| The power of the NFL: MLFootball🚨🚨THIS IS INSANE🚨🚨 MORE PEOPLE WATCHED THE #NFL HALL OF FAME PRESEASON GAME THAN THE AVERAGE NBA PLAYOFF GAME. Hall of Fame Game: 6.9 million NBA Playoffs: 4.5 million viewers THE NFL IS THE UNDISPUTED KING. And now they own 10% of ESPN as the deal for NFL Network is officially announced: ESPN, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS), and the National Football League (NFL) today announced a non-binding agreement under which ESPN will acquire NFL Network and certain other media assets owned and controlled by the NFL — including NFL’s linear RedZone Channel, and NFL Fantasy — in exchange for a 10% equity stake in ESPN. In addition to the sale of NFL Network, the NFL and ESPN are also entering into a second non-binding agreement, under which the NFL will license to ESPN certain NFL content and other intellectual property to be used by NFL Network and other assets. These transactions between America’s most popular sporting league and the world’s most innovative sports media leader are designed to set a new standard for how professional football is delivered, experienced and celebrated by fans. “Today’s announcement paves the way for the world’s leading sports media brand and America’s most popular sport to deliver an even more compelling experience for NFL fans, in a way that only ESPN and Disney can,” said Robert A. Iger, chief executive officer of The Walt Disney Company. “Commissioner Goodell and the NFL have built outstanding media assets, and these transactions will add to consumer choice, provide viewers with even greater convenience and quality, and expand the breadth and value proposition of Disney’s streaming ecosystem.” “Since its launch in 2003, NFL Network has provided millions of fans unprecedented access to the sport they love,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “Whether it was debuting Thursday Night Football, televising the Combine, or telling incredible football stories through original shows and breaking news, NFL Network has delivered. The Network’s sale to ESPN will build on this remarkable legacy, providing more NFL football for more fans in new and innovative ways.” “This is an exciting day for sports fans,” said Jimmy Pitaro, chairman of ESPN. “By combining these NFL media assets with ESPN’s reach and innovation, we’re creating a premier destination for football fans. Together, ESPN and the NFL are redefining how fans engage with the game — anytime, anywhere. This deal helps fuel ESPN’s digital future, laying the foundation for an even more robust offering as we prepare to launch our new direct-to-consumer service.” Additional DetailsThis new relationship brings together some of the NFL’s premier media brands and fan-engagement platforms with ESPN’s deep experience in producing and distributing high-quality and innovative sports programming. ESPN intends to deploy its resources and expertise in the development of NFL Network, distribution of the RedZone Channel and fantasy, to expand audience reach, increase accessibility and flexibility for consumers, drive innovation, and offer even more high-quality content to fans at highly competitive prices. As a result of this sale, NFL programming will be available on more platforms than ever before, including ESPN’s upcoming direct-to-consumer (“DTC”) service, while remaining on cable, satellite and leading streaming providers. ESPN’s DTC offering will deliver an array of NFL content to subscribers. Under the terms of these agreements: NFL Network, including both linear and digital rights, would be owned and operated by ESPN and fully integrated into ESPN DTC, alongside traditional pay television distribution, increasing accessibility and flexibility for consumers and promoting innovation in sports programming.ESPN would own broad rights to the RedZone brand and distribute the NFL RedZone Channel to pay TV operators for continued inclusion into their sports packages. NFL Fantasy Football would merge with ESPN Fantasy Football, creating the official Fantasy season-long game of the NFL and one best-in-class digital experience, driving innovation and enabling broader reach to meet global demand. In total, ESPN’s platforms will license an additional three NFL games per season to air on NFL Network as a result of today’s news. In addition, ESPN will adjust its overall NFL game schedule, with four games (including some from overlapping windows) shifting to NFL Network, which will continue to present seven games per season. The NFL will continue to own and operate its retained media businesses including properties such as NFL Films and key fan-facing platforms such as NFL+, NFL.com, the NFL Podcast Network, the NFL FAST Channel and the official sites for the league’s 32 clubs. It will also continue to own, operate, and produce NFL RedZone, and retain the rights to distribute NFL RedZone digitally. The transactions are subject to the parties’ negotiation of definitive agreements, various approvals including by the NFL team owners, and customary closing conditions. As is his wont, Mike Florio pokes holes in the announcement: It was a long time coming. It could be a long time going. The first sentence of the press release calls the deal between ESPN and the NFL a “non-binding agreement.” Which makes it even weaker than a Jerry Jones handshake deal. It’s not binding because the federal government must approve the transaction. And that’s not a sure thing. Assuming that, eventually, the non-binding agreement becomes binding and enforceable and final, it will give rise to various questions. Here are a few that come to mind. 1. Will ESPN now have a guaranteed package of NFL games? With the league owning 10 percent of ESPN, why would the league not sell back to itself one of the various NFL broadcast windows? It’s therefore hard not to wonder whether ESPN gave a piece of the company to the NFL as insurance against being nudged out of the mix by a tech company that is willing and able to pay a lot more than ESPN can afford. And it could mean that the NFL will accept less from ESPN on a rights deal. To the detriment of the interests of the players, who share in the revenue. (More on that later.) 