| Congratulations to 85-year-old Brent Musburger. This from Charean Williams: The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced that longtime play-by-play announcer Brent Musburger has won the 2025 Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award. Musburger will receive his award during the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week, which includes the Enshrinees’ Gold Jacket Dinner on Friday, Aug. 1, and the Class of 2025 enshrinement on Saturday, Aug. 2. “The Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award recognizes broadcast excellence in pro football, and Brent Musburger certainly measures up to that standard,” Jim Porter, president and CEO of the Hall of Fame, said. “Brent has entertained and informed generations of fans – across not only pro football but college football, basketball, Little League baseball, golf, tennis and other sports – with insights and some signature phrases that became a trademarked style.” CBS Sports hired Musburger in 1973 as a play-by-play voice. He took over as host of “The NFL Today” in 1975 and held that role until 1990. With Musburger at the helm, the pregame show began an 18-year run as the highest-rated program in its time slot that didn’t end until the program ceased in 1994 with pro football’s move from CBS to FOX. Former NFL defensive back Irv Cross, winner of the 2009 Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award, was among Musburger’s on-air partners on “The NFL Today.” Following his departure from CBS in 1990, Musburger joined ABC Sports and stayed with the network family for 27 years. His broadcast credits there included college football and basketball, World Cup soccer and a stint as a halftime reporter for “Monday Night Football.” After a short hiatus from broadcasting, he returned to the booth as the radio play-by-play voice of the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders for three seasons (2019-21). He also launched his current venture, Vegas Stats & Information Network (VSiN), the first multichannel network dedicated to sports gaming information, where he remains active. Musburger is a member of the Medill Hall of Achievement at Northwestern University. While still in college, he joined the staff of the Chicago American newspaper as a sports writer. His broadcasting career started shortly thereafter, when he joined WBBM Radio in Chicago as sports director. He later was named sports director for WBBM-TV before moving to Los Angeles to co-anchor the nightly news for KNXT-TV. Musburger’s 50-year on-air career includes broadcasts of several NCAA men’s national basketball tournaments — he is credited with coining the phrase “March Madness” — Indianapolis 500 races, U.S. Open and British Open golf tournaments, Little League World Series games, Triple Crown horse races and NASCAR events.– – -John Breech of CBSSports.com with this update on the timing of the 2025 schedule release: The 2025 NFL schedule is going to be released in May and although the exact date isn’t set in stone yet, the league is targeting three certain dates next month with plans to have the schedule out by May 15 at the latest. That information comes from the NFL’s vice president of broadcast planning, Mike North, who did an interview on the It’s Always Gameday in Buffalo podcast this week. During the interview, North was asked if the league had set a date for the schedule release. “Somewhere in the May 13, 14, or 15 range is probably still our target,” North said. That means the schedule will likely be released between Tuesday, May 13 and Thursday, May 15. Although the league is eyeing one of those three dates for this year’s release, North did point out that there’s a small chance that the schedule could actually come out a little bit EARLIER. “No set date because, really, you never know,” North said. “If by some miracle, we’re done on May 7 and we present one to the boss [Roger Goodell] and the commissioner says, ‘Hey, this is perfect, I wouldn’t change a thing, guys.’ We’re done. Pencils down. If so, probably no reason to sit on it.” The NFL used to release the schedule in April, but the league was forced to push it back to May during the 2020 COVID season and it’s been there ever since. “One of the benefits of going a little bit later with the schedule release is getting the chance to see what happens in the draft,” North said. “What do any of us know? I think we kind of have a feel for the top couple of picks.” Besides the draft, North said the schedule-makers will be watching out for a few other things over the next couple of weeks that could impact the schedule from possible trades to where Aaron Rodgers ends up signing. “Are there some trades that are going to happen? Still waiting on a certain future Hall of Fame quarterback to sign somewhere, maybe this year,” North said. “Hopefully a lot of that is known by draft day.” At this point, the most likely scenario for Rodgers is that he signs with the Steelers, but he could also retire. The Steelers host the Packers in 2025, so if Rodgers does sign with Pittsburgh, North and his crew will probably give the game a prominent spot on the schedule. Speaking of the Steelers, they’re one of seven teams that will be sent abroad to host an international game this year. Here’s a look at the seven teams that will be hosting: London: Jaguars (Wembley Stadium) London: Jets (Tottenham Hotspur Stadium) London: Browns (Tottenham Hotspur Stadium) Berlin: Colts (Olympic Stadium) Dublin: Steelers (Croke Park) Madrid: Dolphins (Santiago Bernabéu Stadium) Sao Paulo: Chargers (Corinthians Arena) There are also three other games where the home teams are set in stone for the upcoming season: Week 1 (Sept. 4): Eagles host the Thursday opener Thanksgiving (Nov. 27): Lions and Cowboys will both host a home game |
| NFC EAST |
