport / GettyIt's hard to believe Zeke will turn only 28 in July. As one executive explained to me regarding the former Buckeye great:

Find positional rankings, additional analysis, and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.Welcome to theScore Fantasy Football Podcast, hosted by Justin Boone.Find the show on Spotify, Apple, Google, and Stitcher.In this episode, Boone goes over the most important takeaways from recent minicamps around the league.

The Kansas City Chiefs unveiled their championship hardware Thursday.The rings feature a removable top with an engraving of Arrowhead Stadium underneath.

Baltimore Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins expressed frustration Thursday with his contract situation after sitting out the team's mandatory minicamp.Dobbins is entering the last year of his rookie deal. The 24-year-old, who's scheduled to make $1.4 million in 2023, reported to the Ravens facility for minicamp but wasn't on the field for any of their three practices."The business side is very hard. It's very different," Dobbins said, according to ESPN's Jamison Hensley. "You saw with Lamar (Jackson). ... It's never just roses and daisies. It can be hard at times, and it's business, though."He added: "I would love to be a Baltimore Raven for the rest of my career. I would love to because I love the city; I love the people. It feels like family here. It feels like my second home. And I hope that happens."Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said earlier Thursday that he was hoping to see Dobbins at practice this week."I expected J.K. to practice, but it wasn't in the cards," said Harbaugh, who added that he expects the running back to be at training camp in July, according to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic.Dobbins, a second-round pick in 2020, appeared in only eight games last season due to a knee injury after missing the entire 2021 campaign with a torn ACL. He finished 2022 with 92 carries for 520 yards (5.7 per carry) and two touchdowns.The Ohio State product rushed for 805 yards (six per carry) and nine scores in 15 games as a rookie in 2020.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Free-agent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is in no rush to sign with a team after completing his second club visit since the Arizona Cardinals released him, reports ESPN's Mike Reiss.Hopkins' visit to the New England Patriots on Thursday "went well," a source told Jordan Schultz, theScore's NFL insider. Hopkins is considering waiting until training camp in July to make a final decision.

It didn't take long for Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields and his new No. 1 target, wide receiver D.J. Moore, to establish chemistry."It did come on quickly," Fields said, according to ESPN's Courtney Cronin. "I didn't really expect anything because it's different for each guy, but I feel like with D.J., his body language is pretty easy to read. Early on we communicated on how we want each route ran and stuff like that."The Bears landed Moore as part of a blockbuster trade with the Carolina Panthers in March. The 26-year-old - who was drafted 24th overall in 2018 - topped 1,000 receiving yards in three of his five NFL seasons."He has a lot of experience," Fields said of Moore. "He's been in the league for a good period of time now. He's played a lot of football, so he knows different coverages really well. That's one thing that I was kind of impressed about with the offense coming in and just understanding, seeing coverages really well on short routes and stuff like that. He's been great. And you know, the chemistry has really picked up."The Fields-to-Moore connection has also impressed members of Chicago's defense this offseason."They got that chemistry going very fast, earlier than I expected," Bears safety Jaquan Brisker said last week, according to "The BFR Podcast." "They look good though, they look like best friends."Chicago has high expectations for Fields this season - he threw for 2,242 yards and 17 touchdown passes against 11 interceptions in 15 games last year. He also ran for 1,143 yards and eight scores.After averaging only 19.2 points per game in 2022, the Bears also bolstered their offense in this year's draft, selecting offensive tackle Darnell Wright in the first round and wide receiver Tyler Scott in the fourth.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jason Kelce is offering up a strong defense of Thursday Night Football in light of criticism over its new flex scheduling.Kelce and his brother, Travis, said on their "New Heights" podcast that they're "huge" fans of TNF despite player safety concerns. The Philadelphia Eagles center, in particular, argued that Thursday night games allow for a longer recovery period."I am all for games being played on Thursdays because that means we have walkthroughs during the middle of the week and we don't practice and then we get three days off after the game," Jason said.He continued: "It's not about laziness. It's about helping my legs recover and getting fresh. Players that are anti-Thursday night games are just looking to make headlines. There's no f-----g chance anybody with half a brain cell is against Thursday night games."The NFL recently approved flex scheduling for TNF during Weeks 13-17 this season. Teams will need to be notified at least 28 days in advance if they're flexed. They also can't play more than two Thursday night games per season.Despite ire over the potential disruption to fans' travel plans and the consequences of players playing two games in a short time period, Jason says he's a fan of the new flex scheduling because he enjoys "good football.""Thursday night is one of the few nights that I get to watch football and just enjoy it as a fan," Jason noted. "Let's get some good friggin matchups."The 2022 TNF slate, which was the first season to be exclusively broadcasted by Amazon Prime Video, was frequently knocked for its poor-quality contests.