2. Why does the league want to own a piece of ESPN? For years, the NFL benefited from broadcast partners doing deals that seemed to be out of whack. Those days could be ending. While the numbers are still big and always increasing, there’s no longer the same incentive to overpay for pro football as a platform to promote other network offerings. It’s about monetizing the games, period, through subscription feeds, advertising revenue, or some of both. So why not swap cash for equity? If the company will continue to thrive (and a guaranteed NFL footprint won’t hurt), the league will realize far more value over the long haul. And 10 percent of ESPN will be worth more than 100 percent of NFL Media, since the NFL was never able to properly maximize the value of its in-house media conglomerate. 3. What’s in it for the players? It’s a point we recently made. If the NFL were getting cash for its NFL Media properties (including the ability to televise more games), the players would be entitled to share in the money. With equity, who knows if or when or how the players will see a penny? The players currently have no equity in any aspect of the NFL. They won’t get any ESPN equity. For NFL Players Association interim executive director David White, it’s a critical question that should be immediately addressed. 4. What’s in it for the fans? At this point, who knows? They’ll make broad, sweeping claims that it’ll be good for consumers. They’ll insist the RedZone product won’t change, for example. Those promises are even more non-binding than the current non-binding agreement. Don’t fool yourself. They didn’t do it for us. They did it for themselves. Ultimately, to maximize value for the 32 owners and the Disney shareholders. (As a 28-year Disney shareholder, thanks. I guess.) Also, with the NFL eventually owning 10 percent of ESPN, it becomes very important to scrutinize any and all ESPN reporting on league matters. Will they be as candid in their criticism of the league and/or the owners? Will they pull punches? Will the NFL be even more inclined to call and complain if/when someone says or writes something the league office and/or an owner doesn’t like? With the NFL owning part of ESPN, it’s an extension of the practical impact of the NFL owning all of NFL Network. Will you be getting the truth, or are you getting P.R. spin? That’s for the average consumer to decide. If the average consumer even cares. |
| NFC NORTH |
| MINNESOTAThe Vikings will be without WR JORDAN ADDISON for the first three games of 2024: @AdamSchefterDiscipline: NFL suspended Vikings WR Jordan Addison for the first three games of the 2025 regular season for violating the league’s Substances of Abuse Policy. Addison now will miss games at Chicago, vs. the Falcons and vs. the Bengals. |
| NFC EAST |
| DALLASWhen pressed, Jerry Jones claims to be operating with urgency in terms of getting EDGE MICAH PARSONS to agree to a new deal. Todd Archer of ESPN.com: – Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones is not confident Pro Bowl edge rusher Micah Parsons will be available for the Sept. 4 season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles. “No, absolutely not,” Jones said after Tuesday’s joint practice with the Los Angeles Rams. “A big part of that is his decision. How would I know that?” Parsons made a trade request Friday that Jones dismissed as part of the negotiation toward a multiyear agreement between the two sides. Since then, Jones has not spoken with Parsons — at one point before practice they were a mere 7 yards apart — and there have been no discussions between the team and Parsons’ agent, David Mulugheta. Jones was asked when the urgency for a deal would increase, and he eventually said, “I’m urgent.” Parsons is under contract for this season on the fifth-year option of his rookie deal, set to make $21.324 million. Over the weekend, Jones alluded to Dak Prescott and DeMarcus Lawrence playing on the final years of their contracts or on the franchise tag without issue. The Cowboys eventually reached deals on mega-extensions with both players. Parsons has been taking part in the walk-throughs each day, but not in any drills. He spent a portion of Tuesday’s workout talking to former Rams tackle Andrew Whitworth, who has been something of a mentor to him over the years. He has not spoken to the media since delivering his trade request. Jacob Robinson of The Athletic with a valuable summation of what has been going on with Parsons: |