| DALLASThe Cowboys will have a number “0” on the field this year, for a player whose last name starts with the letter “O”. Chris Cwik of YahooSports.com: The Dallas Cowboys are one of the NFL’s most storied franchises. What other team can claim Jerry Jones, Emmitt Smith, five Super Bowl titles and one of sport’s most iconic logos? Despite a long and successful history, there are still a few records to be broken, though. Linebacker DeMarvion Overshown managed to set one of those Wednesday, becoming the first Cowboys player with a No. 0 jersey. The team confirmed Overshown’s new number Wednesday. Overshown wore No. 13 during the 2024 season, but said he couldn’t pass up an opportunity to change to No. 0 when the NFL’s uniform policy changed. “As soon as they changed the policy where you can now wear No. 0 in the NFL, I just knew it was meant to be,” Overshown said, via the team website. “Being the first one to wear it at Texas, growing up a Longhorn and a Cowboy in the great state of Texas — I wear it as a badge of honor. It’s not too many people that get to say they’re the first to do anything, and to say I’m the first wear No. 0 at Texas and the first to do it in Dallas Cowboys’ history, that’s a badge of honor.” Overshown showed plenty of promise after being selected by the team in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. After sitting out his rookie season due to injury, he registered 90 combined tackles, with 5 sacks and 1 interception in 13 games in 2024. A torn ACL ended his season, and is expected to keep him sidelined for the beginning of the 2025 NFL season. The NFL altered its number policy ahead of the 2023 season. The league previously allowed offensive and defensive linemen to wear the No. 0. With the rule change in 2023, players at other positions could wear the number. Chicago Bears running back D’Andre Swift and Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith were among the first players to adopt the new number. The Cowboys were also expected to have a No. 0 that season. Safety Jayron Kearse was set to don the number for the Cowboys in 2023, but changed to No. 1 before the season started. Kearse left the team after the 2023 NFL season. That opened the door for Overshown to make history. |
| PHILADELPHIAWR TERACE MARSHALL, Jr. couldn’t make it with the Panthers, but the Eagles are giving him a chance. Jared Dubin of CBSSports.com: The Philadelphia Eagles have a new wide receiver, agreeing to terms with former Carolina Panthers and Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. on a one-year deal, per to NFL Media. Marshall, a second-round pick out of LSU back in 2021, spent the first three years of his career with Carolina. He totaled 64 catches for 767 yards and just one score, topping out with a season-long receiving line of 28 grabs for 490 yards and the lone touchdown in 2022. The Panthers released him after training camp last offseason, after which he signed with the San Francisco 49ers practice squad. The Niners kept him on the practice squad from August through October, at which point he was released after not having appeared in a game for San Francisco. The Raiders signed him to their own practice squad a week later. |
| NFC SOUTH |
| CAROLINAHow defensive will the Panthers be during the draft? ESPN.com: The Panthers have nine picks in this draft. What are you hearing on how many they could use to boost the NFL’s worst defense?This won’t be an all-defense draft like Matt Rhule’s in 2020. The Panthers have needs all over the defense, but they want to add an impact wide receiver and depth on the offensive line as well. It is almost a guarantee Carolina will use its first pick — at No. 8 or later in the first round — on a player for the defensive front seven, and I think it’s likely seven of the Panthers’ nine picks will be on defense. — David Newton What we’re hearing about the Panthers’ draft: “Looking at all of [general manager Dan Morgan’s] drafts, early on he loves taking productive players from Power 4 schools,” an AFC South area scout told me. Georgia edge rushers Mykel Williams and Jalon Walker have been linked to the Panthers throughout the predraft process, as both have traits the team has sought in the past. Linebacker is also a priority, as the release of franchise mainstay Shaq Thompson created a void. – Jason Reid |
| TAMPA BAYBuccaneers GM Jason Licht doesn’t think there will be very many trades at this year’s draft. Dan Lyon of SI.com: There are few offseason events as thrilling for an NFL fan base as a big trade up in the draft. Last year’s draft saw nine total trades involving first-round picks, including five completed during the draft itself. Don’t expect this year’s draft to be quite as eventful on the trade front, Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht says. Because of perceived parity across the draft—especially in the middle rounds—Licht doesn’t think believe there’ll be quite the same level of fireworks in this year’s edition. “I do think this year is going to be—I could be wrong—you’re going to see maybe a little less people maybe wanting to move up and offering enough to make it worth your while just because the draft is pretty leveled out at a certain point,” Licht told reporters Thursday. “So you might be able to get the same player in the second round—same level of player—as you can in the fourth round at certain positions, so I think you’ll maybe see a little bit less of that.” A shallower quarterback class could be another contributing factor for a slower trade market this year. Miami’s Cam Ward is believed to be the pick at No. 1 for the Tennessee Titans, but Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders is the only other quarterback believed to be close to a first-round lock. Other players like Ole Miss’s Jaxson Dart and Alabama’s Jalen Milroe could be in the mix at the back-end of the first-round but that’s far from a guarantee. Licht says he appreciates the deep, “leveled out” draft, as Tampa Bay has had success finding significant contributors in the middle rounds in recent years. |
| NFC WEST |
| SAN FRANCISCOJoel Corry of CBSSports.com looks at QB BROCK PURDY’s contract negotiations: The San Francisco 49ers’ biggest piece of offseason business is trying to get quarterback Brock Purdy signed to a contract extension. Purdy indicated at the end of the 2024 regular season in early January that he would like a new deal done sooner rather than later. He pointed to the start of the offseason workout program, which begins on April 22, as a target date. General manager John Lynch didn’t rule out a quick resolution when meeting with the media last week at the NFL’s annual meeting although he didn’t give an exact timetable. He expressed confidence that negotiations wouldn’t be protracted because “there’s motivation on both sides” to reach an agreement. That would be a major departure from San Francisco’s recent history with key players who are in the final year of a rookie contract like Purdy is. Contract drama has become a way of life for the 49ers. Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan say the right things shortly after the season ends but negotiations with these players have a tendency to become acrimonious even when they shouldn’t. The easiest case should have been edge rusher Nick Bosa in 2023. Even Stevie Wonder could have seen that Bosa was going to become the league’s highest-paid non-quarterback by a good margin after being named 2022’s NFL Defensive Player of the Year when his agent did the same thing three years earlier for his less accomplished brother, Joey. Bosa held out until he signed a five-year, $170 million contract extension, averaging $34 million per year, right before the start of the 2023 regular season. The deal had then-non-quarterback records of $122.5 million in overall guarantees and $88 million was fully guaranteed at signing. Once the Miami Dolphins gave Jaylen Waddle a three-year, $84.75 million extension, averaging $28.25 million per year, making him the NFL’s highest-paid No. 2 wide receiver last May, there was no chance Brandon Aiyuk, who has been Purdy’s favorite target, would sign for less than that. Aiyuk bears some responsibility for his training camp hold-in in being more eventful than Bosa’s holdout. He kept expressing his frustrations with negotiations on social media and requested a trade like wide receiver Deebo Samuel did in 2022 before signing an extension during the early part of training camp. Aiyuk was almost traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers prior to signing a four-year, $120 million extension, averaging $30 million per year, a little more than a week before San Francisco’s regular-season opener last Sept. 9. The 49ers were also contending with perennial All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams’ holdout. His situation was resolved with a renegotiated contract a couple days after Aiyuk signed. A more realistic ambitious timetable for signing Purdy might be by May 27 when San Francisco begins phase three of offseason workouts. The 10 days of organized team activities can start being held where 11-on-11 drills are permitted. The 49ers shouldn’t be surprised if Purdy is absent from offseason workouts as long as he doesn’t have a new deal. There was a report during early March that the 49ers made a $45 million-per-year offer to Purdy, which has been disputed. Assuming an offer in this ballpark was initially made, the 49ers are going to have to substantially up the ante to get a deal done with Purdy at all, let alone in a timely fashion. The first problem the 49ers are going to have is getting Purdy’s camp to understand why Purdy should be treated worse than an inexperienced Jimmy Garoppolo since Purdy has done a lot more than Garoppolo ever did when he signed his contract. Garoppolo briefly became the league’s highest-paid player in 2018 after just a handful of good starts, following his 2017 midseason trade from the New England Patriots several months earlier. The five-year, $137.5 million deal, averaging $27.5 million per year, Garoppolo signed in February 2018 a couple days after Super Bowl LII was 1.85% more than the five-year extension, averaging $27 million per year, Matthew Stafford received from the Detroit Lions at the beginning of the previous September. Garoppolo had an expiring contract while Purdy is in a contract year. The 49ers would likely characterize the Garoppolo deal as getting ahead of the market although Garoppolo was a largely unproven commodity. Just over a month later, Kirk Cousins replaced Garoppolo as the NFL’s highest-paid player on the fully guaranteed three-year, $84 million contract, averaging $28 million per year, he signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an unrestricted free agent. By the time the 2018 regular season started, Garoppolo was fourth in the NFL salary rankings thanks to Aaron Rodgers and Matt Ryan signing respective four- and five-year extensions with the Green Bay Packers and Atlanta Falcons. Purdy is the best quarterback Shanahan has had during the eight seasons he has been the 49ers’ head coach. Since becoming San Francisco’s starting quarterback in 2022 during the latter part of his rookie season, Purdy has the NFL’s best passer rating at 106.2 as well as a league-leading 9.0 yards per pass attempt and 13.3 yards per completion (minimum of 500 pass attempts for these categories). Purdy was an NFL MVP finalist in 2023 after completing 69.4% of his passes for a 49ers franchise-record 4,280 yards with 31 touchdowns and 11 interceptions to post an NFL-leading 113.0 passer rating. The 49ers were defeated by the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship game when Purdy was a rookie. He was sidelined with an elbow injury during San Francisco’s first offensive series of the game. The 49ers suffered a 25-22 overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII during the 2023 season. It was a different story for Purdy and the 49ers in 2024. The 49ers had a disappointing 6-11 record and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2020. Purdy had a career-low 65.9 completion percentage and career-low 96.1 passer rating. He also threw a career-high 12 interceptions in 15 games. There were mitigating factors. Injuries depleted the offense as 2023’s NFL Offensive Player of the Year Christian McCaffrey, who is the NFL’s best dual-threat running back when healthy, was limited to four games. Aiyuk was lost seven games into the season after tearing the ACL and MCL in his right knee. Williams only played 10 games because of an ankle injury. There are currently 10 quarterbacks with deals averaging $50 million per year or more, ranging from Jalen Hurts’ $51 million per year with the Super Bowl LIX champion Eagles to Dak Prescott’s $60 million per year from the Dallas Cowboys. Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, Trevor Lawrence and Jordan Love are right behind Prescott on the quarterback salary totem pole with $55 million-per-year deals, respectively, from the Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, Jacksonville Jaguars and Packers. Next are Miami Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa ($53.1 million), Detroit Lions’ Jared Goff ($53 million), Los Angeles Chargers’ Justin Herbert ($52.5 million) and Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson ($52 million). Herbert has yet to win in two trips to the postseason in four NFL seasons. He is coming off a disastrous four-interception wild-card playoff game loss to the Houston Texans last season. Tagovailoa missed the playoffs in 2024, like Purdy, and is winless in his lone postseason appearance. More concerning is Tagovailoa’s lack of durability because of multiple concussions. Lawrence is living off his pedigree as 2021’s first overall pick. He has regressed since seemingly turning the corner during a sophomore campaign where the Jaguars won a wild-card playoff game over Herbert’s Chargers, which was Jacksonville’s last trip to the postseason. Love got his contract at the start of training camp last July as a one-year starter on the strength of an impressive second half of the 2023 regular season and playoffs. The Packers lost to the 49ers in the divisional playoffs. One thing these quarterbacks have in common is each was a first-round pick. All but Love were taken at or near the top of the NFL Draft. Love was