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New Orleans Saints brought in Jon Gruden this week to help the team work on building the offense around quarterback Derek Carr, according to Jeff Duncan of the Times-Picayune.Gruden, a longtime NFL head coach, reportedly spent much of his time at the Saints facility working with Carr and New Orleans' coaching staff under head coach Dennis Allen.The 59-year-old Gruden hasn't coached since October 2021. He was most recently with the Raiders, with whom he installed a West Coast offense and worked with Carr across three-plus seasons. The Saints employ a similar offense, as Sean Payton originally implemented the scheme in New Orleans in 2006."I'm used to that family of offense," Carr told Duncan. "It's all the same drawing, but different words. ... It's just different words mean different things."He added: "It's a new system, new words, (but) a lot of similarities to things that I grew up on and believe in. It's still a learning curve, but not as big of a curve as it could be in a different system or a different offense."Payton, who was with the Saints from 2006-21, coached with Gruden in 1997 as members of the Philadelphia Eagles under head coach Ray Rhodes. Gruden was Philly's offensive coordinator that year, while Payton served as the club's quarterbacks coach.Gruden joined the Raiders for a second stint as the franchise's head coach in 2018. He resigned in October 2021 after reports revealed he'd sent emails using racist, homophobic, and misogynistic language. The 59-year-old sent the emails while working for ESPN as a football analyst from 2009-17.Carr, 32, posted a 97.3 passer rating with Las Vegas from 2018-21 and recorded a 70.4% completion rate in 2019, the highest of his NFL career. The four-time Pro Bowler, whom the Raiders drafted in the second round in 2014, spent his first nine seasons with the team. He signed a four-year contract with New Orleans this offseason after agreeing to part ways with Las Vegas.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After months of speculation about a possible trade involving former Arizona Cardinals receiver DeAndre Hopkins, the five-time Pro Bowler is now free to sign where he wants following his release Friday.While he hasn't produced at the levels we're accustomed to seeing over the last two seasons, the soon-to-be 31-year-old should still have enough left in the tank to be a factor at his next destination.Here are the best fits for Hopkins:Kansas City Chiefs Cooper Neill / Getty Images Sport / GettyLet's get the most obvious landing spot out of the way first. If Hopkins is looking for the best opportunity to put up big numbers, increase his value, and collect a Super Bowl ring, he won't find a better spot than the Chiefs.While Patrick Mahomes already has a top target in star tight end Travis Kelce, his receiving corps is headlined by Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Kadarius Toney. Neither player has ever exceeded 700 receiving yards in a season. Behind them are young, unproven pieces like Rashee Rice and Skyy Moore. This unit could use an established veteran receiver like Hopkins, especially after losing JuJu Smith-Schuster in free agency.Kansas City has just over $1 million in cap space, per Spotrac, which could hinder them if a potential Hopkins chase comes down to money. But joining Mahomes, who Hopkins listed earlier this month as one of the five quarterbacks he'd like to play with, would be a rewarding move for both sides.Buffalo BillsAnother one of the signal-callers the former Cardinals receiver said he'd like to suit up with, Josh Allen throwing passes to Stefon Diggs, Gabriel Davis, and Hopkins would be a weekly spectacle. It may even give the Bills enough firepower to finally get over their postseason demons.Buffalo makes a lot of sense for the aging Hopkins after injuries hindered him in recent seasons. He won't have to be relied on as the No. 1 target with Diggs in the fold, while Davis will also get his fair share of attention. However, it'll be tough for opposing defenses to cover everyone, which should leave plenty of room for Hopkins to operate. The Bills' depth behind Diggs and Davis also lacks experience.If the Bills intend to break through the AFC's glass ceiling that is the Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals, forming a three-headed receiving corps with Hopkins could only help their odds.Cleveland Browns Diamond Images / Diamond Images / GettyDeshaun Watson didn't look like the $230-million man the Browns are paying him to be in his first season in Cleveland. Partnering Watson with his former teammate might be the antidote to restoring