NFL Football News 99

Hall of Fame head coach Bud Grant, a Minnesota icon and one of the best NFL coaches of the 1970s, turns 93 today. Grant took the Vikings to the Super Bowl in eight years, capping the 1969, 1973, 1974, and 1976 seasons with appearances in Super Bowls IV, VIII, IX, and XI. Before coaching, Grant […]

As we wait for live sports to return, why not enjoy some of the best live sports from days gone by? You’ll get to do that this week on NBCSN and NBC, with seven classic Super Bowls re-aired from Monday through Sunday. All were originally televised by NBC. It starts Monday night at 8:00 p.m. […]

After missing most of the 2019 season with a torn biceps, Packers guard Lane Taylor has agreed to a pay cut in 2020. Taylor will get a $100,000 signing bonus and total pay of $1.5 million, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Media. Taylor had been due a base salary of $3.8 million this season, […]

Although the effort apparently was unrelated to life in a pandemic, it may come in handy if the Vikings are playing games with no one inside their stadium. Via Rochelle Olson of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, the Minnesota legislature has given the Vikings permission to sell alcohol in the Commons park, a 4.2-acre gathering space […]

One of the many talking points that has accompanied the move to a virtual offseason program amid the COVID-19 pandemic has been the impact it will have on undrafted rookies trying to make teams. With no spring work on the field, they’ll have limited time to make an impression whether camps open on schedule or […]

The Vikings will be among the teams which continue to work remotely, even as the NFL has allowed them to open under certain conditions. According to Mark Craig of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, the Vikings are taking their time, and building a plan for eventually working from the office again. “We have submitted a comprehensive […]

Washington defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio says rookie pass rusher Chase Young has infinite potential. Young, the second overall pick who was viewed by many as the most talented football player in this year’s draft, has Del Rio licking his chops about how his defense can get after the quarterback. “I think the sky’s the […]

With the “when” now attached to the “who” and the “where” of the 2020 regular season (and setting aside the “how,” for now), it’s time to explore the potential service of a dish not cold but under the bright lights of an NFL stadium: Revenge. Simms and I drafted the best revenge games of the […]

San Francisco tight end George Kittle is heading into the final year of his rookie contract, and he and the 49ers are far apart in negotiations for a new deal. Kittle’s agent, Jack Bechta, told Mike Silver of NFL Media that the two sides are not close. Kittle’s camp is looking for a deal that […]

The Texans appear to be in the mood to spend money (unless you’re DeAndre Hopkins), but J.J. Watt‘s not walking around with his hand out. Via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, the veteran defensive end said during a videoconference with reporters that he wasn’t looking for any amendments to his current contract. “No, I […]

Deshaun Watson won’t have DeAndre Hopkins to throw to anymore. The Texans traded Hopkins in the offseason, and he and his 632 catches for 8,602 yards and 54 touchdowns are now in Arizona. The Texans instead added receivers Brandin Cooks and Randall Cobb and running back David Johnson. “We’re excited about the veteran weapons, the […]

A year ago, people were betting Mitchell Trubisky‘s betting odds down from ridiculous heights. This year, that won’t be happening. Trubisky, No. 20 on last year’s Chris Simms quarterback rankings, has plummeted to No. 38. It’s a long fall, but it was warranted. Still, it’s not entirely clear why it happened. Does Trubisky not have […]

The Packers faced 18-1 odds to win Super Bowl LIV this time last year. They finished 13-3 and lost to the 49ers in the NFC Championship Game. They currently have 18-1 odds to win Super Bowl LV. Aaron Rodgers, not surprisingly, likes his team’s chances better than that. “I think some of the beauty in […]

The Bears outperformed expectations in 2018. In 2019, they underperformed. As they prepare to attempt to turn things around in 2020, G.M. Ryan Pace joined the #PFTPM podcast for an in-depth conversation. The 20-minute (or so) discussion appears in the attached video, and the topics include the current challenges associated with getting a team ready, […]

Broncos running back Floyd Little, who entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame a decade ago, has been diagnosed with cancer. Via Syracuse.com, former teammate Pat Killorin has organized a fundraiser to help Little fight what Killorin said is an aggressive but treatable form of the disease. “No doubt it will be the toughest fight of […]

The Dolphins’ leading rusher last season was quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. They badly needed help at running back. Enter Matt Breida. And exit Matt Breida. The 49ers had a wealth of riches at the position, so Breida now is in Miami. “It is a little bit sad, but it’s also business,” 49ers running back Raheem Mostert […]

Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins has issued a statement regarding the recent unrest in Minneapolis. “My heart breaks for our city, but especially for my African American brothers and sisters, who I know feel this on a level I can’t possibly understand,” Cousins said on social media. “Please know I am with you. WE must do […]

Who knows what happens if 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw doesn’t tackle Seahawks tight end Jacob Hollister short of the goal line on fourth down in the waning seconds of the regular-season finale? Maybe (probably?) the 49ers don’t win the NFC. But he did, and they did. “I know how big of a play it was […]

Titans wide receiver A.J. Brown gave the Titans what they were looking for as a rookie, but it wasn’t enough for him to wind up as the NFL’s offensive rookie of the year. Brown finished third in the voting behind Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray and Eagles running back Miles Sanders after catching 52 passes for […]

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has spoken to the media for the first time since the Packers drafted quarterback Jordan Love in round one. And Rodgers balanced diplomacy and candor in addressing the situation. “General reaction at first was surprise,” Rodgers said, “like many people. I’m not going to say I was thrilled with the pick.” […]

