Ryan Fitzpatrick ‘knows’ Browns are excited about this QB
During an appearance on Thursday’s edition of NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football” program, retired quarterback and current “Thursday Night Football” analyst Ryan Fitzpatrick echoed others and said he believes veteran Joe Flacco will enter the upcoming season as the Cleveland Browns’ starting signal-caller over Kenny Pickett, rookie Dillon Gabriel and
Cleveland hopes Haslams will help pay for demolition of downtown stadium
The Factory of Sadness will soon be closing. And it will eventually be demolished. Via Rich Exner of Cleveland.com, the Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb hopes the Browns will contribute to the cost of tearing it down. “We have spent a half-billion dollars since 1999 to support the Browns and support
49ers WR Demarcus Robinson Pleads No Contest To DUI Charge
Demarcus Robinson was arrested on a DUI charge in November, and a formal charge was laid in January. The veteran receiver’s legal process on that front has now reached a conclusion. Robinson entered a plea of no contest to a misdemeanor DUI charge earlier this week, as detailed by ESPN.com. As
Petition emerges to remove Lloyd Howell as NFLPA executive director
The heat is on. The various scandals and issues engulfing NFL Players Association executive director Lloyd Howell seemingly reached critical mass on Thursday morning, with the report from ESPN.com that he works as a part-time consultant for a private-equity fund that is on the short list of companies than can
AFC under-the-radar rookies, training camp reporting dates
The first round of the NFL Draft doesn’t produce all the stars. Teams mine gems beyond the first 32 picks. Ahead of training camp in late July, Yardbarker NFL writers identify an under-the-radar rookie on each AFC team who could make a major impact this season. Training camp reporting dates
Insider shares ‘common sense’ reason Watt hasn’t yet received extension
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrote Wednesday that an unnamed NFL coordinator felt Pittsburgh Steelers pass-rusher T.J. Watt “wore down a little bit” during the second half of the 2024 campaign as the club endured a losing streak that ran from Week 15 through its wild-card loss to the Baltimore Ravens. NFL
Jets CB Michael Carter II Fully Healthy
Michael Carter II managed to play 13 games last season, but he was nowhere near full strength for much of that time. The fifth-year Jets corner is healthy entering training camp, however. Carter dealt with an ankle injury which lingered through the opening part of the campaign. He eventually recovered but
One-time MVP addresses how 49ers’ Brock Purdy is underrated
Discussions about whether or not San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy is overrated or underrated existed long before the club signed him to a five-year, $265M contract extension that included $181M in guarantees and a no-trade clause earlier this offseason. Retired quarterback, one-time regular-season Most Valuable Player and current NFL analyst Matt
Trey Smith on long-term deal: I just leave it to the hands of my agents
The Chiefs elected to franchise tag guard Trey Smith this offseason instead of letting him hit free agency. Now, Smith and Kansas City are facing a July 15 deadline to strike a long-term deal. In a recent interview with Up & Adams, Smith was asked what he feels the latest
Lions’ Hutchinson shares warning for NFL coming off gruesome injury
As one unnamed AFC executive mentioned during a recent chat with ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Detroit Lions pass-rusher Aidan Hutchinson was well on his way to becoming at least a finalist for the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year Award before he suffered gruesome fractures of his tibia and fibula in
Justin Simmons Aims To Sign With Contender
Last year, Justin Simmons was among the veteran safeties who remained on the market deep into free agency. He ultimately took a deal with the Falcons in August, but another change of scenery is expected this time around. In 2024, Simmons made it clear signing with a playoff contender was his top
Lane Johnson: I still feel young in heart, but you can’t ignore Father Time
With Brandon Graham’s retirement after Philadelphia won Super Bowl LIX, Lane Johnson is now the Eagles’ elder statesman. Entering his 13th season, the two-time, first-team All-Pro offensive tackle is still under contract through 2027. If he plays that long, it would put him in a tie with Graham as the
Justin Simmons being “more picky” in search for contending team to play for in 2025