the quarterback's form.Watson and Hopkins were arguably one of the most dangerous partnerships in the NFL during their three years together with the Houston Texans. From 2017-19, Hopkins collected three first-team All-Pro selections while ranking first in the league in receiving touchdowns (31), second in receptions (315), and third in receiving yards (4,115).Cleveland's receiver room is crowded with names such as Amari Cooper, Elijah Moore, and Donovan Peoples-Jones, among others. Given the front office's all-in approach on 2023 plus the known ties to Watson, it might be wise for the Browns to find room for Hopkins.New York GiantsThe Giants may not necessarily have the quarterback Hopkins is looking for, but arguably no team on this list could use a capable receiver like Hopkins more than New York.Daniel Jones, who recently inked a four-year deal worth $160 million, is coming off a breakout 2022 campaign in which his leading receivers were Darius Slayton, Richie James, and Isaiah Hodgins. A major weakness last year, the Giants improved their receiver shortage this offseason by welcoming Parris Campbell, Jamison Crowder, and Jalin Hyatt. Still, that's nothing to write home about. With New York now in the business of making sure Jones matches his price tag, getting a true alpha wideout like Hopkins could be the missing piece to a transformed offense under Brian Daboll. Plus, Hopkins would receive little competition in his bid to be the top wideout on the team.New York Jets Elsa / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe Jets have a short championship window to maximize after acquiring four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers. If they really want to extract everything from it, giving Hopkins a call is a no-brainer.Hopkins would likely have to be OK with a reduced target share and workload if he came to New York. Though, at his age, that might be a wise decision. The Jets already have an emerging star in Garrett Wilson, and they also signed Allen Lazard to a lucrative deal this offseason. But there's still room for another boundary receiver, and Hopkins would be a clear upgrade over the easily-cuttable Corey Davis, who's averaged only 514 yards per season with New York.A strong quarterback and great defense were two of Hopkins' three characteristics for a future team. Having Rodgers and a defensive unit that ranked fourth in points allowed last year fills those requirements.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Arizona Cardinals released star receiver DeAndre Hopkins after being unable to find a trade partner, the team announced Friday.Arizona discussed trading Hopkins with multiple teams this offseason but his $19.45-million salary was a challenge, reports ESPN's Dan Graziano. The Cardinals will carry a dead-cap charge of $21 million for the wideout in 2023.Hopkins' future with the Cardinals was one of the hottest topics of the offseason. Rumors of a trade with the Tennessee Titans popped up on the first night of the 2023 NFL Draft but nothing materialized. The New England Patriots also reportedly inquired about trading for Hopkins earlier this offseason.The Kansas City Chiefs received permission to talk with Hopkins and had discussed a possible trade prior to the NFL draft, sources told the MMQB's Albert Breer. Hopkins' contract was viewed as a roadblock to a potential deal at the time. The star wideout would likely need to lower his asking price to sign as a free agent with Kansas City, which currently holds around $650K in cap space, per Over the Cap.The five-time Pro Bowler did not show up for voluntary OTAs this week, instead electing to train in Toronto.During an appearance on the "I Am Athlete" podcast earlier in May, Hopkins listed Josh Allen, Jalen Hurts, Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, and Justin Herbert as the five quarterbacks he'd like to play with.Hopkins played the last three seasons in Arizona after being acquired in a trade with the Houston Texans in 2020. His best year with the franchise was his first season when he caught 115 passes for 1,407 yards.His production declined over the two seasons that followed; injuries spoiled his 2021 campaign and a suspension for violating the league's performance-enhancing drug policy cost him six games in 2022. He missed an additional two games last season with a knee ailment. He finished his final year in Arizona with 64 receptions for 717 yards.Hopkins has recorded 11,298 receiving yards since entering the NFL in 2013, trailing only Julio Jones for most in the league during that span.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler has agreed to have $1.75 million in incentives added to his contract to remain with the team for the 2023 season, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Exact terms of the reported incentives were not disclosed.Ekeler was already set to earn $6.25 million in 2023, the final year of a four-year, $24.5-million contract signed in March 2020, according to Over the Cap.The 28-year-old requested a trade in March after a lack of progress in preliminary extension talks, and the Chargers granted him permission to seek out a deal. He has not been participating in the team's voluntary offseason activities.Ekeler said in April he wanted to remain with the Chargers and felt no ill will toward the club.Chargers head coach Brandon Staley previously expressed confidence that the two sides would reach an agreement and said he expects Ekeler to attend L.A.'s mandatory minicamp beginning June 13, according to Schefter.Considered one of the most versatile tailbacks in the NFL, Ekeler has tallied at least 900 scrimmage yards in each of the past five seasons.Ekeler posted a career-best 915 rushing yards last season to go along with 13 touchdowns. He added 107 receptions for 722 receiving yards and five scores.