Texas Tech went only 16-21 in the three seasons Patrick Mahomes played for the Red Raiders. But he left behind plenty of pleasant memories. Mahomes completed 63.5 percent of his passes for 11,252 yards with 93 touchdowns and 29 interceptions in his college career, while rushing for 845 yards and 22 touchdowns. Since his college […]

Daniel Brunskill started games at right tackle, left tackle and right guard last season. He also got some work at center in practice. Now, with the release of right guard Mike Person in March, Brunskill is seeking a full-time job at one spot. He is the favorite for the job but will have to beat […]

Jeffery Simmons is 15 months removed from tearing the anterior crucicate ligament in his left knee. He played nine games last season, including seven starts, as a rookie. He expects to be even better this season, because his knee is even better. The defensive lineman has continued to rehab with Titans strength coach Frank Piraino […]

Get your popcorn ready. And your Scotch. Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers hasn’t spoken publicly since the draft. According to Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com, Rodgers will do so on Friday, at 2:00 p.m. CT. Rodgers has spoken privately to former Packers quarterback Brett Favre, and Favre’s public characterization of the call has made it clear that […]

The NBA has set a target date for a return to play. NBA commissioner Adam Silver informed the board of governors Friday that the league hopes to resume July 31, Shams Charania of TheAthletic.com reports. All games are expected to take place at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Disney World in Orlando. […]

The Texans exercised the fifth-year option on Deshaun Watson‘s contract for 2021. It will pay him $17.3 million. Both he and the Texans want a long-term deal for the quarterback. The Texans have had preliminary conversations about a new deal with Watson’s agent, David Mulugheta. It is early in the process, but the Texans likely […]

Larrell Murchison wasn’t the first player the Titans drafted in April, but he is the first to agree to terms on a contract. Murchison’s agents announced the agreement on Wednesday. The fifth-round pick will sign a four-year deal with the Titans. Murchison moved from junior college to North Carolina State in 2017 and spent the […]

Make no mistake, Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre still thinks the Packers made a mistake by drafting quarterback Jordan Love. At the same time, he can acknowledge that the Packers did the right thing by drafting Aaron Rodgers when he was still there, and enough time has passed for him to admit he could […]

The Dolphins hired coach Brian Flores, who spent 11 years under Bill Belichick in New England. Flores, of course, has adopted some of the Patriot Way. He also has acquired some of his former players. Linebacker Kyle Van Noy became one of four ex-Patriots to join the Dolphins this offseason. He makes it clear, though, […]

Logan Ryan won’t return to Tennessee, and by all accounts, the Jets are favored to land him. But the Dolphins “remain in play” for the cornerback, Mike Garafolo of NFL Media reports. Ryan and the Dolphins have had recent talks despite their riches at cornerback. Ryan, 29, wants close to the $9.5 million he made […]

Packers coach Matt LaFleur is pushing back against the idea that Green Bay was looking for a replacement for Aaron Rodgers in the draft. LaFleur said that the Packers just ended up with Love because he was the best player left on their draft board after some other players were selected, and not because they […]

The NFL’s planned preseason “Sky Judge” experiment is designed to avoid invading the purview of the referee. Indeed, the process of consulting with the replay assistant doesn’t even begin unless and until the referee initiates it. So how will the referee even know to initiate it? The referee is doing the referee’s job, moving on […]

NFL players are speaking up about the senseless death of George Floyd, which has riled up Minneapolis and the nation, and another starting quarterback has added his voice to the growing chorus. Raiders quarterback Derek Carr joined Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz in becoming one of the highest-profile players to post a message on social media. […]

Running back Devonta Freeman remains a free agent, but by choice. The Seahawks offered Freeman a deal, which Mike Silver of NFL Media reports is a one-year contract worth up to $4 million. Freeman seeks more. Freeman, 28, is not without suitors. The Jets and Eagles also have interest, according to Silver. Freeman has played […]

Carson Wentz lasted only eight minutes in his first postseason start. Jadeveon Clowney‘s hit left the Eagles quarterback with a concussion and watching Josh McCown run the offense in a loss to the Seahawks in the wild-card round game. John Clark of NBC Sports Philadelphia asked Wentz about the hit in an interview Thursday. Officials […]

Former Bears safety Roosevelt Taylor died on Friday at the age of 82. Taylor joined the Bears in 1961 after playing at Grambling and spent nine seasons with the team. He was part of their NFL championship squad in 1963 and was named a first-team All-Pro for his play in Chicago’s title run. He was […]

The Canadian Football League and The Spring League are discussing a partnership, Dan Ralph of the Canadian Press reports. The Spring League is an American developmental league. CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie requested a formal proposal from The Spring League after talking to its CEO, Brian Woods, on Wednesday. CFL teams would practice and play against […]

The Raiders are on the move, literally. They’re already officially the Las Vegas Raiders, but the team that was for many years the Oakland Raiders is now moving out of its longtime facility in Alameda, California. Paul Gutierrez of ESPN reports that the Raiders are in the process of packing up their facility, and some […]

The Panthers made the signing of cornerback Eli Apple official Friday, so they had to find a roster spot. Per the league’s transaction wire, they waived linebacker Sione Teuhema. They signed him last year after a tryout at rookie minicamp, after he played at Southeast Louisiana and had a stint in the AAF. He was […]

Miles Sanders led the Eagles in carries during his rookie season, but he spent much of the year sharing time with Jordan Howard in the lead running back role. Sanders doesn’t have a clear partner at the top of the depth chart this year. Howard moved on to Miami as a free agent, which leaves […]