49ers, George Kittle Far Apart In Extension Talks

The San Francisco 49ers and tight end George Kittle are far apart in negotiations on a contract extension, and Kittle's agent said that a "tight end deal" is a non-starter in talks. Kittle has 3,016 career receiving yards, including the playoffs, which is the most by a tight end in his first three seasons in […]

Jake Butt Back To Full Health

Denver Broncos tight end Jake Butt (knee) said he is back to 100 percent health heading into the 2020 season. Butt was drafted in the fifth round in 2017 out of Michigan, but he's played in just three games (all in 2018) and has had four pretty serious knee surgeries since 2014. As he heads […]

Cam Newton May Wait To Sign

With free-agent quarterback Cam Newton's market cooling over the last month, according to sources, he is expected to take his time before joining a team. Newton could wait until teams resume regular activity following the coronavirus shutdown. It would give teams a chance to check on Newton's health and meet with him in person. But […]

Matt Rhule Praises Teddy Bridgewater

Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule had great things to say about quarterback Teddy Bridgewater's character and influence on Around The NFL on Friday. Rhule has been able to familiarize himself with and strengthen his bond with Bridgewater during the virtual offseason program. "The best players in the world bring out the best in their […]

L.J. Collier Motivated To Prove Doubters Wrong

Seattle Seahawks defensive end L.J. Collier, the team's first-round pick (29th overall) in 2019, is eager to prove himself after a disappointing rookie season. "I am chomping at the bit to get out there because it's one of those things where you didn't have the year everybody wanted you to get, so they just kind […]

Josh Allen, Stefon Diggs Working Out Together

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen and wide receiver Stefon Diggs have gathered in Florida this week to work out together. Allen and backup Matt Barkley threw to rookies Isaiah Hodgins, Gabriel Davis and Zack Moss in California earlier this month. It's the first time that Allen and Diggs have met since the Bills acquired Diggs […]

Browns To Reopen Facilities On June 1

The Cleveland Browns announced that a limited number of employees will return to the team's facilities on June 1, according to Browns EVP/COO Dave Jenkins. The reopening will include their Berea headquarters as well as FirstEnergy Stadium in downtown Cleveland. The Browns are just the latest NFL team to announce a return to their facilities, […]

Dee Ford Had "Extensive Cleanup" On His Knee

San Francisco 49ers defensive end Dee Ford (knee) had "a pretty extensive cleanup" on his knee a couple weeks after the season and said that he feels great. Ford was limited during the 2019 season because of knee tendinitis and missed five games with a hamstring injury as well. The 29-year-old played just 22 percent […]

Patrick Peterson's Diabetes Could Affect Decision To Play

Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes during the 2014 season, and living with diabetes could force him to decide whether or not to play should the NFL return this year during the coronavirus pandemic. Peterson said he'll be comfortable playing if the proper protocols are followed by the league. The […]

Texans Restructure Zach Fulton's Contract

The Houston Texans and right guard Zach Fulton agreed to a reworked contract on Friday, according to a source. Fulton was due $14 million over the next two years with no guarantees, but now he'll be due $5 million guaranteed in 2020 and $3 million non-guaranteed in 2021. The Texans will also get some salary […]

Lamar Jackson To Take More Downfield Shots In 2020?

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said that quarterback Lamar Jackson must make defenses pay if they stack the box against the Ravens offense in 2020. "Those corners are going to be one-on-one and those safeties are going to be one-on-one against receivers, especially on some downfield throws, and we got to make them pay […]

Felipe Vazquez Facing New Charges

Suspended Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Felipe Vazquez is now facing child-pornography charges in St. Louis, as he's reportedly accused of sending pornographic pictures of himself to a minor last summer. The 28-year-old left-hander was charged with statutory sexual assault and other offenses in September of last year for having improper sexual conduct with a then-13-year-old […]

Not Much Traction For Chris Jones, Chiefs On Contract Front

Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones hasn't had much traction with the team on a contract extension, but both sides still have until July 15 to work something out. The two sides haven't talked since the Chiefs put the franchise tag on Jones.  Jones has yet to sign his franchise tender, but he's kept […]

Matt Judon Signs Franchise Tender

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Matt Judon signed his one-year franchise tender on Thursday, according to a source. The one-year deal will carry a value of $16.808 million in 2020, a midpoint between the rate for linebackers and defensive ends as a product of a "rare compromise" between player and team. The Ravens and Judon still have […]

NFL Extends Virtual Offseason

NFL teams have been gradually reopening their facilities, but commissioner Roger Goodell announced on Thursday that the league's virtual offseason programs have been extended for two more weeks amid the coronavirus pandemic. However, coaches could be back in team facilities as early as next week. The NFL is working with the Players Association "on developing […]