| WASHINGTONNFL.com: QB Jayden Daniels will not play in Washington’s preseason opener against New England but will play a lot during their joint practice on Wednesday, per Quinn. – – –The Athletic has solicited trade offers from its team correspondents for WR TERRY McLAURIN: All indications to this point have been that the Commanders are not interested in trading McLaurin, but The Athletic’s beat writers offered a few proposals that could be coming Washington’s way from around the league. New England PatriotsPatriots trade 2027 third-round pick for McLaurinThe Patriots are an obvious option when any player is on the trade block, considering the roster needs improving and they have the most cap space in the NFL. That said, a trade for McLaurin seems a bit unlikely for them. If this were before the draft, they probably would’ve been quite interested. But with Stefon Diggs now in the fold, if you add McLaurin, you risk boxing out third-round pick Kyle Williams, limiting his playing time and development. Additionally, a move for McLaurin, who turns 30 soon, might make more sense for a team with an open championship window. The Patriots are still rebuilding and might have better use for their ample cap space next offseason rather than chasing a 30-year-old receiver when they’re still a few years from seriously competing. — Chad Graff San Francisco 49ers49ers trade WR Brandon Aiyuk for McLaurinIt’s not so far-fetched considering this scenario was discussed a year ago when Aiyuk was the subject of a high-profile hold-in. Aiyuk had the Commanders at the top of possible trade destinations because of his relationship with, and admiration for, Jayden Daniels. The 49ers probably would have acquiesced to his request if McLaurin was part of a trade package, but the Commanders didn’t want to part with the receiver. A year later, would they reconsider? Now it’s McLaurin who’s causing a stir and whose feelings are hurt. While Aiyuk is coming off an Oct. 20 ACL tear and isn’t expected to be ready at the start of the season, he’s also two and a half years younger than McLaurin and has relationships throughout Commanders headquarters. He’s friends with the quarterback, he’s close to Deebo Samuel and he was drafted by GM Adam Peters, who was the 49ers’ top college scout at the time. Lengthy contract battles leave bridges burning. Wouldn’t both players be happier where there’s no smoke? — Matt Barrows Chargers trade 2026 fourth-round pick for McLaurinThe Chargers are still figuring out who is going to play on the outside alongside star slot Ladd McConkey in three-receiver packages. They have Quentin Johnston and two ascending rookies in Tre’ Harris and KeAndre Lambert-Smith, but that group is unproven. The Chargers signed Mike Williams as a veteran option in March. Williams, though, retired before training camp. McLaurin would check a number of boxes for the Chargers offense. He played more than 83 percent of his snaps on the outside for Washington in 2024. He was elite in contested-catch situations, a skill the Chargers are seeking. The Chargers have the cap space to take on McLaurin’s salary for this season. They are also projected to have the second-most cap space in the league in 2026, according to Over the Cap. Their top five receivers — McConkey, Johnston, Harris, Lambert-Smith and Derius Davis — are all on rookie deals. They could afford a more expensive veteran contract in this room from a cap perspective. The Chargers would have to do a deal with McLaurin after trading for him. Would he be open to something more short-term? A two-year extension at $30 million in AAV could make sense for both sides. — Daniel Popper Pittsburgh SteelersSteelers trade 2026 third-round pick and WR Roman Wilson for McLaurinIf the Steelers want to give Aaron Rodgers the best chance to make a run in what could be his final season, the biggest bet they could make would be a dynamic receiving threat behind DK Metcalf. For more than a year, there have been questions surrounding the WR2 position. Right now, the team seems interested in seeing how two receivers on rookie contracts — Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson — fill that role. McLaurin would be an instant and massive upgrade, signaling the Steelers really are “all in” for Rodgers. The veteran WR also could help at the beginning of a rookie QB window on a short, two-year extension worth $30 million per year. At the same time, a move of this magnitude would also require some salary-cap gymnastics. Currently, the Steelers have an estimated $17.5 million in cap space, according to Over the Cap, but they like to keep at least $10 million for in-season moves in case of injury. There are ways to make the money work (signing bonuses, restructuring other contracts) and you never know how aggressive GM Omar Khan might be. — Mike DeFabo Buffalo BillsBills trade WR Curtis Samuel and 2026 fifth-round pick for McLaurinThe Bills could certainly use a legitimate No. 1 receiver, but as of right now, only if the right situation arises. McLaurin is a perfect fit for Josh Allen, though McLaurin’s need for a new deal with a cap-strapped team casts some doubt on the pairing. If the Bills could move Samuel’s $6.9 million in guaranteed base salary, along with a Day 3 pick for someone like McLaurin, I could see them talking themselves into it. Samuel, at least, could give the Commanders a player they could start in the interim. Considering McLaurin’s age and that the Bills would need to give him a new contract, that creates some leverage. The Bills could conceivably make room for a new deal on their cap with the excavated Samuel cap hit in 2025, using some previously untapped contract restructures, along with backloading McLaurin’s new deal since they can structure it however they want. However, the presence of Keon Coleman and Joshua Palmer, and wanting to see what they have in them for a year, may discourage the Bills from even getting involved. None of these offers will sway the Commanders. They’d probably get a third-round compensatory pick if they let McLaurin walk as a free agent in March, so they’d want more than the Patriots’ offer. Acquiring Aiyuk from San Francisco carries some intrigue, especially because he’s Daniels’ close friend and former teammate, and he has close ties to Peters and Samuel. Not to mention, Aiyuk is only 27. But he’s coming off a major knee injury, and has carried the workload of a No. 1 receiver for only two seasons. |
