NFL schedule-maker Howard Katz will retire after 2025 slate is set
The NFL’s long-time scheduling guru has scheduled his retirement. Via Ben Fischer of Sports Business Journal, NFL senior V.P. of broadcasting and media operations Howard Katz will retire after the 2025 schedule is set in May. Katz, 75, is a former TV executive who has spent more than 20 years
Travis Hunter facing one big question ahead of NFL Draft
Travis Hunter is widely expected to be one of the top players selected in the 2025 NFL Draft, but a big question about the former Colorado star still has not been answered: What position will he play? The answer depends upon which team drafts Hunter. At Colorado, Hunter was a
Baltimore sues DraftKings, FanDuel for allegedly exploiting problem gamblers
Nearly seven years since the Supreme Court opened the floodgates for state-by-state legalized sports wagering, it’s still the Wild West. And with the federal government doing little if anything to regulate the sports-betting industry, it’s up to litigation to apply guardrails to our current BET! BET! BET! reality. The latest
Bills Unlikely To Extend RB James Cook Before Draft
The Bills’ offseason has been defined in large part by their extension efforts with key in-house players. Quarterback Josh Allen‘s recent top-up has him near the top of the position’s pecking order, and a quartet of starters on their rookie contracts now have lucrative second deals in place. Receiver Khalil Shakir, linebacker Terrel
Inside the new Geno Smith deal
Quarterback Geno Smith has gotten his extension. He didn’t get it from the team everyone thought he’d get it from. Four weeks ago today, the Seahawks abruptly struck a deal to trade Smith to the Raiders. On Thursday, news emerged of two new years being added to the one year
Analyst shares worrisome evaluations of Ward, Sanders, Dart
As of the first Friday of April, it seemed to be a realistic possibility that a quarterback class previously thought to be weak could become responsible for three signal-callers taken in the first nine picks of the 2025 NFL Draft. On Friday morning, ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller suggested that
Former Bills G.M. Doug Whaley is the G.M. of Pitt football, sort of
Former Bills G.M. Doug Whaley has joined the emerging trend of college football programs hiring General Managers. Sort of. Via Stephen Thompson of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi said Thursday that Whaley has essentially been operating in the role of G.M. “for a couple of years.” The program
How Browns, Giants or Patriots reportedly could use Travis Hunter
Barring what would be a shocking development, the Tennessee Titans are expected to make Miami quarterback Cam Ward the first pick of the 2025 NFL Draft. This would leave the Cleveland Browns (pick No. 2), New York Giants (No. 3) and New England Patriots (No. 4) as potential landing spots
Hamilton County blames Bengals for delayed stadium deal
All eyes in Cincinnati are suddenly on the ticking clock toward an expiration of the Bengals’ lease at Paycor Stadium. Earlier this week, Bengals executive V.P. Katie Blackburn acknowledged the reality that, without an extension, the Bengals are technically free to play anywhere in 2026. To the extent that time
Free Agency, Humphrey, Simpson, Washington
To little surprise, the Ravens have not been busy so far in free agency. Modest outside additions (DeAndre Hopkins, Cooper Rush, Chidobe Awuzie) have set the team up for adding further depth in the draft, but Baltimore has also shown interest in other moves recently. The Ravens were “in on
Liam Coen: We’ve got to help Trevor Lawrence by running the football better
The last two seasons have been disappointing ones in Jacksonville and the hope is that a change in head coaches will move the franchise in a better direction in 2025. For Liam Coen’s arrival to have that kind of impact, the Jags will need quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s play to rebound
Insider addresses Browns’ possible QB plans for 2025 NFL Draft
Rumblings suggesting that the Cleveland Browns are ready to take either Penn State pass-rusher Abdul Carter or Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter instead of quarterback Shedeur Sanders with the second overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft have grown louder. In his latest mailbag, NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated discussed
NFL Draft countdown: Focus on Broncos’ first-round pick at No. 20
McMillan averaged 1,141 yards and 8.6 touchdowns in three years with Arizona and 87 catches over his last two campaigns. Courtland Sutton led all Broncos receivers with 1,081, but the seven-year veteran is entering the final year of his contract. If he can’t come to terms with Denver, McMillan would
Jets or Colts likely to draft Penn State TE Tyler Warren, according to betting odds