selected 26th overall in 2020. Purdy is at the opposite end of the spectrum. He was Mr. Irrelevant, selected last in the 2022 NFL Draft. My experience as an agent was a first-round pick was more likely to get the benefit of doubt in an extension of a rookie contract than a late-round pick or undrafted free agent. Given this quarterback salary landscape, the 49ers are operating in bad faith if the offer on the table to Purdy isn’t at a minimum $50 million per year. At the very least, the 49ers should be willing to put Purdy at the same place in the quarterback salary hierarchy Colin Kaepernick was when he signed his six-year extension in June 2014. At $19 million per year, Kaepernick became the NFL’s sixth-highest-paid upon signing. Doing the same for Purdy would be somewhere between Tagovailoa’s $53.1 million per year and the logjam at $55 million per year. The extensions for Tagovailoa, Lawrence, Love and Herbert averaged 20.79% to 23.35% of the salary cap when signed. Tagovailoa’s deal, adjusted for the 9.32% increase in the salary cap from 2023 when he received his extension, is just over $58 million per year. The latest data point in the quarterback market in Allen’s six-year, $330 million deal. The Bills renegotiated Allen’s contract although he had four years worth $154,554,595 remaining on the six-year, $258 million extension, averaging $43 million per year (worth a maximum of $288 million through incentives), he signed in 2021. It’s extremely unusual for a team to effectively rip up a contract with four years left like the Bills did. The maximum value of the deal is worth $333 million because of a $500,000 annual incentive for winning the Super Bowl. The contract has an NFL-record $250 million of guarantees. The $147 million fully guaranteed at signing is second-most ever in an NFL contract. Allen was clearly focused on cash flow as opposed to maximizing the average yearly salary. His $220 million from 2025 through 2028 is the best four-year cash flow ever in an NFL contract. It surpassed the previous high of $219 million (2024 through 2027) in Prescott’s four-year, $240 million extension signed last September that made him the NFL’s first $60 million-per-year player. Being the reigning NFL MVP should have given Allen enough ammunition to not only become the cash-flow king but also the league’s highest-paid player instead of being in a tie for second. The 49ers will likely view Allen’s $55 million as Purdy’s salary ceiling. It isn’t an apples-to-apples comparison because Allen’s was a renegotiation rather than contract extension. Purdy’s situation is much more analogous to Goff, Hurts, Love, Prescott and Tagovailoa, who were in contract years when signing new deals. There is a school of thought that the 49ers should only do a deal in 2025 on their terms because of the ability to keep Purdy off the open market for up to three years with franchise tags. That approach could be a double-edged sword. Trying to win the deal backfired for the Washington Commanders with Cousins. Lowballing Cousins on the first franchise tag in 2016 led to Cousins refusing to engage in serious negotiations on the second franchise tag in 2017 after preliminary contract discussions weren’t productive because free agency was going to be imminent since a third franchise tag was going to be too cost prohibitive. The 2026 non-exclusive franchise tag for quarterbacks projects to 14.576% of the 2026 salary cap. It’s 14.413% in 2025. If the 2026 salary cap is set at $302.5 million, an 8.35% increase over 2025’s $279.2 million salary cap, the quarterback figure should be $44.092 million. A second franchise tag in 2027 at a NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement-mandated 20% increase over Purdy’s projected 2026 number would be $52,910,400. A third and final franchise tag with a 44% increase over the 2027 cost projects to $76,190,976. Purdy would be positioned to test the open market in 2028 after making just over $97 million on two franchise tags (approximately $48.5 million per year). The hardest part for Purdy under this scenario would be playing out his rookie contract for his $5.346 million 2025 salary on a $5,365,253 cap number. The $5.346 million is well below Purdy’s market value but is still a substantial raise for him. The $2,637,012 Purdy has made during the first three years of his rookie contract (2022 through 2024) is a little less than half this amount. At some point while going year to year, the 49ers would run the risk of being in the Bay Area long term taking a backseat for Purdy where he embraces the franchise tag game and potential freedom. If Purdy is given a franchise tag in 2026 because he played out his rookie contract, he should wait for new developments in the quarterback market. Jackson is going to reset the quarterback market on his next contract, according to Ravens head coach Jim Harbaugh. A Jackson extension this year can’t be dismissed. The more likely timing is next offseason when his salary cap number balloons to $74.5 million in 2026. The Texans are proactive in signing core first-round picks. Derek Stingley Jr. recently took the cornerback market to new heights by becoming the NFL’s first $30 million-per-year defensive back after his third NFL season and 2023 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud will be eligible for a contract extension once the 2025 regular season ends next Jan. 4. Any extension Stroud signs in 2026 will likely eclipse Prescott’s $60 million per year. Lynch said in January right after the 49ers’ season ended that he wanted Purdy to be the quarterback as long he was with the organization. Shanahan said at the same time that the 49ers are capable of winning a Super Bowl with Purdy. If Shanahan’s statement was sincere and a belief throughout the organization, then a deal shouldn’t be that hard to do like 49ers owner Jed York said last week at the league’s annual meeting. The 49ers should probably take Super Bowl XXXVII-winning head coach Jon Gruden’s words about the quarterback situation to heart during the negotiations but probably won’t. “He’s covered their ass man. They gave up three first-round draft choices to get a guy (Trey Lance) they got rid of. … And this guy’s (Purdy) the last pick of the draft. He’s taken you to the Super Bowl. He’s taken you to the brink,” Gruden said in New Orleans ahead of Super Bowl LIX. “He deserves to get paid and I’ll just leave it at that.” Lynch may very well have gone back to broadcasting NFL games like he was before joining the 49ers or might be the football general manager at Stanford, his alma mater, instead of Andrew Luck without Purdy emerging. A disaster at quarterback could have cost Shanahan his job where he’s an offensive coordinator