| NFC SOUTH |
| CAROLINACB JAYCEE HORN was hurt in an auto accident near Bank of America Stadium. David Newton of ESPN.com: – Carolina Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn received a few stitches in his “left thumb area” following a Wednesday morning car accident that forced him to miss a joint practice against the Cleveland Browns. The 2024 Pro Bowl selection was evaluated by the team’s medical staff and no one involved in the incident was transported by emergency medical personnel. Horn, who attended practice in street clothes, later indicated he was OK in a social media post on X. The accident happened at the corner of Mint and Morehead streets in downtown Charlotte. There was heavy rain in the area at the time of the crash. Coach Dave Canales said after practice that Horn will not play in Friday’s preseason opener against the Browns. “I’m glad that Jaycee was OK. He did have to have a few stitches in his left thumb area,” said Canales. “They got that all cleaned up and sutured up. He’s day-to-day right now.” |
| NFC WEST |
| LOS ANGELES RAMSAnd now we have a description of what QB MATTHEW STAFFORD is dealing with from Ian Rapoport of NFL Network: @RapSheetSources: #Rams QB Matthew Stafford is dealing with an aggravated disc and has received an epidural to help him deal with it. Los Angeles has called him week-to-week, being cautious, but with plans for him to be ready for Week 1. More from Robbie Kalland of CBSSports.com: Adam Schefter echoed that on a recent podcast but offered a bit more insight into Stafford’s status and why the Rams aren’t panicking as an organization. “I don’t think it’s ideal when your quarterback hasn’t practiced yet in training camp and it’s the first week in August, but, it’s my understanding is, it is a total maintenance issue,” Schefter said. “Yes, he has had some back discomfort, he’s had some pain — 37 years old — but they don’t want to put him out there, they don’t want to put any wear and tear on his body. He knows how the game works. He knows how the offense functions. He knows how his teammates think and operate. So they are intentionally keeping him out in the interest of maintenance, self-preservation and just wise caution. And my understanding is, if the Rams had a game today, Matthew Stafford would be playing, without a question.” The last line is the most encouraging, but given Stafford’s history of back issues, most notably a spinal cord contusion that cost him time in the 2022 season, Rams fans will have a hard time not being at least a little concerned about Stafford’s health and whether he can make it through the season if he’s already in maintenance mode in August. Kyren Williams contract: Rams star running back gets three-year, $33 million extensionThe Rams leaned on a strong running game last year while they dealt with some major receiver injuries, and they signed Kyren Williams to a new $33 million extension Tuesday. He figures to play a prominent role again in alleviating the burden on Stafford, as the better their rushing attack is, the less pressure Stafford will face — and the better chance he has of navigating the full season. McVay was non-committal about Stafford making any appearances during the preseason, and we may have to wait until their Sept. 7 opener against Houston to see how Stafford looks in game action. |
| AFC WEST |
| LOS ANGELES CHARGERSWR KEENAN ALLEN has returned to the Chargers. Kris Rhim of ESPN.com: Wide receiver Keenan Allen, who spent the first 11 years of his NFL career with the Chargers, is returning to the team, as the sides agreed to a one-year deal Tuesday. After Mike Williams’ surprise retirement last month, a reunion between Allen, 33, and the Chargers seemed possible. Allen worked out for the team on Friday, and he now will reunite with quarterback Justin Herbert. But the six-time Pro Bowler will be walking into a much different receiving room than the one he left when the Chargers traded him to the Chicago Bears following the 2023 season. Wide receiver Ladd McConkey, who broke many of Allen’s rookie receiving records in 2024, spends most of his time as a slot receiver, like Allen. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman will be tasked with making Allen and McConkey mesh in the passing offense. Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz, speaking after the deal was announced Tuesday night, dismissed any concerns about the duo’s fit. “I think [Bears wide receiver] DJ Moore’s played a lot of slot, and they were both on the field 80% of the time last year,” Hortiz said of Allen’s role in Chicago. “You get good players on the field and you play them.” Hortiz added that his team is “fired up” to bring aboard Allen and noted while Allen was always an option, there was more opportunity after Williams’ retirement. With Allen back, undrafted rookie quarterback DJ Uiagalelei switched from No. 13 to No. 7. The Chargers selected Allen with the 76th pick in the 2013 NFL draft out of Cal. He remained with the Bolts through the 2023 season, when he set the franchise’s single-season record for receptions with 108 despite sitting out the final four games because of a heel injury. He was the most reliable weapon in a receiving corps that was inconsistent throughout that campaign. But after the two sides couldn’t agree to terms on a contract extension, the Chargers traded Allen to the Bears for a 2024 fourth-round pick in March 2024. Sources close to Allen told ESPN at the time that the trade blindsided him. But in Chicago, Allen wasn’t as productive and finished last season with 70 receptions for 744 yards and seven touchdowns before he left in free agency this offseason. |