DeAndre Hopkins Expects Big Things In Arizona

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins expects to put up numbers in the team's pass-happy offense under head coach Kliff Kingsbury in his first season in 2020. "So myself, being a receiver, of course I see my stats going up. ... But I definitely see myself having one of my more productive seasons," Hopkins said. […]

Panthers Agree With Eli Apple

The Carolina Panthers agreed to terms on an undisclosed one-year deal with cornerback Eli Apple on Thursday. Apple agreed with the Raiders earlier in free agency, but the Raiders backed out of the deal and put Apple back on the open market. The 10th overall pick in 2016 by the Giants, Apple failed to live […]

Raiders Re-Sign Paul Butler, Place Nick O'Leary On NFI List

The Las Vegas Raiders re-signed tight end Paul Butler to an undisclosed deal on Thursday. In a corresponding move, tight end Nick O'Leary (undisclosed) was placed on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury list. Butler hasn't appeared in a regular season game in two years in the NFL with the Raiders and Lions. O'Leary was signed as a […]

Gardner Minshew II Impressing During Virtual Program

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew II has impressed new offensive coordinator Jay Gruden with his work during the virtual offseason program. Gruden likes how Minshew has taken charge and seems to have a good grasp of the offense. "He has shown a skill set where he can sit in a pocket, step up, make things […]

Packers Want More Explosive Plays In 2020

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur is looking for his offense to find more explosive plays under quarterback Aaron Rodgers in 2020, the coach admitted on ESPN Wisconsin's Wilde & Tausch. The Packers ranked 19th in explosive-play rate in 2019, according to Sharp Football Stats. However, other than free-agent addition Devin Funchess in the […]

NFL Tables Fourth-And-15 Onside Kick Alternative

NFL owners tabled the proposal for a fourth-and-15 alternative to the onside kick during Thursday's virtual meeting. It would have given teams an alternative to the onside kick in an effort to retain possession after a score. If the play failed from the team's own 25-yard-line, the opponent would have taken possession. This could be […]

Trent Williams Restructures Contract

San Francisco 49ers left tackle Trent Williams agreed to a restructured deal in the final year of his contract in 2020. Williams is due to make $12.5 million this year, but the 49ers agreed to give him some of that up front after he didn't make any money in 2019. The Redskins traded Williams to […]

Chandler Jones Working On His Flaws

Arizona Cardinals All-Pro linebacker Chandler Jones has more sacks and forced fumbles than any defender since he entered the league in 2012, and his 96 sacks through eight seasons are four more than Bruce Smith, the all-time sacks leader, at the same point in his career. Jones was one of two players in NFL history […]

Patrick Peterson Hasn't Discussed Contract With Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson said he hasn't really had any contract talks with the team as he enters the final year of his current deal. "I feel I have a lot to prove," Peterson said. He also said he would love to stay with one team in his career and praised the organization. The […]

Carlos Gonzalez Being Released

Seattle Mariners outfielder Carlos Gonzalez is one of the players the Mariners are releasing among their minor league cuts. Gonzalez signed a minor league deal with the M's with an invite to spring training, where he hit .237 before the coronavirus shutdown in early March. The 34-year-old Venezuelan was a three-time All-Star with the Rockies […]

Eagles Interested In Devonta Freeman, LeSean McCoy

The Philadelphia Eagles are interested in both running backs Devonta Freeman and LeSean McCoy, who remain free agents. The Eagles offered a contract to Carlos Hyde before he signed with the Seahawks. Freeman also received an offer, but he's also weighing another offer from the Buccaneers. Philly has yet to make an offer to McCoy. […]

Cody Allen Has Been Throwing

Texas Rangers relief pitcher Cody Allen (forearm), who had some minor arm issues this spring before baseball was shut down due to COVID-19, has been feeling good and has been throwing at Globe Life Field during the pandemic. It's unknown if he'll be ready to go if the MLB season kicks off in July, but […]

Nick Kwiatkoski Ready To Be Full-Time Starter

Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski started eight games last season for the Bears before signing a three-year, $21 million deal with the Raiders this offseason to become a full-time starter. A fourth-round pick in 2016, Kwiatkoski played a bit role his first three years, but the 27-year-old showed off his abilities when he was […]

Jadeveon Clowney In No Rush To Sign

Free-agent defensive end Jadeveon Clowney is in no rush to sign with a team, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. The Browns and Seahawks have made offers to Clowney and the Titans have also been monitoring him, but he's in no hurry to sign with anyone. The former No. 1 overall pick is by far […]

Baker Mayfield Taking Quieter Approach

Coming off a rocky second season in the NFL, Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield is taking a different approach heading into the 2020 season. "It's just time to work, do our thing, instead of talking about it," Mayfield said Wednesday. "This is the first media thing I've done, just because there's no need to be […]