trying to put himself in a position to get his second NFL head coaching job. The 49ers probably don’t have to worry about Purdy holding out, like Bosa did in 2023, if he doesn’t have a new deal by the start of training camp during the latter part of July. Purdy wouldn’t get a year of service for free agency, which is an accrued season in the CBA, if he didn’t report to training camp on time regardless of how many 2025 regular-season games he subsequently played. With an unsuccessful holdout where Purdy plays out his rookie contract, he would be a restricted free agent in 2026. From a practical standpoint, the 49ers would likely designate Purdy as a franchise player anyway. Putting a first-round restricted free agent tender on Purdy would likely invite an offer sheet from another team. The 49ers would get a first-round pick as compensation if the offer sheet wasn’t matched. The compensation for declining to match an offer sheet with a non-exclusive franchise tag is two first-round picks. Increased draft choices would also be much more of a deterrent to an offer sheet. |
| AFC NORTH |
| CINCINNATIAn update on the Bengals and their relationship with Hamilton County. Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com: After an extended period of tension between the Bengals and Hamilton County, Ohio, the two sides are working together. In one specific way. Via WLWT.com, the team and the county have made a joint request for $350 million in state money that would be devoted to renovations of Paycor Stadium. The submission came a day after the Ohio House of Representatives passed a budget that includes a $600 million bond issuance that would help pay for a new stadium for the Cleveland Browns. The total renovation of Paycor Stadium would cost $830 million — roughly a third of the cost of the new stadium the Browns hope to build in suburban Brook Park. The team’s contribution is not specified in the report. The length of a new lease that would tied to a renovation also was not specified. The Cincinnati stadium opened in 2000, one year after the Cleveland stadium that the Browns hope to replace in lieu of renovation. The stakes are high. Absent a new deal — and unless the Bengals exercise an option to extend the current lease by June 30 — the Bengals’ lease will expire before the 2026 season. Last week, Bengals executive V.P. Katie Blackburn acknowledged that, “[w]e could, I guess, go wherever we wanted after this year.” It’s obviously not that simple. The Bengals would have to contend with Ohio’s Art Modell Law, which requires professional sports teams to give local groups a chance to buy the franchise in lieu of relocation. Also, the NFL’s owners would need to approve relocation with 24 of 32 teams allowing it. Still. it looks as if the Bengals and Hamilton County have made real progress toward striking a deal. The question now becomes whether the public money can be secured. |
| CLEVELANDThe Browns let QB JOE FLACCO walk after 2023 despite his becoming a Cleveland folk hero and the people’s choice. Now, he is back. Stephen Douglas of SI.com: The Cleveland Browns have signed Joe Flacco according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Flacco, who went 4-1 as the Browns starter in 2023, returns to Cleveland on a one-year deal for $4 million. Incentives could add another $9 million to that total. Flacco, 40, was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in 2008 and started immediately. He helped carry the franchise to a Super Bowl victory in his fifth season. After spending the first 11 seasons of his career in Baltimore, he’s bounced around the league sharing starting duties for the Denver Broncos, New York Jets, Browns and most recently, the Indianapolis Colts. With Anthony Richardson injured last season Flacco appeared in eight games for Indianapolis and the team went 2-4 in games he started. He completed 65% of his passes in Indianapolis and threw 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions. The year before that, he played well enough in his one season with Cleveland that people wanted the Browns to keep him and get rid of Deshaun Watson, who is still on the roster today and recently vowed to come back better than ever this season. The team also recently signed former Steelers and Eagles quarterback Kenny Pickett, who they have already told would have a chance to win the starting role. On top of the three veteran quarterbacks who are now on the roster, the Browns are set to make the No. 2 pick in the upcoming draft so who knows who will be the starting quarterback in September. Mike Florio with more on the contract: Joe Flacco is back in Cleveland. The minimum deal is $4 million. The maximum deal is $13 million. The more likely outcome lands in between those two extremes. Per a source with knowledge of the terms, Flacco will make $6 million if he’s the 2025 starter and if the Browns don’t make it to the postseason. If he’s the starter and the Browns do make it to the postseason, he’ll make $8 million. To get to $13 million, certain unrealistic things new to happen. Including, most unrealistically, Flacco must be named the All-Pro quarterback. Flacco was never the All-Pro quarterback, even when he won Super Bowl MVP. Or when he was the highest-paid player in the NFL. Twice. So he won’t get to $13 million. But he will have a job in 2025, back with a team he helped get to the playoffs in 2023. He’s made plenty of money during his career. At this point, he simply wants to keep playing football. He’ll get the chance to do it again, in Cleveland. |
| AFC SOUTH |
| HOUSTONA three-year extension for S JALEN PITRE. Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com: The Texans have locked up another member of their secondary. Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that safety Jalen Pitre has agreed to a contract extension with the team. It is a three-year, $39 million deal with over $29 million in guarantees. The Texans signed cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. to an extension earlier this year. Stingley was a first-round pick in 2022 and Pitre joined the Texans as a second-rounder. Pitre has started all 46 regular season and playoff games he’s played since entering the league. That includes 12 starts last season before a torn pectoral sidelined him for the rest of the year. Pitre has 296 tackles, six interceptions, 21 passes defensed, a sack, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries as a member of the Texans. |