| AFC NORTH |
| CLEVELANDBrowns fans probably know this: @_MLFootball🚨🚨WILD STAT🚨🚨 The Houston Oilers have won their division more recently than the Cleveland #Browns… 😳😳😳 The Houston Oilers franchise last played an #NFL game in 1996. A big first preseason game for QB SHADEUR SANDERS. Myles Simmons of ProFootballTalk.com: Head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed in his Wednesday press conference that Shedeur Sanders will start the contest. But Tyler “Snoop” Huntley will be the only other quarterback to play in the game, with Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and Dillon Gabriel slated to rest. “We’ll play Shedeur at quarterback,” Stefanski said. “We just signed Snoop Huntley, as you guys saw. We’ll see, get Snoop back up to speed quickly. He’s been in a couple of different offenses since we last saw him. So, he’s doing a great job of working at it. But it’s a great opportunity for all of our young players in that football game.” Stefanski noted that the Browns are going to work through how much Sanders and Huntley will play on Friday. The head coach added that while most veteran starters will not play, there are some younger players who could suit up with Sanders — including along the offensive line. But receivers Jerry Jeudy and Cedric Tillman will not be on the field. “My expectations for Shedeur are no different than the rest of the guys, honestly,” Stefanski said. “But expect him to go operate. When you get in these preseason games, you try to keep it very simple so guys can play fast. All concepts that our players know and can kind of not think too much, and just play ball.” Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com with more on what is going on in the QB battle: The Cleveland Browns were still more than a half-hour away from breaking into stretches at their eighth training camp practice last Friday, but quarterback Shedeur Sanders was already on the practice field. Within the next 15 minutes, Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel and Kenny Pickett joined Sanders to practice taking shotgun snaps and throwing a few warmup passes as quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave watched each player. The Browns are one of three NFL teams (the Colts and Saints are the others) embroiled in a quarterback battle this summer — and they have already experienced their share of wrinkles based on observations through the first 10 practices. Last Friday, Pickett returned in a limited capacity from the hamstring injury that cost him three practices. On Saturday, Sanders was held out of team drills after reporting arm soreness during individual drills, leaving Flacco and Gabriel to handle all the reps. On Monday, Sanders returned to full participation but Gabriel was limited because of hamstring tightness. And on Tuesday, the Browns signed Tyler Huntley to add depth in the wake of the injuries in the position room. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski has emphasized that a final decision on QB1 has yet to be made, but the team’s first unofficial depth chart released Monday listed Flacco as the starter, followed by Pickett, Gabriel and Sanders. A hierarchy had already been set as far as reps in practice. Flacco (an 18-year veteran), Pickett (a 2022 first-round pick) and Gabriel (a 2025 third-round pick) have all split snaps with the first-team offense. Sanders, a fifth-round pick and the final QB added in the offseason, has led the backup units. Deshaun Watson continues to rehab an Achilles injury the team expects will sideline him for most of the 2025 season. “It’s next man up and when you’re not in a competition, I think you’re losing ground,” said Pickett, who as of Monday had not been fully cleared to practice. With the Browns set to hold joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Wednesday ahead of their preseason opener (Friday at Carolina, 7 p.m. ET) — a game in which sources told ESPN that Sanders will start — here is how the team is navigating its four-way quarterback battle. STEFANSKI STOOD IN in front of a Browns-themed backdrop and faced a large media scrum ahead of Cleveland’s first training camp practice on July 23. As Stefanski was peppered with questions about the forthcoming quarterback competition, he issued a warning. “I know it will get reported on who’s in there first,” the sixth-year head coach said. “And it may change. It will change tomorrow. So, I caution you to [not] read too much into it until we get much later on in the process.” When the Browns broke the huddle for their first set of team drills, it was Pickett lining up with the starting offense. Pickett, who was drafted by Pittsburgh, took every snap with the starting unit in 11-on-11 drills, while Gabriel and Sanders led the backups. Flacco, who won Super Bowl XLVII with Baltimore, took zero snaps in 11-on-11s and watched from afar, save for a few passes during 7-on-7s. In the following days, Pickett and Flacco rotated leading the starting unit. It’s the daily juggle of finding reps with each quarterback for Stefanski, who after the draft said that reps wouldn’t necessarily be divided equally but would be “fair to each player and fair to the team as well.” Pickett emphasizes he takes it a day at a time. “You don’t know what you’re going to get that day,” Pickett said. “You’re just showing up and prepared to — I mean, I think every guy here is prepared to go play the entire