QB Philip Rivers agrees to $25 million deal with ColtsVideo
INDIANAPOLIS — Philip Rivers spent more than a decade picking apart the Indianapolis Colts and irritating their fans. On Wednesday, he’ll become their new quarterback. The longtime Chargers star agreed to a one-year contract with Indy on Tuesday, according to a person who spoke to the Associated Press on condition...
Where will Tom Brady land? Buccaneers have best odds of these 6 teamsVideo
Tom Brady made it clear to the world Tuesday that he’s leaving New England after two decades, three league MVPs and six Super Bowl rings. Left unsaid: where he’s headed. What team wouldn’t want the four-time Super Bowl MVP? Only one will get arguably the best quarterback in NFL history,...
Panthers: Cam Newton can seek trade; QB says didn’t request itVideo
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Panthers are parting ways with Cam Newton. Carolina general manager Marty Hurney said Tuesday via Twitter the team is giving the 31-year-old quarterback permission to seek a trade, although the former league MVP responded by saying he never requested one. “Every year difficult decisions are made,...
AP source: Saints, Brees agree on 2-year, $50 million deal
NEW ORLEANS — The Saints and record-setting quarterback Drew Brees have agreed on a two-year, $50 million contract, a person familiar with the situation said. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity on Tuesday because the deal has not been announced. Brees has said repeatedly that...
Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft react Tom Brady’s farewell from the Patriots
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Tom Brady has posted on social media that he is leaving the New England Patriots after 20 seasons and six Super Bowl titles. Here’s what Patriots coach Bill Belichick and owner Robert Kraft said Tuesday in statement released by the team: Coach Bill Belichick “Tom was not...
Tom Brady tweets goodbye message to Patriots
It’s not clear where New England Patriots legend Tom Brady is going to play football next season. But it is becoming clear that it will no longer be in New England. Brady posted what appears to be two good-bye tweets to the Patriots organization and fans Tuesday morning. FOREVER A...
First Call: NFL players mock former Penn State coach Bill O’Brien for DeAndre Hopkins trade
Monday was full of major NFL moves on the first day of free agency. Here’s a look at some of the ones that happened late at night that you may have missed. And if you did, I don’t blame you. Based on all the coronavirus news, I would’ve hidden under...
Raiders, QB Marcus Mariota agree to dealVideo
ALAMEDA, Calif. — The Las Vegas Raiders agreed on a contract with free agent quarterback Marcus Mariota to provide an experienced backup behind starter Derek Carr. A person familiar with the negotiations said Monday the Raiders reached a deal with Mariota, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 draft....
Falcons cut veterans Devonte Freeman, Desmond Trufant to clear cap spaceVideo
ATLANTA — The Atlanta Falcons will dramatically boost their financial flexibility by releasing two former Pro Bowl players, running back Devonta Freeman and cornerback Desmond Trufant, plus two more veterans. The Falcons announced Monday the release of offensive tackle Ty Sambrailo and tight end Luke Stocker. The team is finalizing...
Kirk Cousins, Vikings agree to 2-year, $66M extensionVideo
MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Vikings and Kirk Cousins agreed Monday to a two-year, $66 million contract extension, giving the quarterback another eight-figure influx of guaranteed money and providing the team immediate salary-cap relief. Cousins was entering the final season of the fully guaranteed, three-year, $84 million contract he signed as...
Bengals use franchise tag on A.J. Green over his objectionVideo
CINCINNATI — The Bengals used their franchise tag on A.J. Green on Monday, giving them time to try to work out a long-term deal with the seven-time Pro Bowler who is one of the most accomplished receivers in franchise history and would be a vital asset for breaking in a...
Titans use franchise tag on NFL rushing leader Derrick HenryVideo
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Titans tagged Derrick Henry as their franchise player, making sure they keep the NFL rushing leader around for at least this season. The Titans on Monday used the nonexclusive franchise tag on Henry. That means Henry still can receive offers from other teams, with the...
Cardinals get WR DeAndre Hopkins from Texans for RB David JohnsonVideo
The Arizona Cardinals have added one of the NFL’s top receivers to join an intriguing young team that’s trying to make a move in the NFC West. The Cardinals acquired three-time All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins in a trade that will send running back David Johnson and draft picks to the...
