There’s an old scouting report typwritten in all capital letters that explains what New England is doing, why tight end Mike Gesicki might not be done and also why Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel was still right.

The report was written by Bill Belichick before he was the Belichick we know. It involves the larger alchemy involved in free-...Read more

For the past five years, the Carolina Panthers have never had a chance to sit in the NFL’s catbird seat.

For the next 38 days, though, that’s exactly where they are perched, holding the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL draft after a monumental trade with Chicago.

And you better believe that the Panthers are enjoying this temporary respite from ...Read more

Magic Johnson is, once again, trying to dish out an assist in 76ers managing partner Josh Harris' attempt to purchase an NFL franchise.

Johnson, a five-time NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers and a Hall of Famer, has joined Harris' group in its bid for the Washington Commanders, according to Sportico. A spokesperson for Harris declined ...Read more

The Carolina Panthers have had a busy March.

First, the Panthers made a massive pre-free agency splash, trading wide receiver DJ Moore and a quartet of premium picks to the Chicago Bears for the first overall pick in April’s NFL Draft.

From there, the Panthers went on a measured spending spree in free agency, adding the likes of safety Vonn ...Read more

TAMPA, Fla. — The new face of the Bucs at quarterback arrived with a confident smirk.

Baker Mayfield, 27, joined his fourth team since July when he signed a one-year contract with the Bucs on Monday.

It’s not been the NFL career the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 draft and Heisman Trophy winner from Oklahoma envisioned. After four seasons ...Read more

Houston Texans left tackle Laremy Tunsil agreed to a three-year, $75 million contact extension, according to reports.

The new deal makes Tunsil the highest-paid offensive lineman in the NFL. The deal includes a $30 million signing bonus with $50 million fully guaranteed and $60 million in total guarantees, according to ESPN.

The 28-year-old�...Read more

Less than a month ago, vice president Stephen Jones said the Dallas Cowboys needed to add juice to the passing game.

He delivered on his promise Sunday morning, acquiring speedy wide receiver Brandin Cooks in a trade with the Houston Texans for a fifth-round pick in 2023 and a sixth-round pick in 2024, per sources.

The trade for Cooks is sixth...Read more

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — With the first pick in the 2023 NFL draft, the Carolina Panthers will select one of four quarterbacks. Bryce Young (Alabama), C.J. Stroud (Ohio State) Anthony Richardson (Florida) and Will Levis (Kentucky) all have a case to be the top pick.

Over the next four weeks, The Charlotte Observer is breaking down the top four ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — What the Eagles are trying to do next season is not unheard of in the NFL, but it’s pretty damn close.

What they’re trying to do is win a Super Bowl the year after they lost a Super Bowl. Just three teams in the league’s history have managed to pull off that trick, and only one, the 2018 New England Patriots, has done it ...Read more

ARLINGTON, Texas — Marquette King never looked the part, which was never really the problem.

Marquette King refused to play the part, which ultimately was the problem.

The irony isn’t lost on him. He was the rarest of NFL creatures: He was a punter, and there was a demand to buy his jersey.

He was a punter with fans.

“I remember when (...Read more

CHICAGO — The first wave of NFL free agency goes fast, and the majority of the big deals are wrapped up in the negotiating period, which leads to about two weeks of bargain shopping before teams reassess and turn focus to the draft.

The Chicago Bears didn’t skip a beat moving from bigger acquisitions such as linebackers Tremaine Edmunds and...Read more

BALTIMORE — Wally Williams knows the feelings Lamar Jackson might be experiencing.

In the Ravens’ 28-year history, seven players have received the franchise tag. Williams, who spent 10 years in the NFL, including three in Baltimore from 1996 to 1998 before retiring after the 2002 season, was the first.

“The part that every player ends up...Read more

For a long time, Jimmy Garoppolo and Derek Carr lived a parallel tortured existence with the bottom line.

Was Garoppolo responsible for the 49ers winning so many games during his tenure as a starter, or did his teammates and coaching staff carry him there?

Was Carr responsible for the Raiders losing so many games during his tenure as a starter...Read more

CHICAGO — Robert Tonyan’s NFL career blossomed over six seasons while catching passes from Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

But all the while Tonyan, a 6-foot-5, 240-pound tight end, kept in his basement the jersey and autograph from a childhood hero, former Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher.

Tonyan, 28, grew up in ...Read more

SEATTLE — The Seahawks continued the makeover of their defense Friday by signing free agent defensive back Julian Love, formerly of the New York Giants.

The team announced the signing Friday afternoon. ESPN reported that Love agreed to a two-year deal worth up to $12 million.

Love was among three defensive players visiting the Seahawks this ...Read more

NEW YORK — Aaron Rodgers and Allen Lazard played the previous five seasons together in Green Bay.

Now it appears the dynamic quarterback-wide receiver duo will suit up again for the Jets.

Lazard officially signed a four-year contract worth $44 million — including $22 million guaranteed — on Friday. Earlier this week, Rodgers announced ...Read more