practice. That’s how I look at it. … So whatever reps I do get, I can take advantage of it.” Each quarterback has typically thrown no more than a dozen passes in each practice but they have said they aren’t focused on the rationing of those reps. “There’s a bunch of reps to go around in terms of mentally, physically, the combination,” Gabriel said. “…The moment you’re thinking about the reps you don’t have, you’re not focusing on the reps you do have. … you just got to be where your feet are and take advantage of that, because that’s all you got.” The adjustment hasn’t only been on the quarterbacks but the pass catchers who are building rapport with multiple passers and the offensive linemates who are attempting to get in sync with each quarterback. “Right now, it’s been a big emphasis with all of them, getting their cadences to be rhythmically the same,” said right tackle Jack Conklin, “which is helpful but there’s definitely working pains with that. But honestly that’s kind of good for us. It makes it so we’re really having to tie into the cadence, which I think is good for being in camp, not being able to just be on one or two cadences.” Through 10 training camp practices, Gabriel has outpaced every quarterback in total practice snaps but Flacco has taken more than half of the snaps leading the first-team offense. Sanders, who dropped to the fifth round before being selected with the 144th pick, has yet to take a snap with the first-team offense but received four plays leading the second-team offense against the starting defense last week. “The thing for me is if you’re not getting a ton of reps out there and you’re only getting a certain amount of throws through individual [drills], it’s just, like, maybe keeping an equipment guy out and just playing some long toss or something like that,” Flacco said. “Just make sure your arm [is] still getting the load that it’s kind of gotten over the last three, four weeks as you’re kind of getting ready to come back.” THE SHEER NUMBER of quarterbacks needing reps daily and the limited number to go around has led the Browns to find creative ways to get each passer experience, even if they aren’t on the field. During the offseason workout program and the first four training camp practices, the Browns “two-spotted,” breaking the offense into two fields to maximize reps. Inside the practice facility, there is a virtual walk-through room with a turf floor that allows the quarterbacks to go through a script of plays as if they were leading the offense. After practice, the Browns often have a team drill session they call “Hungry Dawgs,” which allows young players and backups to get more competitive reps. Gabriel and Sanders have run the offenses during each of these sessions. “I think you got to find ways to steal reps,” Pickett said, “whether that’s on the field, watching when you’re not going, watching the other guys in there after practice, staying and throwing to spots that you may not have gotten, the plays that you weren’t able to run.” On the opening day of training camp, Stefanski said he had a tentative timeline to decide on a starter but hoped to name “one sooner than later.” However, he wanted to give each quarterback ample practice time before evaluating the state of the competition and moving forward. Joint practices with the Panthers, a pair of practices with the Philadelphia Eagles on Aug. 13-14 and the preseason games that will follow will loom large in that decision-making process for QB1. “I don’t think not getting out the mix [in the QB competition] is even a thought in my mind, in any room,” Sanders said. “So, I know I have the utmost standards for myself, and I know all I could do is go out there and do what I got to do every day and make as minimal mistakes [as possible]. “And I know it’s a long ways to go with everything and I know I lack experience on this realm and on this level, but one thing I can hang my hat on is in all pressure situations, you know who I am.” |
| PITTSBURGHThe Steelers were counting on seeing a lot of rookie QB WILL HOWARD in preseason. Now, they aren’t. Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com: Aaron Rodgers is the present. Rookie Will Howard is potentially the future. He won’t be available in the immediate future. Via Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, Howard suffered a fracture in his hand after banging it during practice. He’ll have additional tests. Currently, it’s not believed surgery will be required. Per Rapoport, he’s expected to miss at least three weeks. Howard spent 2024 at Ohio State, after four years at Kansas State. He was drafted by the Steelers in round six. The other Steelers quarterbacks are Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson. It’s not yet known whether they’ll be signing another quarterback during Howard’s absence. Howard is listed as the third-string quarterback, behind Rodgers and Rudolph, on the team’s initial depth chart. |
| AFC SOUTH |