| INDIANAPOLISThe Colts will have a new kicker this year. Stephen Holder of ESPN.com: The Colts on Thursday moved on from kicker Matt Gay, releasing the highly paid veteran two years into a four-year contract. Gay arrived in Indianapolis in 2023 as a free agent to much fanfare after winning a Super Bowl and making a Pro Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams. The Colts lured him to Indianapolis with a four-year deal worth $22.5 million, at the time the most lucrative contract given to a free agent kicker. But the move never truly paid off for the Colts, with Gay converting just 82.1% of his field goal attempts (64 of 78) during the past two seasons — including a shocking 50% success rate on attempts of 50 yards or longer (11 of 22). Before his time with the Colts, Gay converted 17 of 23 attempts from 50 yards and beyond (74%), including 12 of 15 in three years with the Rams. Gay, 31, battled injuries at times during the past two seasons, including a hernia that required surgery during the 2024 preseason. Gay returned in Week 2 and said his health was not a factor in his struggles. “Kicking is very, very mental,” Gay said. “I’ve been very good from 50-plus in my career, and I have full confidence going forward that I can make these kicks. I’ve shown that I can do that.” At the same time, the Colts seemed to echo that confidence in Gay. Coach Shane Steichen, asked repeatedly about his kicker, stuck with him. “Matt’s our kicker,” he said in October. “He’s been doing it for a long time … He knows he’s got to make those going forward, but he is our kicker.” The Colts signed kicker Spencer Shrader last month. He was 5-for-5 on field goal attempts during his rookie season in 2024, spending time with three teams, including the Colts. The Colts have found it challenging to find kicking consistency since enjoying 14 seasons with three-time All-Pro kicker Adam Vinatieri. He last kicked for the team in 2019, and Indianapolis has cycled through numerous kickers in the intervening seasons. A fifth-round pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2019, Gay has a career success rate of 85.5% on field goal attempts (165 of 193) and 96.3% on PAT attempts (206 of 214). So, if we read this correctly, Gay was 53-56 over the last two seasons as a Colt from under 50. Of the 27 kickers with 40+ FG under 50, his 94.6% accuracy ranks 5th. So under 50, he’s been perfectly fine. But Holder says 50% (11-22) from 50+ is “shocking”, presumably in a bad way. There are 25 kickers who were asked to try 10+ 50-yard FGs in the last two years. At 50%, Gay ranks tied for next to last with Jake Moody of SF (6-12). Justin Tucker (?!?!?!) is last at 44%. There are a total of six kickers under 60% including Jake Elliott of the Eagles and Evan McPherson of the Bengals. The NFL average for 50-54 is 75% in that span. Gay is 8-13 (62%). He is 3-9 from 55+ with no one attempting more 55+ FGs in that span. So as a Colt, Gay was very good on kicks under 50. Counting PATs, he made 121 of 125 kicks. We would say well above average for 54 and under = 129-138 (93%). It was the 9 kicks from 55+ that where he didn’t make 5 or 6, but only 3, that got him cut. So maybe it was the high pay, we didn’t study kickoffs – but in bulk, he really was a pretty good kicker for the Colts. |
| JACKSONVILLEThis at ESPN.com: What is the best-case scenario for the Jaguars at No. 5?Travis Hunter somehow being on the board, which would send the Jaguars sprinting to the podium. That’s highly unlikely, and it would depend on the Patriots bypassing Hunter for an offensive tackle at No. 4. But the Jaguars could benefit from Hunter’s entire skill set. They could start him at cornerback and give him an offensive package that grows as he becomes more comfortable. Hunter and Brian Thomas Jr. on the field at the same time, along with an improved interior offensive line from free agency, would help meet the team’s top offseason goal: fixing things around quarterback Trevor Lawrence. — Michael DiRocco What we’re hearing about the Jaguars’ draft: New general manager James Gladstone comes from the Rams, who have used high-round picks to bolster the trenches in recent years. So there’s an expectation that the Jaguars will take defensive tackle Mason Graham at No. 5, but it’s not as set in stone as one might think. I had a conversation with a scout recently who told me not to rule out an offensive lineman as a potential Jags first-round pick. – Matt Miller |
| TENNESSEETurron Davenport and Matt Miller of ESPN.com with a look at the Titans after they take QB CAM WARD with the first pick: If the Titans draft a QB at No. 1, how could they support him over the rest of the draft?The Titans already addressed the offensive line in free agency, adding veterans in left tackle Dan Moore Jr. and guard Kevin Zeitler. They could best support a first-round quarterback by turning their attention to wide receiver, where they signed only free agent Van Jefferson and lost Nick Westbrook-Ikhine. This is an unproven group outside of Calvin Ridley, and it could see a boost, especially if one of the projected first-round receivers is available early in the second round. — Turron Davenport What we’re hearing about the Titans’ draft: All signs point to Cam Ward (Miami) being the pick at No. 1, so the thing to watch is what the Titans will do on Day 2. They’re lacking a third-round pick due to the L’Jarius Sneed trade last offseason and need a receiver to complement Ridley. Expect Tennessee to be aggressive in adding a wideout, possibly with a trade up from No. 35 to target a player such as Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State) or Luther Burden III (Missouri). — Miller |
| AFC EAST |
| BUFFALO |
| MIAMI |
| NEW ENGLAND |
| NEW YORK JETSVeteran WR ALLEN LAZARD will remain a Jet at a reduced salary. Rich Cimini of ESPN.com: The New York Jets’ offseason purge has claimed quarterback Aaron Rodgers and his most prolific wide receiver, Davante Adams, but one member of the old Green Bay Packers gang is sticking around. Ending months of speculation, wide receiver Allen Lazard agreed to a significant pay cut to remain with the Jets, sources confirmed to ESPN on Thursday. Lazard was thought to be a goner due to his $11 million base salary (nonguaranteed) for 2025, but the two sides restructured the contract after several weeks of discussions. His new base salary is $2.25 million, and he can earn an additional $250,000 with game-by-game roster bonuses. In exchange, the Jets guaranteed $1.75 million of his base pay and voided the final year of his contract (2026), allowing Lazard to become a free agent after the season. The move reduces Lazard’s 2025 cap charge from $13.2 million to $4.6 million. There is an additional $4.4 million “dead” charge in 2026. Over the Cap first reported the new agreement. In early March, Lazard was given permission to seek a trade but found no takers. General manager Darren Mougey said March 30 at the NFL annual league meeting that the two sides were in talks on a revised deal. “Listen, anytime you have a player of that magnitude, he’s a really good blocker,” coach Aaron Glenn said last week. “I [coached] against him a number of times when he was in Green Bay, so I know what he brings to the table.” |