Safety Justin Simmons has been named a second-team All-Pro and a Pro Bowler over the course of his nine-year NFL career, but he’s never appeared in a playoff game and changing that is the top thing on his mind as he looks for a place to play in 2025. A
Penix expands on leadership style amid awkward Cousins situation
Earlier in the NFL offseason, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. discussed “finding his voice” as a leader and “connecting with everybody around the team” now that he has replaced veteran Kirk Cousins as the club’s full-time starter. During a recent conversation with Falcons icon Michael Vick, Penix was asked to expand
What Steelers’ Calvin Austin III learned about Aaron Rodgers
Calvin Austin III was among the Pittsburgh Steelers’ wide receivers who spent time working out with quarterback Aaron Rodgers in Malibu shortly after Rodgers officially joined the Steelers ahead of the club’s mandatory minicamp in June. During a recent chat with Doc Holliday of Memphis’ Action News 5, Austin touched
Aidan Hutchinson: I’m exactly where I need to be coming off of injury
Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson said in May that he was fully cleared to return from the broken leg that ended his 2024 season after five games and that announcement marked the end of a long rehabilitation process. During a recent appearance on the With the First Pick podcast, Hutchinson
The ‘Pro Football Hall-of-Fame All-2010’s team’ quiz
Happy 36th birthday to New Orleans Saints defensive end and eight-time Pro Bowler Cameron Jordan! Heading into his 15th NFL season — all with New Orleans — Jordan’s 121.5 sacks are second amongst all active players and second all-time since sacks were officially tracked in 1982 with 121.5 sacks and
Report: Lloyd Howell works as part-time consultant for private-equity fund with NFL ties
It’s starting to feel like Lloyd Howell won’t be the executive director of the NFL Players Association much longer. Already mired in perhaps more controversies than he can survive — and faced with the recent hire of an outside lawyer to review his activities during his two years on the
Jerry Jones’s Legends Hospitality will pay $1.5 million penalty for antitrust violation
The headline? Long-time sports executive Tim Leiweke (older brother of former NFL COO Tod Leiweke) has been indicted on federal bid-rigging charges. Something far more interesting, and potentially far more relevant to the NFL, lurks beneath the top-line news. Tim Leiweke served, until Wednesday, as the CEO of Oak View
Report: NFL intends to seek $12 million in attorneys’ fees and costs for collusion grievance
Wednesday’s report from Don Van Natta Jr. and Kalyn Kahler of ESPN.com is chock full of impactful nuggets regarding the collusion ruling that the NFL and NFL Players Association hid from everyone for more than five months. Here’s one, from the first sentence of the article’s final paragraph: “On Wednesday,
Deion Sanders: I wish college football had a salary cap, current spending is crazy
Colorado coach Deion Sanders hasn’t been shy about building his roster through the transfer portal and helping players get paid in name, image and likeness deals. But he believes college football desperately needs limits on that. Sanders said at Big 12 media day that college football should have a salary
Commanders seem to be laying foundation for potential return to their old name
This item isn’t about whether the Commanders should or shouldn’t have changed their name. It’s not about whether they should or shouldn’t change it back. It’s simply an effort to assess whether the foundation is being laid to do it, at some point. And the Commanders currently seem to be
NFL receivers gathered this week for a “Wideout Workshop” hosted by Chad Ochocinco
Some of the NFL’s best wide receivers gathered in Miami this week for the first-ever Wideout Workshop, an event hosted by former NFL receiver Chad Ochocinco at which wide receivers could work out together and compare notes on how to develop their games. Those in attendance included Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase
NFLPA hires outside law firm to review Lloyd Howell’s work as executive director
The new item from Don Van Natta Jr. and Kalyn Kahler of ESPN.com regarding the collusion ruling has plenty of interesting news. Perhaps the most impactful relates to something unrelated to the collusion case. For now, at least. Last month, per the report, the NFLPA hired Ronald C. Machen of
CFL suspends former NFL LB Kemoko Turay for role in recent brawl