| INDIANAPOLISJames Boyd of The Athletic on a strong performance from QB ANTHONY RICHARDSON (and QB DANIEL JONES) in joint work with the Ravens. He also lets us know the name of WR AD MITCHELL: Anthony Richardson didn’t hesitate. The Indianapolis Colts quarterback knew where he wanted to go with the football, so when the window opened, he ripped it. Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce, running a skinny post down the left sideline, caught the ball in stride for about a 20-yard gain before skirting out of bounds. That was Richardson’s first throw in what turned out to be a strong 11-on-11 performance during Tuesday’s joint practice against the Baltimore Ravens. It was also a reminder of how much has changed … or at least the Colts hope. Last year, when the Colts went on the road for a joint practice in Cincinnati, it was a nightmare for the 2023 No. 4 pick. Richardson finished 10-of-20 passing during 11-on-11, and the Bengals defenders openly mocked him. “He’s just throwing to spots!” Bengals safety Geno Stone yelled at Colts reporters who were standing nearby. “He doesn’t see his receivers.” “Is that all he does is run?” Bengals cornerback Cameron Taylor-Britt chimed in. Both players’ scathing assessment of Richardson foreshadowed a roller coaster 2024 campaign that was a lot more down than up. Richardson threw 12 interceptions in 11 starts, and his 47.7 completion percentage ranked last in the NFL. Richardson’s goal this offseason, he said, was to clean up his footwork and mechanics so he can make the simpler throws, which would, in theory, raise his efficiency. Tuesday was the latest example of the work Richardson has put in as he finished 10-of-13 passing in 11-on-11, including a short touchdown pass to wide receiver Ashton Dulin in a red zone period. Richardson carved up the Ravens’ defense with a series of short and intermediate passes, mixed with a few of his signature downfield throws to still give the Colts’ offense an explosive edge. Colts coach Shane Steichen announced after Tuesday’s practice that Richardson will start in Thursday’s preseason opener at Baltimore. The plan is for Richardson to play one quarter and another half quarter before being replaced by Daniel Jones, who is competing with Richardson for the QB1 title, for the rest of the first half. The signal callers will then flip roles (and playing time) for the Colts’ second preseason game against the Green Bay Packers next week. Steichen has yet to commit to one passer, perhaps because every time Richardson tries to separate himself from his challenger, Jones won’t let go of the rope. Like Richardson, Jones also delivered a steady outing against the Ravens. The ex-Giants starter finished 14-of-17 passing, and though he didn’t push the ball downfield as much as Richardson, he kept the chains moving. Steichen has stressed consistency throughout this QB battle this offseason, and so far, Jones has been more consistent than Richardson, which still gives a good shot to start in Week 1. “I thought both quarterbacks did some really good things,” Steichen said Tuesday, refusing to lean one way or the other. “… (I’m) excited to go back and watch the tape.” AD Mitchell didn’t care that the pass from Jones was slightly overthrown. After beating Ravens cornerback Nate Wiggins in a 1-on-1 drill to start Tuesday’s joint practice, Mitchell shouted in the direction of several media members who witnessed him make Wiggins look bad at the line of scrimmage. “Burnt toast!” Mitchell said, referencing Wiggins, who was still within earshot. A few reps later, Mitchell proved he doesn’t have a preference for which Ravens cornerback he burns. He doesn’t think any of them can guard him anyway, and Ravens cornerback Chidobe Awuzie soon became his next victim. After Mitchell quickly discarded Awuzie at the line of scrimmage and gained a step on him, he stepped on the gas and caught a perfectly placed deep ball from Richardson for an easy touchdown. This time, as if he were keeping a promise, he looked at the same group of media members and shouted, “I told you!” Mitchell was arguably the Colts’ best offensive player Tuesday, as his breakout training camp continues. He freed himself on a variety of short, intermediate and long routes, and the Ravens were completely unable to slow him down. Mitchell’s best play came on about a 40-yard reception down the right sideline. After beating Wiggins again, Richardson threw the ball to Mitchell’s back shoulder, and the receiver flipped his hips at the last second to make a fingertip grab while simultaneously dragging his toes inbound to complete the catch. The Colts offense let out an approving roar as Mitchell proudly ran back to the huddle. Ravens fans in attendance simply gasped in awe. After practice, Mitchell downplayed his performance and the chirping between teams, only conceding through a sly smile that, “yes,” it felt like a real game. The second-year pro credited his teammates, namely left tackle and seven-time Pro Bowler Quenton Nelson, for helping him get in the right mindset to compete. “Q got up and said some things in front of the team that really stuck with us,” Mitchell said. “He was talking about bringing the energy and hyping up your teammates and stuff. So, kind of ever since then, that’s all we’ve been trying to do is just bring the juice up and make plays.” Aside from the QBs, Steichen didn’t disclose which potential starters will play in Thursday’s preseason opener. If Mitchell has any say, he plans to suit up and keep building on his promising training camp. “I always want to go out there and play with my dogs, fight for my dogs, man,” Mitchell said. “I know they would do the same if they were me.” Mitchell, who caught passes from QBs CARSON BOYD and QUINN EWERS while at Georgia and Texas respectively, was the Colts second round pick in 2024. His first year didn’t go well with 20 catches and nary a touchdown, but that seems to be changing. |
| TENNESSEEFrom NFL.com: QB Cam Ward and the starters will play in every preseason game, coach Brian Callahan said. Ward will likely get a series or two in Tennessee’s preseason opener against the Buccaneers on Saturday, Callahan added. |
| AFC EAST |