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL draft is headed to Lambeau Field.Green Bay will host the 2025 NFL Draft, the league announced Monday. The event will take place in and around the Packers' home stadium of Lambeau Field and the team's Titletown campus."This is an incredible day for the Packers, Greater Green Bay, and the entire state of Wisconsin, as we are excited and honored to be selected to host the 2025 NFL Draft," Packers president Mark Murphy said in a statement."The Packers have a rich and proud history that goes back to the early days of the NFL and are the only community-owned team. That connection to our league's heritage combined with the great passion Packers fans will bring will make the draft a memorable event for those in attendance and NFL fans watching around the world."Kansas City hosted the 2023 draft, which the NFL announced drew more than 312,000 in-person fans and over 54 million total viewers.The 2024 NFL Draft will take place in Detroit.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Las Vegas Raiders and Tom Brady agreed to terms on a deal that would make the former quarterback a minority owner in the team and submitted the contract to the NFL, team owner Mark Davis told ESPN's Paul Gutierrez on Monday."We're excited for Tom to join the Raiders," Davis said.The partnership still requires at least 24 owners' approval. This won't occur during this week's spring meetings, according to Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer.Brady and Davis have an existing business relationship. The future Hall of Famer became a partial owner in Davis' WNBA franchise, the Las Vegas Aces, in March.Brady's 10-year, $375-million broadcasting contract with Fox that starts in 2024 will reportedly be unaffected.The 45-year-old retired in February after 23 NFL seasons split between the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He holds a multitude of records, seven Super Bowl titles, and three MVP trophies.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

NFL owners have voted in favor of implementing flex scheduling for Thursday Night Football for the 2023 season, the league announced Monday.Flex scheduling for Thursday prime-time games will only apply for Weeks 13-17, according to the resolution obtained by Albert Breer of the MMQB. The NFL will notify clubs at least 28 days in advance if they are flexed into the matchup.There will be a maximum of two flexes per season, and teams cannot play more than two TNF matchups.The proposition received 24 "yes" votes - the minimum required to implement the new rule, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. Contingents for the New York Giants, New York Jets, Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, Las Vegas Raiders, Detroit Lions, Cincinnati Bengals, and Pittsburgh Steelers reportedly voted against the change.NFL owners first discussed flex scheduling for Thursday Night Football at league meetings in March, but they tabled talks until May after failing to reach an agreement. Those initial discussions drew criticism due to injury concerns and potential disruption to fans' travel plans.NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said earlier this offseason the league was trying to balance the experiences of fans in attendance and those watching on television. He also noted Thursday games don't have higher injury rates.Hans Schroeder, the executive vice president and chief operating officer of NFL Media, told ESPN's Kevin Seifert there will be a "higher bar" for determining which games are eligible for Thursday Night Football flex scheduling.New York Giants co-owner John Mara said he was "disappointed but certainly not surprised" by the results of Monday's vote, according to NFL Network's Judy Battista. Mara has been a vocal opponent of flex scheduling for Thursday Night Football, stating in March that the proposition is "abusive" to season-ticket holders.Amazon Prime Video became the exclusive broadcaster of Thursday Night Football starting in 2022.