The best tight end in the 2025 NFL draft is likely to end up with the Jets or Colts, if the betting odds are to be believed. The Jets and Colts are co-favorites to select Penn State tight end Tyler Warren, with +180 odds at DraftKings. The next-shortest odds belong
Arthur Blank: Falcons’ draft emphasis will be on defense
There are a few weeks to go before the 2025 NFL Draft will be in full swing, but the Falcons are giving a hint about what direction they are going to take in Green Bay later this month. That hint came from owner Arthur Blank when he spoke to reporters
Josh McDaniels: Year away from football was a blessing
When Josh McDaniels was fired as the Broncos head coach in December 2010, it took him a little more than a month to land a new job as the Rams’ offensive coordinator. McDaniels’ second head coaching stint also ended with an in-season dismissal, but he didn’t jump right into a
Dan Campbell on tush push: Eagles found something, it’s up to everybody else to stop it
Lions coach Dan Campbell says the Eagles’ tush push needs to be stopped by opposing defenses, not a change to the NFL rulebook. Campbell was asked at the league meeting if the tush push should remain legal, and he made clear that he doesn’t think it’s fair to pass a
Mike McDaniel explains faith in Zach Wilson as reclamation project
The New York Jets gave up on quarterback Zach Wilson after just three seasons, and the second overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft then spent the 2024 campaign as an unused backup with the Denver Broncos. In March, Wilson signed with the Miami Dolphins to continue his development under head
Todd Bowles on Haason Reddick: Last season was a wash, he’ll be his old self in Tampa Bay
The Buccaneers signed pass rusher Haason Reddick last month expecting him to get back to Pro Bowl form, according to coach Todd Bowles. Reddick had a strange season in 2024, getting traded from the Eagles to the Jets and then asking for the Jets to trade him before ever playing
Steelers insider addresses concerns about Aaron Rodgers, Arthur Smith fit
While Pittsburgh Steelers owner and president Art Rooney II seems confident his club will soon sign quarterback Aaron Rodgers, some previously wondered who between Rodgers and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith will truly be running the team’s offense by September. During a recent appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio, Steelers insider Mark Kaboly of “The Pat
Why Browns could have Pickett compete with Shough for starting QB job
In his latest mock draft published on Wednesday, ESPN’s Field Yates predicted that the Cleveland Browns would take Penn State pass-rusher Abdul Carter with the second pick of the 2025 NFL Draft and then grab Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough at overall selection No. 33. For an article posted on Thursday, analyst
Bills, Christian Benford Agree On Extension
APRIL 3: Benford’s deal does not quite check in at $76MM, but rather $69MM, per Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio. The contract includes just $18.85MM at signing. While Benford’s updated AAV ($17.25MM) ranks 19th among cornerbacks, his full guarantee sits 24th at the position. Though, there are mechanisms in place
Former QB shares bold NFL Draft prediction regarding Dart
Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart emerged from the NFL Scouting Combine as arguably the top rising star on draft boards. During a Thursday appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” former NFL quarterback and current ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky offered some bold takes regarding Dart’s talent and when the prospect will
Aaron Rodgers Contacted Kevin O’Connell On Vikings Interest
Although the Steelers continue to express confidence Aaron Rodgers will eventually become their next starting quarterback, the four-time MVP is moving toward a fourth week as a free agent. Rodgers threw passes to D.K. Metcalf recently, which would represent a good sign for Pittsburgh’s prospects to close this market. But
Bears signing Case Keenum could aid growth of Caleb Williams
On Thursday evening, the Chicago Bears signed veteran quarterback Case Keenum. Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Keenum inked a one-year deal worth up to $3M. Keenum, 37, has been with the Houston Texans for the last two seasons but spent the 2024 campaign on injured reserve after suffering a foot injury
Mike McDaniel: Zach Wilson was “a direct, calculated target”
The Dolphins signed former No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson to a one-year deal last month to be Tua Tagovailoa’s backup in 2025. At the annual league meeting in Palm Beach this week, head coach Mike McDaniel called Wilson “a direct, calculated target.” “To be quite frank, it’s an inexact
Browns To Hold Additional Meeting With Travis Hunter, Shedeur Sanders; Teams Doubting Cleveland’s Abdul Carter Interest?