Kemoko Turay, a second-round pick of the Colts in 2018, has been suspended by the CFL. Turay received a one-game suspension for his role in a post-game brawl following the B.C. Lions’ 21-20 win over the Montreal Alouettes. Three other players were fined for the melee. Turay was suspended for
Unprecedented number of 2025 NFL Draft picks still unsigned
The NFL has hit a logjam and is collectively lagging far behind where it normally is at this point in the offseason. Two years ago, the league hit its last 30 unsigned players before July. Last year, teams were signing rookies as quickly as they were drafting them, and only
33 Unsigned 2025 Draft Picks Remain
The NFL has hit a logjam and is collectively lagging far behind where it normally is at this point in the offseason. Two years ago, the league hit its last 30 unsigned players before July. Last year, teams were signing rookies as quickly as they were drafting them, and only
Bears DE Austin Booker Primed For Breakout Season
Chicago’s biggest free agent signings this offseason were on their defensive and offensive fronts. Defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo, defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, and center Drew Dalman all earned three-year contracts with values north of $40MM. Odeyingbo will now line up across from Montez Sweat on the ends of the defensive
Former Ohio legislators sue over plan to pay for Browns stadium with “unclaimed funds”
The Browns will get $600 million from Ohio to help pay for their new stadium in suburban Brook Park. The plan for coming up with the money is officially under legal attack. Via Eric Fisher of FrontOfficeSports.com, a group of former Ohio legislators have filed a lawsuit challenging the decision
Report: NFLPA executive director Lloyd Howell blamed De Smith for wasting sources on collusion case
While the NFL technically won the collusion grievance over the effort to suppress guaranteed salaries, the NFL Players Association scored a partial victory. It also generated compelling evidence of actual coordination among owners. Inexplicably, the NFLPA has not used the outcome to its advantage. Only now, two weeks after Pablo
Demarcus Robinson pleads no contest to misdemeanor DUI
49es wide receiver Demarcus Robinson pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor DUI charge stemming from his arrest last November, the Orange County Register reports. A judge sentenced Robinson to 36 months of probation and imposed a $390 fine on Tuesday. Robinson also has penalty assessment and is required to complete
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/9/25
July 9th, 2025 at 6:39pm CST by Ely Allen It’s been a while, but we have a minor NFL transaction today: Miami Dolphins At the beginning of the month, we saw news that the Dolphins intended to trade for the retired Giants tight end, with the official transaction going through
Source: NFL, NFLPA agreed to pause collusion litigation indefinitely after ruling
The secret agreement between the NFL and NFL Players Association to conceal the ruling in the collusion case regarding fully-guaranteed contracts included an important provision that will allow the NFLPA to pursue an appeal, nearly six months after the ruling was signed. Per a source with knowledge of the situation,
NFLPA To Appeal Collusion Ruling
In January, arbitrator Christopher Droney issued a ruling on the NFLPA’s collusion case filed against the NFL. Details of that decision were revealed two weeks ago after both parties agreed to suppress the findings. The league and union struck a confidentiality agreement in an attempt to keep Droney’s ruling secret,
NFLPA director should be on hot seat after collusion findings
While in New Orleans for Super Bowl LIX this past February, NFL Players Association executive director Lloyd Howell Jr. celebrated the union’s communication with members under his watch. However, less than a month earlier, he worked with the league office to keep players in the dark over an explosive collusion
Eli Manning Backs Out Of Giants Ownership Bid
The Giants are among the NFL teams looking into the sale of a minority ownership stake. Eli Manning showed early interest in a bid, but he has since backed out of that endeavor. During an interview with CNBC Sport (video link), the two-time Super Bowl winner said he is no longer pursuing
Report: NFLPA decides to appeal collusion ruling
The NFLPA may be engaged in a little CYA. Two weeks after Pablo Torre Finds Out (and I helped) peeled back the curtain on the outcome of a collusion grievance that both the NFL and NFL Players Association had buried for more than five months, the NFLPA made a decision.