| THIS AND THAT |
| 2025 DRAFTWR ISAIAH BOND, thought to be a top 75 selection in three weeks, has surrendered to police in the Dallas area. ESPN.com: Former Texas wide receiver and NFL draft prospect Isaiah Bond turned himself in on an outstanding sexual assault warrant Thursday morning, the Frisco (Texas) Police Department confirmed to ESPN. Bond was subsequently released after posting bail. Details of the allegations against Bond weren’t immediately known. In a statement posted to Instagram, Bond said the accusation against him is “patently false.” “Regarding the accusation made against me, I would appreciate the time and opportunity to defend myself and prove the claims made, patently false. I am in full cooperation with the authorities and will remain a willing and active participant in the investigation,” he said in the statement. “Unfortunately, claims like these prove to be harmful to all involved, absent full review. I kindly request that all reserve judgement until the authorities provide a complete report based on truth and evidence.” Bond was projected as a second-round draft pick, No. 57 overall, to the Carolina Panthers in ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr.’s most recent mock draft. In his lone season at Texas in 2024, Bond caught 34 passes for 540 yards and five touchdowns. He rushed for an additional 98 yards and a touchdown. He spent his first two seasons at Alabama, catching 65 passes for 888 yards and five touchdowns for the Crimson Tide. Known for his speed, he was clocked at 22 mph during Texas’ victory over UTSA last season. He ran a 4.39 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine.– – -Today’s Mock Draft comes from Rhett Lewis of NFL.com: Mock drafts can be many things: what you think should happen; what you’re hearing will happen; and, perhaps, what you’d like to happen for entertainment value. I would say this mock combines all three of those inspirations for the 32-pick projection that will undoubtedly satisfy every fan base and be met with universal approval. Oh, and for the first time in my mock-drafting career, I’m shaking things up with a trade! 1 Tennessee Cam WardMiami · QB · SeniorThis is the direction in which things have been trending since the NFL Scouting Combine — only more so since the Titans contingent descended on Cam’s pro day workout at Miami. The best QB in the class goes No. 1 and brings excitement back to Tennessee’s offense. 2 Las Vegas PROJECTED TRADE WITH CLEVELAND Travis HunterColorado · WR/CB · JuniorI’ve never made a mock trade before this one, but we’ve never seen a player like Hunter, who registers as the draft’s top prospect at both receiver and cornerback. It just so happens that those two positions are two of the Raiders’ biggest needs, so they aggressively move up to secure a two-for-one with this pick. 3 NY GiantsAbdul CarterPenn State · Edge · JuniorSure, the Giants spent substantial draft capital in the trade for Brian Burns last year and the selection of Kayvon Thibodeaux at No. 5 overall in 2022. But in keeping the Eagles’ championship formula in focus, you can never have too many high-quality defensive linemen, and Carter is the best in this class. 4 New England Will CampbellLSU · OT · JuniorUpgrading the offensive line and protecting Drake Maye should be of the highest priority for the Patriots. Mike Vrabel apparently isn’t hung up on Campbell’s suboptimal arm length, and the LSU tackle could immediately become New England’s best O-lineman. 5 Jacksonville Mason GrahamMichigan · DT · JuniorA popular mock draft projection, this Graham-Jags pairing certainly makes sense. And it really hits home when you think about new GM James Gladstone’s background with the Rams, as he saw firsthand how L.A.’s defense was transformed by the recent selections of Kobie Turner, Jared Verse, Byron Young and Braden Fiske. 6 Cleveland PROJECTED TRADE WITH LAS VEGAS Ashton JeantyBoise State · RB · JuniorThe Browns absolutely could entertain a QB here, but a game-changing RB like Jeanty would help Kenny Pickett (or, perhaps, Kirk Cousins if a trade with Atlanta comes to fruition) in the near term and ease the transition for a rookie quarterback down the road. 7 NY JetsArmand MembouMissouri · OT · JuniorI thought long and hard about slotting tight end Tyler Warren here … but kept coming back to the Lions’ model for upward mobility during Aaron Glenn’s time in Detroit. In 2021, the Lions drafted OT Penei Sewell, who ultimately helped turn Detroit’s O-line into one of the best units in the league, keying the team’s offensive explosion. Membou could provide a similar boost to the Jets as a player with even higher upside than Will Campbell. 8 Carolina Jalon WalkerGeorgia · Edge/LB · JuniorThe Panthers have yet to truly replace Brian Burns, and Walker is one of the most explosive pass rushers in this draft. The winner of last season’s Butkus Award as college football’s top linebacker, Walker could also offer value on the second level alongside Josey Jewell and Trevin Wallace. 9 New Orleans Shedeur SandersColorado · QB · SeniorThere’s definitely been some smoke regarding the Saints taking a quarterback in this draft. In this simulation, the second-best signal-caller in the class falls right into their lap at No. 9. At some point, New Orleans has to start planning for the future; snagging a talented prospect with a reasonable price tag at the league’s most premium position could be a coup. 10 Chicago BearsTyler WarrenPenn State · TE · SeniorI can hear Bears fans now: “But we have Cole Kmet!!” I get it, but the value here for one of the top five players in this draft might be too much to pass up. Warren’s versatile skill set could really exercise the creativity of new head coach Ben Johnson. Penn State OC Andy Kotelnicki certainly had fun utilizing the talented tight end in unique ways last season. 11 San Francisco 49ersJosh SimmonsOhio State · OT · Junior (RS)If not for the patellar tendon injury suffered last fall, Simmons likely would be the top tackle in this draft. With Brock Purdy’s contract extension looming and Trent Williams turning 37 in July, Simmons provides future LT security at the bargain rate of a rookie contract. 12 Dallas Matthew GoldenTexas · WR · JuniorThe Cowboys need a Robin to CeeDee Lamb’s Batman, and while Golden takes a back seat to no one in this receiver class, it’s quite enticing to imagine the Texas product riding shotgun in Dallas. The pick also further supports the franchise’s massive investment in Dak Prescott. 