Having rostered two players who could end up top-five picks in the draft, Colorado will feature its most notable pro day in ages. The Buffaloes’ top prospects are set to work out Friday in Boulder, and dozens of high-ranking NFL personnel members will be there. Although the Titans are sending
Will Bengals bungle the Trey Hendrickson situation?
The Bengals have managed to sign three of the four players specifically named by quarterback Joe Burrow during his campaign to get the team to break the piggy bank for key members of the roster. The last man standing is defensive end Trey Hendrickson. And the Bengals continue to bungle
Patriots send high-upside backup QB to Cowboys
The Patriots are trading quarterback Joe Milton to the Cowboys, per FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz. Dallas will send one of its fifth-round compensatory picks in April’s draft to New England in exchange for Milton and a seventh-rounder, according to David Moore of the Dallas Morning News. The Patriots received the 171st overall
Kevin Warren: Bears interviewing Eddie George was an example of the Rooney Rule working
When the Bears interviewed Eddie George for their head-coaching vacancy, only to quickly give Ben Johnson the job, questions were raised about whether the interview with George was a sham, making a mockery of the Rooney Rule. To the contrary, Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren says the interview with
Buccaneers Restructure Baker Mayfield’s Contract
Baker Mayfield showed his 2023 resurgence was no fluke, posting career-best numbers last season. The Buccaneers went through with a transaction that reveals confidence in the former No. 1 overall pick being their quarterback beyond 2025. In an effort to create cap space, Tampa Bay has restructured Mayfield’s contract. The
Josh McDaniels: New offense will be an adjustment for Drake Maye, but not a big deal
The Patriots will start their offseason program next week and that will give quarterback Drake Maye his first chance to work with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. McDaniels returned to New England after Mike Vrabel was hired as the head coach and he said in a Thursday press conference that he
NFL Draft intel: Who’s QB1 in the 2026 class?
Each week, Yardbarker monitors the 2025 NFL Draft, scheduled for April 24-26 in Green Bay. This week, however, we’re taking an early look at quarterbacks in the 2026 class. In a story published Tuesday, ESPN/The Ringer contributor Steve Muench gave just two QBs in the 2025 class (Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders
Mark Davis: This is my favorite time of year because we’re undefeated
The Raiders haven’t won a playoff game since 2002, which was their last Super Bowl appearance. The only two seasons they have had a winning record since then — in 2016 and in 2021 — were the only two seasons they have made the postseason the past 22 seasons. It’s
Insider reveals why the Giants are interested in Colorado’s Hunter
The New York Giants have the No. 3 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and they have some very interesting decisions ahead of them as a result. The Giants, coming off a 3-14 season, obviously need all the help they can get, and there is certainly a thought that they
Cardinals sign OL Jake Curhan
The Cardinals have officially added an offensive lineman. Arizona announced on Thursday that the club has signed Jake Curhan to a one-year deal. Curhan, 27, spent last season with the Bears, appearing in 10 games with two starts. He was on the field for 40 percent of the offensive snaps
Minor NFL Transactions: 4/3/25
Thursday’s minor moves: Chicago Bears Washington Commanders Signed: DE T.J. Maguranyanga Maguranyanga is the latest rugby player to join an NFL team as part of a bid to play football professionally. The 22-year-old is Zimbabwean and joins Washington via the International Player Pathway program. At 6-4 and 222 pounds, Maguranyanga will
Reports: Geno Smith’s two-year extension is worth $75 million
The financial terms of the two-year extension that quarterback Geno Smith agreed to with the Raiders were not immediately available on Thursday, but they have now been revealed. According to multiple reports, Smith stands to make $75 million over the two additional years on the contract. Smith is due $31
Packers facing accusation over proposal to ban tush push
The Philadelphia Eagles have made the “tush push” a much-talked-about concept among NFL circles. The play, featuring quarterback Jalen Hurts, is a beefed-up quarterback sneak that sees multiple players lined up behind the quarterback to help push him forward — either for a first down or into the end zone.