Browns near deal with TE Austin Hooper, place tender on Kareem HuntVideo
CLEVELAND — The Browns gave Kareem Hunt a second chance, and now they’re willing to dangle him. Cleveland opened a unique and unprecedented free agency period Monday by placing a second-round tender on Kareem Hunt, the troubled running back who played eight games last season after returning from an NFL...
Cowboys put franchise tag on Dak Prescott, clock ticks on deal with Cooper
The Dallas Cowboys have placed their exclusive franchise tag on quarterback Dak Prescott, securing the rights to their star quarterback for an estimated $31.5 million while the sides continue working on a long-term deal. The Cowboys announced the decision on their website about an hour before the deadline for teams...
First Call: Coronavirus crisis may keep Raiders in Oakland; Tom Brady’s options narrowing; Xavier Johnson staying at Pitt
In “First Call” for Monday, we defend the NFL’s decision to move forward with the start of its league year. Coronavirus may impact the Raiders’ ability to move to Las Vegas on time. And potential landing spots for Tom Brady are disappearing. Look a little deeper The NFL took heat...
Tim Benz: Players, teams that could suffer most under coronavirus sports shutdown
The coronavirus sports shutdown may be worse than originally thought. On Sunday, the Centers for Disease Control recommended “that for the next 8 weeks, organizers … cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the United States.” That means sports. All of ‘em. The NCAA...
Titans agree to multi-year extension with QB Ryan TannehillVideo
NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans are keeping the quarterback who led them within a victory of the Super Bowl, agreeing to a four-year, $118 million extension with Ryan Tannehill. The Titans announced the deal Sunday, hours after the NFL Players Association approved a new collective bargaining agreement. After being traded...
AP source: Jaguars trading Calais Campbell to Ravens for 5th-rounder
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Baltimore Ravens are essentially getting a five-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman for a backup kicker who has spent time on five NFL rosters over the last eight months. The Ravens agreed to trade a fifth-round draft pick in the upcoming draft to the Jacksonville Jaguars for...
Ravens re-sign returner De’Anthony Thomas before free agency opens
The Baltimore Ravens on Saturday re-signed wide receiver and return specialist De’Anthony Thomas, giving the team at least one option to bring back kicks and punts in 2020. Thomas joined the Ravens halfway through last season after the team released punt returner Cyrus Jones. Though he rarely played on offense,...
Ravens designate OLB Matthew Judon with franchise tagVideo
BALTIMORE — The Ravens designated Pro Bowl outside linebacker Matthew Judon with the franchise tag, general manager Eric DeCosta announced Friday, keeping the team’s top pass rusher from entering free agency as they negotiate a long-term deal. The NFL deadline to designate pending unrestricted free agents with the franchise tag...
Chargers place franchise tag on TE Hunter HenryVideo
COSTA MESA, Calif. — The Los Angeles Chargers took another step toward solidifying their offense Friday by placing the franchise tag on one of their top playmakers. The franchise announced it put the nonexclusive franchise tag on tight end Hunter Henry. General manager Tom Telesco said during the NFL scouting...
How fantasy sports, gambling are affected by coronavirus; odd team surfaces for Tom Brady
Sports is a multibillion-dollar business. So is sports gambling. So is the fantasy sports industry. And a lot of people in those lines of work are being impacted by the absence of sports because of the coronavirus outbreak. Much like the casual players and big-money investors. Our friend Jeff Erickson...
First call: Video shows Rudy Gobert mocking coronavirus before testing positive, shutting down NBA; will NFL Draft pull out of Vegas?
It’s all coronavirus talk in sports. Nothing else. The NBA is done. For now. Many think the NHL and college basketball will soon follow. In Thursday’s “First Call,” we look at how Rudy Gobert’s diagnosis brought down the NBA. What may become of the NFL Draft. And how one college...
First Call: Gronk to WWE?; NFL overtime may change; Penguins get help; Duquesne basketball snubs
Wednesday’s “First Call” features a new gig for Gronk. Is NFL overtime changing again? Gerrit Cole basks in Yankees stardom. The Penguins get some help in the Metro Division. Gronk to wrestling? The Steelers need a tight end. Well, there is a pretty good one from Woodland Hills that’s getting...