| BUFFALOVeteran scribe Pete Prisco went to Bills camp and had this to say: @PriscoCBSSpent two days with the Bills in Rochester and the team is better than it was a year ago. The schedule is favorable too. They have the look of a No. 1 seed when you combine the two. Bills mafia might be ready to celebrate big time next year. I love the makeup of the team and the staff. The schedule has the look of 13-4 or 14-3 for me. That would be a top seed. Prisco filed this at CBSSports.com Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen relishes winning the MVP last season, an award he still continues to say was really a team honor, but also one that helped him finally shed the cloud hanging over him personally from the endless stream of doubters who have questioned him from the day he walked into the league as a big-armed passer from Wyoming. But, while the MVP is nice, it’s not as nearly as important as the hardware he truly wants. “I’d trade 10 of them for a ring,” Allen said during a break from practice here at St. John Fisher College, the Bills’ summer home. That’s not to dismiss the importance of winning the award, which Allen is proud to have won. It’s just that it’s not the thing he wants most. “I think we just received the trophy,” Allen said. “It’s in a box in my house. I couldn’t tell you where it’s at. It’s such a cool honor. My speech talked about how it’s a team award more than an individual award. But it’s over and on to the next.” On to the next means trying to shake the idea that the Bills and Allen are John Stockton and Karl Malone and Charles Barkley to Michael Jordan. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has been Jordan in the AFC. History says Malone, Stockton, Barkley are great players, but they are viewed differently without a championship, however fair that is to them. For now, Allen and the Bills are just like them. Mahomes has Jordaned them every time in the playoffs, which he did again last year in a tough season-ending loss for the Bills in the AFC Championship game in January. It was the fourth time the Bills have lost to Mahomes in the playoffs, all tough, close games. “It’s a great analogy,” Bills general manager Brandon Beane said of the comparison to the Suns and Bulls and others that Jordan beat. “We just have to keep moving forward to keep trying to get there. It’s a play here or a play there. We’re close. But we can’t just prepare the team to beat the Chiefs. There are a lot of good teams in the AFC. I don’t think we’re far away. We just have to make a stop here or there. We haven’t made the stop when we needed to make them. We feel like we’ve upgraded our defense for that reason. We have to get the key stops.” |
| NEW ENGLANDCoach Mike Vrabel literally has bled for his team. Ryan Phillips of SI.com: Mike Vrabel isn’t afraid to mix it up with his players but things may have gone a bit too far on Wednesday. The New England Patriots head coach jumped into a fight between players during his team’s joint practice with the Washington Commanders and wound up worse for wear. According to Zack Cox from the Boston Herald, running back TreVeyon Henderson took a Commanders pass rusher to the ground, and the two players began fighting. Vrabel jumped in to break things up when rookie Patriots tackle Will Campbell accidentally hit his coach as he joined the pile. The contact from Campbell caused Vrabel to start bleeding from his face. The cut appeared to be on his cheek. There were multiple fights during the spirited joint practice and apparently Vrabel had enough and jumped in to stop the nonsense. Vrabel is an intense head coach. He showed that during six seasons leading the Tennessee Titans. The Patriots brought him in as their new head coach this offseason to infuse some intensity into the organization. A three-time Super Bowl champion as a linebacker for the Patriots, Vrabel remains an intimidating presence. |
| THIS AND THAT |
| STINK OVER SMELLING SALTSSmelling salts are a remedy for trainers and others as old as the hills. Now, they are banned on gameday by the NFL. Saad Yousuf and Jayna Bardahl of The Athletic: The NFL has banned team distribution of ammonia and smelling salts during games, per a memo sent to all 32 clubs on Tuesday. George Kittle revealed the development on live television Tuesday. As the NFL Network crew interviewed linebacker Fred Warner at San Francisco 49ers training camp, Kittle came over to the set, initially standing behind Warner and joking around. But the 49ers tight end was given a microphone and decided to get something off his chest, while breaking some news. “I honestly just came up here to air a grievance,” Kittle said. “Our team got a memo today that smelling salts and ammonia packets were made illegal in the NFL, and I’ve been distraught all day.” Warner interjected, saying, “He even said it: He’s not practicing anymore.” “I considered retirement,” Kittle said. “I considered it. We’ve got to figure out a middle ground here, guys. Somebody help me out, somebody come up with a good idea.” The memo distributed to clubs stated that team distribution of “ammonia inhalants,” including ammonia capsules, inhalers, ammonia in a cup or any form of smelling salts is prohibited during all NFL games, including pregame activities and halftime, both on the sideline and in locker rooms. The memo cited a 2024 warning from the FDA regarding “the lack of evidence supporting the safety or efficacy of AIs marketed for improving mental alertness or boosting energy.” It added that AIs can be used to mask potential signs or symptoms of a concussion, leading the NFL head, neck and spine committee to recommend prohibiting their use. Kittle said he typically uses smelling salts before every drive during games. “I miss those already,” he said. |