Rams Not Prepared To Offer Market-Topping Deal To RB Kyren Williams
Kyren Williams and the Rams have discussed an extension this offseason, and plenty of time remains for a deal to be struck before Week 1. If/when a second contract is in hand for the fourth-year running back, though, it should not be expected to move him to the top of the
Vikings and Wilf family commit $500,000 to rescue and recovery efforts in Texas flooding
It made perfect sense for the NFL teams based in Texas to contribute $500,000 each to rescue and relief efforts from the catastrophic flooding that has claimed many lives and caused widespread deduction. Now, a team not tied to Texas is matching what the Cowboys and Texans did. The Vikings
Manning reveals decision about possibly buying minority stake in Giants
A report from this past February revealed that New York Giants legend Eli Manning could potentially be part of an investment group that would purchase a 10 percent stake in the Giants. On Wednesday, Manning told CNBC Sport that he is no longer pursuing such a deal. “Basically, it’s too
Michael Penix: Making playoffs is what will make a successful season
The release of Quarterback on Netflix this week shifted attention back to the Falcons’ decision to turn to Michael Penix as their starting quarterback last season. Kirk Cousins is one of the subjects of the show and Cousins said that he felt the Falcons “misled” him by drafting Penix early
Browns Could Try To Trade CB Greg Newsome
The Browns are not expected to compete in 2025 and will likely look to trade players on expiring contracts as they load up on 2026 draft picks. One of the team’s most prominent trade candidates is veteran cornerback Greg Newsome, according to The Athletic’s Zac Jackson, a 2020 first-round pick
Insider offers update on trade rumors regarding Giants’ Jameis Winston
Whispers suggesting that the New York Giants are essentially hoping that some team will trade for backup quarterback Jameis Winston this summer continue to hover over the club ahead of training camp. For a piece published on Wednesday, Giants reporter Dan Duggan of The Athletic explained why it’s likely Winston will
Report: NFL hires six new officials, promotes Alex Moore to referee
The NFL has hired six new officials to replace the six officials who retired or not retained, Football Zebras reports. Umpire Marcus Woods (ACC), down judge Andy Werner (Big 12), line judge Quentin Givens (Big 12), umpire Larry Smith (Big Ten), umpire Brandon Ellison (ACC) and back judge Courtney Brown
Packers Expected To Extend RT Zach Tom
The Packers are expected to sign right tackle Zach Tom to a long-term contract extension before the start of the regular season, according to The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman. Tom, a 2022 fourth-round pick, is entering the final year of his rookie deal. He served as a versatile backup in his
Eli Manning taps out of buying a piece of the Giants, calling it “too expensive”
The Giants are selling 10 percent of the team. The player for whom the number 10 had been retired was interested in making a purchase. Now? Not. “Basically, it’s too expensive for me,” Eli Manning told CNBC Sport. “These numbers are getting very big. . . . A one-percent stake
Reporter explains Steelers’ alleged stance on trading T.J. Watt
As recently as Tuesday, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter insisted that the Pittsburgh Steelers “have zero intention of trading” star pass-rusher T.J. Watt amid Watt’s desire for a big-money contract extension. During a Wednesday update shared on Bleacher Report’s YouTube page, league reporter James Palmer expanded on the Steelers’ stance regarding a possible
Giants’ RG Battle Takes Shape Ahead Of Training Camp
The Giants are returning all five of their starting offensive linemen from last season, but they are still expected to hold a competition for the right guard job during training camp, according to The Athletic’s Dan Duggan. 10-year veteran Greg Van Roten played every snap at right guard in 2024,
Vikings’ Dallas Turner was scammed out of $240,000
Vikings linebacker Dallas Turner wired $240,000 to scammers who convinced him that they were representatives of his bank, and police are now investigating the matter. The Minnesota Star Tribune reports that police have identified several suspects and are moving toward filing charges. About 1 percent of the money — less
Commanders 2025 alternate jerseys lean into lofty expectations
The Washington Commanders are dressing for the part. On Wednesday, the franchise revealed throwback jerseys for the 2025 season which lean into the team’s lofty expectations while honoring the most successful era in team history. The Commanders’ “Super Bowl era” throwback uniforms recall the road outfits the team wore when