MIAMI — It was one moment during one drill that Chop Robinson has probably done 100-plus times throughout his professional career as an edge rusher.

Push the blocking sled back, move the cushions mimicking an offensive linemen to the left and place your head and body on the outside of its left shoulder to ensure that the edge is set.

...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — James Develin was raised in Gilbertsville, Pa., on the voice of Merrill Reese and the mystique of Brian Dawkins, “Weapon X.” But in the wake of Super Bowl LII on Feb. 4, 2018, he felt sad.

There was good reason for this. The fullback was in his sixth season with the New England Patriots. He’d won two Lombardi trophies, in...Read more

DENVER — Denver Broncos outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper pleaded not guilty to domestic violence charges in Douglas County court on Monday, setting plans for a July jury trial.

Cooper, 28, and his girlfriend were arrested last Thursday and charged with criminal mischief as a crime of domestic violence after Parker police officers responded ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — A.J. Brown now is a Patriot, an ironic misnomer since he’s such an obvious traitor.

Philadelphians generally seem relieved that Brown’s diva act no longer will be a distraction for a perennial title contender. That’s just A.J. fatigue. What he has done is no better than what Carson Wentz did five years ago: hamstrung his ...Read more

MIAMI — There’s a popular saying in the church community that goes “favor isn’t fair.”

It refers to God creating blessing, and opening doors for his believers, showing the faithful favoritism.

But the saying can also apply in the traditional sense, explaining that favoritism, and biases, are a part of life, society, business and ...Read more

PITTSBURGH — Last week, the Pittsburgh Steelers opened up the checkbook to secure a pair of up-and-comers.

On Tuesday, they inked edge rusher Nick Herbig to a new five-year, $103.67 million contract. His deal includes $42 million of guaranteed money. A day later, they gave tight end Darnell Washington a new contract. His deal features the ...Read more

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Following a marathon week in which a legislative deal to incentivize a new Chicago Bears stadium in Arlington Heights collapsed and the team announced it is eyeing northwest Indiana instead, some Illinois political leaders blamed the Bears while still holding out hope for an eventual deal in Illinois.

The Bears’ ...Read more

BALTIMORE — If the Ravens want to be classified as serious postseason contenders, start by stringing together more than one playoff win.

That’s pretty much been the franchise’s record since winning the Super Bowl title in 2012. Even back in 2023, when the team had the league’s best regular-season record at 13-4, the Ravens beat the ...Read more

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Trent Williams isn’t being weird about retirement, so why should you?

He knows the end is near, and, deep down, you know the end is near, too. The San Francisco 49ers certainly know it.

We’re operating from a place of honesty these days. Let’s stop projecting insecurities or trying to re-write the rulebook.

It’...Read more

CHICAGO — It’s past time to use football analogies to describe the Chicago Bears’ long-running quest for a new stadium.

Fourth down. One-yard line. Precious few seconds remaining on the clock.

All of that has been used repeatedly.

What became salient Friday morning was the Bears moved a step closer to leaving Illinois for an ...Read more

CHICAGO — The Chicago Bears will proceed with plans for a new stadium in Hammond, Ind., the organization announced Friday.

“Yesterday, the Chicago Bears Board of Directors met and voted to advance our stadium development project in Hammond, Indiana, with the exact site to be selected,” the team said in a joint statement from Chairman ...Read more

DENVER — Broncos outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper and his girlfriend were each arrested late Thursday night on suspicion of misdemeanor domestic violence and misdemeanor criminal mischief.

Cooper, 28, was arrested by Parker police at 11:16 p.m. and booked into Douglas County Jail at 2:38 a.m., according to jail records. Cooper’s attorney,...Read more

TAMPA, Fla. — Quarterback Baker Mayfield says talks on a contract extension with the Bucs are ongoing but “not close to what we were thinking.” He has set a deadline for the start of training camp to reach an agreement or plans to play out the final season of his three-year, $100 million deal.

Mayfield, who joined the Bucs on a one-year, ...Read more

FORT WORTH, Texas — He is an obscure part to the last dynasty of the Dallas Cowboys, a fact that unless you were there you may not know what Steve Beuerlein meant for the ascent of the franchise when it was actually winning playoff games rather than hoping to just make one.

In December of 1991, Beuerlein came off the bench to fill in for ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — For months, Howie Roseman slow-played the inevitable trade of A.J. Brown as much to maximize draft capital in return as to minimize Brown’s immediate salary-cap hit.

He got a first-rounder from the Patriots.

Well done.

As usual: Well done.

It’s not a 2026 first-rounder, which is what Roseman wanted before the draft, or ...Read more

PITTSBURGH — Russell Wilson announced his retirement from the NFL earlier this week. He chose to take an analyst role with CBS over an offer to back up Geno Smith for the New York Jets.

The move came at the end of several years of disappointments that brought him through Pittsburgh for a star-crossed season in 2024 — one that showed promise...Read more

ALLEN PARK, Mich. — Jahmyr Gibbs, the floor is yours.

One season after the Detroit Lions increased his role in the offense, the team doubled down on making him a focal point by trading David Montgomery to the Houston Texans this offseason.

The addition of Isiah Pacheco, who had some good seasons earlier in his career, left many wondering how...Read more

CHICAGO — The transformation of Rome Odunze into joyful painter Bob Ross for the Chicago Bears schedule release video was a clever production, sharp in details.

Odunze, with his hair all the way out in an afro and a blue button-down shirt tucked into blue jeans, didn’t just look the part. He provided a spot-on re-creation of the late PBS ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — The Rams' trade for Myles Garrett and subsequent intrigue about whether Aaron Donald would unretire to place two future first-ballot Hall of Famers on the same defensive line has served as an unmistakable reminder that some folks don't change.

Rams castaway Cooper Kupp still boasts an unexpected wry sense of humor.

Donald's ...Read more