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It wasn't easy for Ben Roethlisberger to see Kenny Pickett take over as starting quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers.Roethlisberger told Pickett on his podcast "Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger" that he initially didn't want him to do well, but that changed as the 2022 season progressed."I wouldn't say that I wanted Kenny to necessarily fail," Roethlisberger said. "But like, you know when someone comes to replace you and you're like, 'I still feel like I had it, I hope he doesn't come ball out.' Because then it's like, 'Ben who?'"He continued: "But, honestly, as you started playing, I found myself rooting more and more for you."Roethlisberger admitted he "felt bad" about not supporting Pickett initially and said it likely stemmed from his own "selfishness." He added he was unaware of Pickett's potential."I just didn't know. I had no idea. I didn't know that you were the runner that you were. ... I was pleasantly surprised and glad that I was wrong," Roethlisberger said.The 41-year-old went on to call Pickett "the future" of the Steelers.Pickett, whom Pittsburgh selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, made his NFL debut in Week 4 of last season before starting the following game. The 24-year-old found his form down the stretch after a slow start to his rookie campaign, engineering four game-winning drives in the last eight games."As the season went on, he got to his third game playing, I was rooting for him," Roethlisberger said. "I was excited for you. I wanted you to succeed, I wanted you to win games, I wanted you to get to the playoffs. And so I feel bad that I felt that early on, but I'm glad I transitioned to loving and rooting for you."Roethlisberger spent his entire 18-year career with the Steelers, leading them to two Super Bowl victories and establishing numerous franchise passing records. He retired after the 2021 campaign.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

NFL owners approved a bylaw Monday allowing teams to dress a third quarterback on game days without using an active roster spot.Clubs can have 53 players on the active roster, but only 48 can dress for a game. The new rule will let teams dress 48 players for contests plus a third signal-caller.The emergency quarterback must be on the 53-man roster and can't be a practice squad call-up. The extra signal-caller can only enter a contest if the two other quarterbacks are injured or disqualified, and he must exit if either quarterback is cleared to re-enter the game.Teams were previously permitted to dress a third quarterback without counting against the game-day roster from 1991-2010. However, the league abolished the rule when it increased the number of players active for game day from 45 to 46.The lack of an emergency passer proved problematic for the San Francisco 49ers in last season's NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Starting quarterback Brock Purdy exited the contest due to an elbow injury, forcing veteran journeyman Josh Johnson into the lineup. San Francisco later ruled Johnson out with a concussion, leaving it with no healthy quarterbacks. A combination of running back Christian McCaffrey and a still-injured Purdy took the remainder of the team's snaps.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL is investigating a second wave of potential violations of its gambling policies, sources told ESPN's David Purdum.No players, coaches, or teams that could be under investigation have been revealed.Five players were suspended in April, including Detroit Lions wide receivers Jameson Williams, Stanley Berryhill, and Quintez Cephus, Lions defensive back C.J. Moore, and Washington Commanders defensive end Shaka Toney.Cephus, Moore, and Toney were banned indefinitely for placing bets on NFL games during the 2022 season, while Williams and Berryhill were each given six-game suspensions for gambling on college football games while at the team's facilities. Under current policies, players can gamble on sports outside of the NFL but are not permitted to place bets at team facilities.Other gambling-related player suspensions were levied against former Arizona Cardinals defensive back Josh Shaw in 2019 and Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Calvin Ridley in 2022, with both receiving indefinite bans. The latter received his suspension as a member of the Atlanta Falcons.New York Jets wide receivers coach Miles Austin also received an indefinite ban in December. Coaches are not permitted to gamble on any sports.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Washington Commanders are unlikely to face any penalties regarding tampering allegations involving retired quarterback Andrew Luck, sources told The Washington Post's Mark Maske and Nicki Jhabvala.There is "not enough hard evidence" of impermissible contact for the Commanders to face punishment, Maske and Jhabvala report.Washington reportedly contacted the former four-time Pro Bowl passer as the team deliberated about its options at quarterback during the 2022 offseason.The Indianapolis Colts requested that the league investigate whether the Commanders contacted the former signal-caller, whose contractual rights remain with Indianapolis. It doesn't appear that the league initiated a formal investigation into allegations regarding the Commanders.A person close to Luck said that Washington didn't contact Luck, his father, or his uncle, who served as his agent. The 2012 first overall pick hasn't given any indication that he's interested in making a return to the field. The Stanford product led Indianapolis to a 53-33 record as a starter.Luck stunned the league when he announced his retirement after seven seasons at the age of 29. Injuries played a significant role in his decision to walk away from the game. He signed a five-year, $122.97-million extension with the Colts in 2016.Second-year passer Sam Howell is expected to lead the Commanders' offense next season. The club also signed veteran Jacoby Brissett to serve as a backup.