MIAMI — Take a stroll down memory lane to 2019 when a first-year head coach named Brian Flores introduced the “Takes No Talent” wall to a talent-starved Miami Dolphins team that was trading its best players, and started players claimed off the waiver wire that same week.

Who remembers that culture change?

Or the Bill Parcells “tough ...Read more

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — It’s all right there for Kyle Pitts.

The Falcons tight end has seemingly every reason to flourish when the season starts Sept. 7 against Tampa Bay.

There are productive wide receivers (Drake London and Darnell Mooney) who can draw attention away from him in the pass game. There is an elite running back (Bijan Robinson...Read more

RENTON, Wash. — Mike Macdonald’s defense is on a mission.

The second-year Seattle Seahawks coach said so on Tuesday afternoon, following his team’s first practice of a shortened minicamp. Perhaps that’s to be expected, considering Seattle returns 10 of 11 starters from a unit that made second-half strides in Macdonald’s debut.

If ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — Josaiah Stewart quickly studied the assignment, focused intensely, and went to work.

The Rams linebacker delicately gripped a paintbrush, dipped it into a cup of green paint, and began filling the outline of a bird traced onto a wall of an Altadena school rebounding from the Eaton fire.

A few feet away, Rams tight end Terrance ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — No one in the Chargers' locker room felt as bad as Justin Herbert. At least that's what the quarterback claimed after a career-high four interceptions last January cost the Chargers an opportunity at their first playoff win since 2018.

But the disappointment that rendered Herbert motionless on the sideline in Houston had faded ...Read more

LAS VEGAS — The Raiders signed veteran linebacker Germaine Pratt to a one-year contract Wednesday, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.

Pratt, 29, played the past six seasons with the Bengals and led the team in tackles last year with 143. Cincinnati released the 2019 third-round pick out of N.C. State on Monday in a cost-...Read more

MIAMI — As the orange jersey-holder Tanner Conner got to control the playlist during Tuesday’s practice, the Miami Dolphins tight end seemingly overdoes his teammates with four Eminem songs.

Eminem’s one of those artists you either love or hate, but none of that mattered Tuesday because the orange jersey player is bestowed the power of ...Read more

DENVER — Natalie Bolles hated going to Broncos games those first few seasons.

“I can admit it, it was horrible,” Bolles said. “I would hide under a blanket.”

Gripped with anxiety, she watched the road games on a 30-minute delay, asking her mother-in-law to text her if there was a penalty so she could brace for it.

Watching her ...Read more

PITTSBURGH — As a crowd of us gathered around Aaron Rodgers on Tuesday afternoon, the quarterback’s first comments with the Steelers following a minicamp session when he largely stuck to individual work, Mike Tomlin sat alone just a few feet away at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex and gazed out toward the practice fields.

The scene was striking ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — Davante Adams lined up on the right side, ran a short slant pattern to the middle of the field, and then caught a pass from Matthew Stafford and sprinted up the middle toward the end zone.

A few players later, Adams crossed the field left to right and then extended his 6-foot-1 frame while leaping high to grab a pass over the ...Read more

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — For all the offseason spectacle surrounding Kirk Cousins, the first day he had to be at work for the Atlanta Falcons was anticlimactic.

He showed up for the team’s mandatory minicamp this week. Cousins confirmed that he’d rather be playing for a team where he has a real chance to start, but that’s not possible ...Read more

NEW YORK — Jets pass rusher Jermaine Johnson missed 15 games last season due to an Achilles injury he suffered in Week 2.

However, Jets coach Aaron Glenn says he will be ready for their Week 1 matchup against the Steelers at MetLife Stadium.

That happens to coincide with the return of Aaron Rodgers, who was Johnson’s teammate with the Jets...Read more

MIAMI — How Tua Tagovailoa changes his body in the offseason has been heavily discussed for the last few years.

In 2023, it was “thick Tua,” an ode to his increased body mass. In 2024, it was “skinny Tua” due to his weight loss as he looked to become quicker on his feet. Now, in 2025, the focus has turned from physical to mental.

“...Read more

FOXBORO, Mass. — Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs kept a smile on his face during his media availability Tuesday through a series of tough questions about a viral boat incident from Memorial Day Weekend on the final day of spring practices, but he wouldn’t break.

Diggs was asked about the video, which saw him pass out a pink substance in...Read more

PITTSBURGH — Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt did not participate in the first mandatory minicamp practice on Tuesday as he and his representatives continue to seek a new contract.

Watt is entering the final year of the five-year, $112 million contract ($80 million guaranteed) he signed in 2021 that made him the highest-paid defensive ...Read more

DENVER — After a week of deliberation following a highly-publicized visit to Denver, the Broncos have stamped another high-impact name to beef up their backfield.

The club is signing former Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins to a one-year contract, a source confirmed to The Denver Post. The deal has a base value of $2.745 million and $2.5 ...Read more

PITTSBURGH — Two things can be true.

With Aaron Rodgers signed for a reasonable rate, the Steelers must use some of their available salary cap space and add another wide receiver, whether that's Keenan Allen, Allen Lazard or Tyler Boyd.

I'm also encouraged by what's already here.

DK Metcalf offers an upgrade over George Pickens as the ...Read more

NEW YORK — Jameis Winston seems like the forgotten man in the Giants’ quarterback rotation, with Russell Wilson being handed the starting job and rookie Jaxson Dart being groomed as the future of the franchise.

But Winston is not forgotten when they take the field, even on limited reps.

Last Thursday was a perfect example: Wilson‘s first...Read more

BOSTON — Welcome to the end of the beginning.

The New England Patriots’ mandatory minicamp opened Monday, with all players expected to report for the team’s final three practices this spring. The Pats will hit the field for three straight days, then take a five-week break before returning for the start of training camp in late July.

To ...Read more