Jameis Winston bids farewell to Cleveland in heartfelt message
Jameis Winston played only one season in Cleveland, but it apparently made a lasting impression on him. After the quarterback officially signed his deal with the Giants, Winston wrote a good-bye. He said he was sending his “deepest gratitude” to the city, the team and its fans. “I’m so happy
Latest On Falcons, Kirk Cousins; QB Still Prefers To Be Released
Kirk Cousins is known to be on the trade block, with the Falcons confirming this week their willingness to work out a deal under the right circumstances. Of course, finances will play a major role in determining if an acceptable agreement can be reached. Cousins has already seen his $10MM roster
DeMarvion Overshown sets sights on comeback player of the year
Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown suffered a severe knee injury for the second time in as many years in Week 14 and the timing of the injury cast some doubt about whether he’ll be a contributor for Dallas in 2025. Overshown said in January that he aims to be back on
Buccaneers make multimillion-dollar move with Baker Mayfield
Baker Mayfield showed his 2023 resurgence was no fluke, posting career-best numbers last season. The Buccaneers went through with a transaction that reveals confidence in the former No. 1 overall pick being their quarterback beyond 2025. In an effort to create cap space, Tampa Bay has restructured Mayfield’s contract. The
Case Keenum agrees to terms with the Bears
Free agent quarterback Case Keenum has agreed to a one-year deal worth up to $3 million with the Bears, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. Keenum will help mentor Caleb Williams in Chicago as he did for C.J. Stroud in Houston. Tyson Bagent and Austin Reed are the other quarterbacks on
Titans Aiming To Make WR Addition; CB L’Jarius Sneed Likely To Be Ready For Training Camp
Trading DeAndre Hopkins to the Chiefs before last year’s deadline, the Titans have not re-signed 2024 contributor Tyler Boyd. This has left a void alongside Calvin Ridley, who enters his age-30 season. With Ridley locked in atop Tennessee’s receiving corps, GM Mike Borgonzi acknowledged the team’s deficiency. Thus far, only
At first blush, Geno Smith’s contract isn’t dramatically better than Sam Darnold’s
Remember when the Seahawks pivoted from Geno Smith to Sam Darnold because Smith wanted too much and Darnold was signed for significantly cheaper? Less than a month later, that swap has a much different feel. Although the initial reports of the value of a new contract are almost always flawed
Cardinals won’t regret TE Trey McBride’s record-breaking extension
Tight end Trey McBride earned approximately $5.76M in his first three seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. Now, he’s set to make much more than that. On Thursday, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported the Cardinals made McBride the highest-paid TE in NFL history. He signed a four-year, $76M deal with
Dan Campbell: “We’ll be fine” with new offensive and defensive coordinators
Lions head coach Dan Campbell lost both of his coordinators this offseason, with offensive coordinator Ben Johnson becoming head coach of the Bears and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn becoming head coach of the Jets. But Campbell is not concerned. Campbell acknowledged at the league meeting that “continuity is always good”
Bears To Sign QB Case Keenum
Add another team to Case Keenum‘s extensive NFL ledger. The journeyman backup will be called upon to help mentor another highly drafted young talent. The Bears are signing Keenum to a one-year deal worth up to $3MM, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter tweets. Keenum is coming off a season-long absence in 2024,
Bears sign Miles Boykin, Shaun Wade
The Bears signed wide receiver Miles Boykin and defensive back Shaun Wade on Thursday, according to the NFL’s transactions report. Boykin, 28, was on the Seahawks’ practice squad last season. He has not appeared in a game since 2023 when he was with the Steelers, playing 316 special teams plays