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The 2023 NFL regular season will begin Thursday, Sept. 7 with the reigning champion Kansas City Chiefs hosting the Detroit Lions at Arrowhead Stadium, sources told Jordan Schultz, theScore's NFL insider.The league later confirmed the scheduled game.The matchup will feature two of the most potent offenses in the league from a year ago. The Chiefs led the NFL in scoring last season with 29.2 points per game, while the Lions ranked fifth with 26.6 points per outing.Kansas City and Detroit last met in 2019, when the Chiefs took a 34-30 decision in Motown. Kansas City won its last two contests against the Lions dating back to 2015.The Chiefs, led by superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes, are expected to feature in several high-profile games on the 2023 schedule. They're already penciled in for an international affair with the Miami Dolphins in Week 9.The NFL will unveil every team's full schedule Thursday night.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Mark your calendars, football fans.The NFL announced the full schedule for the 2023 regular season Thursday. This year's slate features several must-watch matchups, including 14 playoff rematches from 2022 and 23 Super Bowl rematches.Here are the five best weeks of the 2023 campaign:5) Week 11Best gamesDateTime (ET)Chiefs vs. EaglesNov. 208:15 p.m.Bills vs. JetsNov. 194:25 p.m.Ravens vs. BengalsNov. 168:15 p.m.Several weeks could've taken this fifth spot, including a Week 6 that features Buffalo Bills-New York Giants, New York Jets-Philadelphia Eagles, and Los Angeles Chargers-Dallas Cowboys, among other matchups. However, Week 11 got the edge for featuring the most anticipated game of the 2023 regular season.The Super Bowl LVII rematch between the Kansas City Chiefs and Eagles will line up last season's two best teams. Kansas City edged Philadelphia in February in a nail-biting 38-35 matchup, and we should expect something similar here. The storylines behind this matchup are endless, including a clash between quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts, the Kelce brothers facing each other again, and Andy Reid coaching against his former team. The list goes on. Cooper Neill / Getty Images Sport / GettyWeek 11 also features another heavyweight bout between the Aaron Rodgers-led Jets and the Josh Allen-led Bills. That'll be the second meeting of the season between the two AFC East rivals, and it could carry big playoff implications heading into the final stretch of the campaign.4) Week 13Best gamesDateTime (ET)Eagles vs. 49ersDec. 34:25 p.m.Jaguars vs. BengalsDec. 48:15 p.m.Cowboys vs. SeahawksNov. 308:15 p.m.Chiefs vs. PackersDec. 38:20 p.m.Patriots vs. ChargersDec. 31 p.m.Week 13 starts and ends with a banger. Dak Prescott and Dallas will host Geno Smith and the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday Night Football before another pair of playoff teams go head to head with the Cincinnati Bengals visiting the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday night. That matchup will also give NFL fans a battle between two outstanding quarterbacks and former No. 1 picks in Trevor Lawrence and Joe Burrow.San Francisco fans can't wait to face the Eagles again after Philadelphia beat the 49ers 31-7 in last season's NFC title game. It's hard to talk about that contest and not mention the fact the Niners had to play most of it with their fourth-string quarterback. Would the outcome of that bout have changed had Brock Purdy not gone down with a first-quarter injury? That's what the 49ers fans think, and the team will have a chance to prove that point in Week 13. Let's also keep an eye on Javon Hargrave, who signed with San Francisco after putting on a show for Philly in 2022.3) Week 5Best gamesDateTime (ET)49ers vs. CowboysOct. 88:20 p.m.Bills vs. JaguarsOct. 89:30 a.m.Vikings vs. ChiefsOct. 84:25 p.m.Dolphins vs. GiantsOct. 81 p.m.Steelers vs. RavensOct. 81 p.m.Raiders vs. PackersOct. 98:15 p.m.Week 5 has essentially everything. Playoff rematches? Check. Powerhouses going head to head? Check. Great rivalries? Check. Revenge games? Check. There's even a game in London between Buffalo and Jacksonville! AAron Ontiveroz/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images / Denver Post / GettyAll eyes will be on 49ers-Cowboys, one of the greatest rivalries in all of sports. There'll be 10 Super Bowl titles combined when those teams square off again in 2023. San Francisco has eliminated Dallas in the playoffs in each of the last two seasons, including a 19-12 victory in the divisional round in January.There were questions about how good the Vikings were last year despite finishing the campaign with 13 wins. We'll have a very good idea of how good they are in 2023 just a month into the season when they host the Chiefs.2) Week 9Best gamesDateTime (ET)Chiefs vs. DolphinsNov. 59:30 a.m.Eagles vs. CowboysNov. 54:25 p.m.Bengals vs. BillsNov. 58:20 p.m.Jets vs. ChargersNov. 68:15 p.m.Ravens vs. SeahawksNov. 51 p.m.Raiders vs. GiantsNov. 