13 Miami Grey ZabelNorth Dakota State · IOL · SeniorIn the wake of Terron Armstead’s retirement, Zabel could quickly become the Dolphins’ best offensive lineman. He can play all five positions, but projects more as an interior blocker in the NFL. The North Dakota State stud should be an immediate plug-and-play starter. 14 Indianapolis Will JohnsonMichigan · CB · JuniorJohnson is a complicated evaluation: His 2024 season was abbreviated by a foot injury, and a hamstring issue has curtailed his pre-draft process. It reminds me of Derek Stingley Jr.’s situation a few years ago. Each corner had fantastic tape early in college before experiencing an injury-plagued junior season, muddying the prospect profile. Johnson could follow Stingley’s path to stardom, as the latter just earned first-team All-Pro honors. 15 Atlanta Shemar StewartTexas A&M · Edge · JuniorThe Falcons have essentially had a “HELP WANTED” sign on the edges since Vic Beasley randomly led the league in sacks back in 2016. Consequently, Atlanta adds the freakiest athlete in this edge-rushing class and looks to turn his elite traits into better sack production. 16 Arizona Kenneth GrantMichigan · DT · JuniorA fit in Jonathan Gannon’s system, Grant could offer higher upside than Michigan teammate Mason Graham, who came off the board 11 picks earlier in this exercise. The recently signed Calais Campbell would be an excellent role model for Grant in the Valley. 17 Cincinnati Mykel WilliamsGeorgia · Edge · JuniorIn case of Trey Hendrickson emergency, break glass. If the league’s reigning sack king is indeed moved out of Cincinnati via trade, this is a spot where the Bengals should entertain another pass rusher, especially with Sam Hubbard having already retired this offseason. Williams is a traits-heavy prospect who needs to develop his skills in order to achieve higher-level productivity. 18 Seattle Tyler BookerAlabama · OG · JuniorAfter investing in Sam Darnold during free agency, the Seahawks’ top priority should be enhancing the new quarterback’s comfortability. In a draft where many top offensive linemen are college tackles who project as NFL guards, Booker is a pure interior player who can provide what Seattle needs. 19 Tampa Bay Jihaad CampbellAlabama · LB · JuniorThe latest in a long line of top-level ‘Bama ‘backers, Campbell is the best player at the position in this draft — and he boasts premium pass-rush skills, as well. Tampa Bay gave Lavonte David another one-year deal in March; Campbell would benefit from his tutelage and give the Bucs a long-term replacement for one of the best players in franchise history. 20 Denver Omarion HamptonNorth Carolina · RB · JuniorHampton is an aggressive, downhill back with an explosive running style. The Broncos are one of the most RB-needy teams in the league. This makes a ton of sense if the UNC product is still on the board at No. 20. 21 Pittsburgh Jaxson DartMississippi · QB · SeniorRegardless of whether the Steelers ultimately sign Aaron Rodgers, this selection could give the franchise a long-term answer at QB. Dart broke Eli Manning’s record for career passing yards at Ole Miss and is in line with today’s NFL QB archetype: someone who can win with his arm from the pocket while also possessing enough athleticism to make plays on the ground when needed. 22 LA ChargersColston LovelandMichigan · TE · JuniorThe Jim Harbaugh/Michigan connection is obvious, but tight end is a need regardless — and Loveland is well worth the pick at No. 22. 23 Green Bay Jahdae BarronTexas · CB · SeniorWith uncertainty surrounding CB Jaire Alexander’s future with the team, the Packers get a major value here in Barron, who has excelled both outside and in the slot. 24 Minnesota Nick EmmanworiSouth Carolina · S · JuniorWith franchise fixture Harrison Smith seemingly heading into a swan-song season at age 36, this almost feels too perfect. Emmanwori is an elite athlete with the explosive skills, versatility and size to become a valuable chess piece in Brian Flores’ diverse defensive scheme. 25 Houston Kelvin Banks Jr.Texas · OL · JuniorRekindling Houston’s offensive success from C.J. Stroud’s rookie campaign hinges greatly on rebuilding a wall in front of the young quarterback, especially after the trade of Pro Bowl LT Laremy Tunsil. With veteran Cam Robinson signed as a one-year stopgap at left tackle, Banks could begin his Texans career at guard before eventually taking over on the blind side. 26 LA RamsMalaki StarksGeorgia · S · JuniorStarks did not impress with his testing numbers at the combine, but everything else in his draft profile screams future Pro Bowler. Safety doesn’t feel like a screaming need for the Rams, but we’re at the point where Starks’ value is too good to pass up. 27 Baltimore Donovan JacksonOhio State · OG · SeniorThe Ravens could go anywhere with this pick, but after the free agency departure of utility man Patrick Mekari (who kicked into guard last season), Jackson would give Baltimore a great option as a replacement. At worst, this builds depth along the offensive line, which is what good teams do. 28 Detroit Mike GreenMarshall · Edge · Junior (RS)Finding another legitimate edge rusher opposite Aidan Hutchinson is still on the checklist for the Lions, and nobody in major college football got to the quarterback more than Green in 2024 (SEE: FBS-best 17 sacks). 29 Washington Donovan EzeiruakuBoston College · Edge · SeniorEzeiruaku fell just shy of Mike Green with 16.5 sacks last season; fittingly, the Boston College product comes off the board right behind his Marshall counterpart in this exercise, giving the Commanders a bona fide pass-rush presence. Ezeiruaku is on the smaller side for a true NFL defensive end, but Dan Quinn will get the most out of his abilities. 30 Buffalo Maxwell HairstonKentucky · CB · Junior (RS)Hairston has a well-rounded draft profile: He led the SEC in Interceptions in 2023, had an excellent practice week at the Senior Bowl and ran a 4.28 40-yard dash at the combine. A sticky cover corner with excellent ball skills, this Kentucky product feels like a good fit opposite freshly paid stud Christian Benford in Buffalo. 31 Kansas City Tetairoa McMillanArizona · WR · JuniorWould the Chiefs consider spending their first-round pick on a receiver for a second consecutive draft? Maybe not, but McMillan offers a body type and skill set Patrick Mahomes has never really had at his disposal. And upgrading the playmakers around No. 15 is never a bad idea. 32 Philadelphia Walter NolenMississippi · DT · JuniorPhilly’s drafting dominance along the defensive line continues with the selection of Nolen, who furthers the Eagles’ tradition of stockpiling at positions of strength, reinforcing their championship formula. |