54:25 p.m.Tyreek Hill facing the Chiefs for the first time since the trade that sent him to the Dolphins is must-watch TV. All of us, including Hill himself, wished the game happened at Arrowhead Stadium, but the NFL scheduled it in Germany. That said, it'll be fascinating to watch Hill and Miami's dynamic offense trying to keep up with Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Co.The Chiefs playing the Miami Dolphins alone makes Week 9 one of the most interesting weeks of the season. But there's much more, with the Eagles hosting the Cowboys in a bout with presumably a lot at stake and the Bills visiting the Bengals in a battle of AFC contenders just months after Cincy beat Buffalo in the playoffs. Those matchups make a meeting between two playoff teams (Baltimore Ravens versus Seahawks) and a Monday Night Football between Rodgers and Justin Herbert look normal. Get your popcorn ready!1) Week 1Best gamesDateTime (ET)Jets vs. BillsSept. 118:15 p.m.Chiefs vs. LionsSept. 78:20 p.m.Giants vs. CowboysSept. 108:20 p.m.Chargers vs. DolphinsSept. 104:25 p.m.Bears vs. PackersSept. 104:25 p.m.Patriots vs. EaglesSept. 104:25 p.mSteelers vs. 49ersSept. 101 p.m.This year's Week 1 will be one to remember. Yes, season openers are always exciting. But the first weekend of the 2023 NFL season features a schedule as spectacular as any football fan could ask for.Things start with the Chiefs kicking off the season against the Detroit Lions in a battle of two of the league's best offenses. It's also the first time Mahomes and Jared Goff face off since Goff led the Los Angeles Rams to a historic 54-51 win over Kansas City on Monday Night Football in 2018. A rivalry meeting between the Cowboys and Giants - both playoff teams last year - will take place on Sunday Night Football, while Rodgers will make his debut with the new-look Jets on Monday night versus Allen and the Bills in one of the most anticipated games of the campaign. Cooper Neill / Getty Images Sport / GettyIt doesn't stop there, though. Sunday's Week 1 afternoon slate will also include a Super Bowl rematch between the Eagles and New England Patriots and another chapter of the NFL's oldest rivalry, as the Jordan Love era with the Green Bay Packers begins versus the Chicago Bears. Oh, and the Dolphins squaring off against the Chargers should be pretty interesting, too. Make sure you're ready for the Tua Tagovailoa versus Justin Herbert debate by then.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL released its complete schedule for the 2023 regular season Thursday evening.Follow the links below to see team-by-team schedules.NFC

Find positional rankings, additional analysis, and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.Welcome to theScore Fantasy Football Podcast, hosted by Justin Boone.Find the show on iTunes, Spotify, Google, Stitcher, and Anchor.In this episode, Jordan McNamara of Analytics of Dynasty joins Boone to go over the biggest questions facing fantasy managers in this year's dynasty rookie drafts.

Buffalo Bills signal-caller Josh Allen believes Patrick Mahomes deserves the distinction of being the best quarterback in the AFC.Allen threw his support behind Mahomes while discussing a tier list of AFC quarterbacks on the "Kyle Brandt's Basement" podcast Wednesday."Until me or (Joe Burrow) or anybody else can win a Super Bowl, I think Pat's kinda the clear No. 1 right now," Allen said. "He's been playing at such a high level for so long, and he's got the rings to prove it."In his five seasons as the Kansas City Chiefs' starting quarterback, Mahomes led the team to five straight AFC Championship Game appearances and two Super Bowl championships. He has two NFL MVP awards, two Super Bowl MVP awards, and five Pro Bowl selections to his name.Allen finished third in NFL MVP voting last season after leading the Bills to a 13-3 record and their third straight AFC East title. The team fell to the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC divisional round.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Los Angeles Rams star defensive tackle Aaron Donald says he feels healthy after missing the final six regular-season games in 2022.The three-time Defensive Player of the Year underwent surgery to fix a left high ankle sprain sustained in a Week 13 contest versus the Kansas City Chiefs. It was the first injury that prevented Donald from taking the field in his career."It was different," Donald said when asked about the injury on Wednesday, according to ESPN's Lindsey Thiry. "But I'm at 100% now, so that's all that matters. Feeling good, able to do everything I need to do to get myself to where I need to be."Donald turned in a career-low five sacks and 10 tackles for loss last season. Although he was named a Pro Bowler for the ninth time in his career, his seven-year first-team All-Pro streak came to an end.L.A. dealt with numerous injuries to key players in 2022 that resulted in a 5-12 season. Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp were just a couple of the names that missed significant stretches alongside Donald. It was a disappointing follow-up after the Rams won Super Bowl LVI.The Rams' roster will look much different in 2023 after stars Jalen Ramsey, Bobby Wagner, and Leonard Floyd departed the club in the offseason as the team attempts to clear salary cap space.Donald understands that the attrition of key contributors is merely part of the business."Obviously, it is different than what we've seen in the past few years, but a lot of young guys will have to step up," he said. "I have to be a huge part to help us have success."He expressed eagerness to welcome the young additions to the roster. After reports that he contemplated retirement, Donald says it "never really crossed my mind."The Pitt product is set to enter his 10th season with the Rams. Donald, who turns 32 later this month, remains the highest-paid defender in the league with an average annual salary of $31.6 million, per Over the Cap.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Kansas City Chiefs are heading to the White House.President Joe Biden will host the Chiefs at the White House on June 5 to celebrate the franchise's Super Bowl-winning 2022 campaign, the team announced Tuesday.It'll mark the Chiefs' first-ever visit to the White House to celebrate a Super Bowl title, according to Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star. Kansas City didn't make a presidential visit following its Super Bowl LIV win over the San Francisco 49ers due to COVID-19.Kansas City's triumph over the Philadelphia Eagles in February secured the franchise's third Lombardi Trophy. Patrick Mahomes was named Super Bowl MVP after throwing for three touchdowns to zero interceptions in the 38-35 win.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Only the NFL can make an announcement about an announcement. However, that doesn't mean we can't get fired up about the league announcing it'll unveil the 2023 schedule Thursday. As such, we'll celebrate it like any good pro football bettor does - putting in some early work. Sure, we know the shape of the rosters - post-free agency and the draft. But now that we know when each matchup is happening, intrepid sportsbooks can line every game of the season if they want to.As we did with the AFC, we'll look at how the betting market feels about each NFC team after all the offseason moves and use that as a starting point for our own ratings.We deploy a rating system out of 100 for each club, which we'll keep throughout the campaign. Let's take the median prescribed win total that the market is giving us and take that win percentage to create an initial rating.NFC Regular Season Win totalsTEAMRSW (Over odds)RATING49ers11.5 (+110)66Eagles10.5 (-150)65Cowboys9.5 (-140)59Lions9.5 (-140)59Saints9.5 (+105)54Seahawks8.5 (-125)52Vikings8.5 (-120)52Giants8.5 (+115)50Falcons7.5 (-160)47Panthers7.5 (-160)47Bears7.5 (-130)46Rams7.5 (-130)46Packers7.5 (-125)46Commanders7.5 (+120)43Buccaneers6.5 (+105)37Cardinals4.5 (-120)27The 49ers extrapolate out to a team that would be 66% likely to beat an average squad on a neutral site after one of two necessary alterations.Since San Francisco is +110 to go over 11.5, its rating should be more of an 11.25-win team than an 11.5. The Eagles are -150 to go over 10.5, which puts them closer to an 11-win club. That creates a tight gap between these two squads akin to when Philadelphia was a slight home favorite against the Niners in the NFC title game last January.It gets even tighter - and potentially flips - when you adjust for division quality. The NFC East is being considered the best in the conference, with the division's teams combining for 36 projected wins. The average is 34 wins for a division. That bumps each member of the NFC East up 6% and the Eagles closer to 70.Of course, there will likely be clubs the market ends up rating in the mid-to-high 70s if they prove it's warranted. The Eagles were that team last year after coming into the season with a relatively modest 9.5-win total and an associated rating in the mid-50s. Philadelphia then started the campaign as the last undefeated team and covered repeatedly along the way - the biggest sign that a squad's valuation should be increased. Eventually, the Eagles reached the mid-70s and found themselves in Super Bowl LVII.In the AFC win total article, we looked at what would happen if you used the following formula to create a point spread between the league's best and worst teams. Here, we'll look at closely matched clubs in the Vikings (52) and Giants (50).In the NFL, you won't see a point spread of more than four touchdowns, so we use a maximum point spread of 28 points. Take a team's rating out of 100 and multiply it by 28 to get their point value.RATING(*28)PT. DIFF.Giants.50 x 2814Vikings.52 x 2814.5That comes out to a half-point spread differential on neutral territory. Next, add two points for home-field advantage, and the Vikings would be a -2.5 at home. In MetLife Stadium, the Giants would be the favorite at -1.5.The Giants went to Minnesota twice last season. They covered as 4.5-point underdogs in the regular season and won outright as 2.5-point underdogs as the market slowly realized there wasn't much between the teams despite a decent-sized difference in their record. With a new season comes a restart in the market. And sure enough, the Giants and Vikings are similarly rated for 2023.It's worth remembering that these win totals will change throughout the offseason, particularly when serious bettors are allowed to attack this market with higher limits closer to the campaign's start. However, with schedule leaks already happening, you can use season win-total markets to project the point spread of every game this campaign.Matt Russell is the lead betting analyst for theScore. If there's a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on Twitter @mrussauthentic.Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.