LOS ANGELES — Every leader in every business hits a crossroads. In that regard the Los Angeles Rams' Les Snead is no different. It's how he decides which way to go that sets him apart — and perhaps there's a lesson in that for all of us.

At the season opener against the Lions on Sunday night, for the first time in a decade, Los Angeles will...Read more

Joe Burrow has a new haircut. You might have seen it. The Cincinnati Bengals quarterback has gone bleached blond. Why? Burrow said he was bored. Said he was in the mood for something different.

You know what would be something different? A healthy Joe Burrow for a full 17 games and the postseason. That didn’t happen in 2023. The Bengals ...Read more

RENTON, Wash. — In Mike Macdonald's 37 years — an age that makes him the youngest head coach in the NFL in 2024 and the youngest in Seahawks history — the one constant has been football.

"Actually my first memory is throwing a football," he said in August following a training-camp practice.

He paused, trying to recall more vividly that ...Read more

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Some 55 hours before his 12th NFL season, Travis Kelce walked into a crowded media room at the Chiefs’ practice facility that had been waiting for his arrival.

He’d been here, in a similar room, for the first time more than a dozen years earlier, a teleconference introduction of a third-round draft pick that came ...Read more

MIAMI — You never forget your first love, so it is often said. For many or us, that first love was sports.

That one magical year that made us smitten. A certain player, maybe. A championship season. A memory that never left. That one team that was, is, interwoven in your life’s timeline. The team that helped raise you and never left you. ...Read more

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Christian McCaffrey insisted Friday his calf is feeling “much better” and his Achilles is “not a concern for me,” even though he has remained limited in this week’s practices leading into the 49ers’ season opener Monday night.

Any doubt in his mind if he will play against the New York Jets at Levi’s Stadium...Read more

SÃO PAULO, Brazil — Why?

The question is as difficult to ignore as the traffic here in South America's largest city. It hangs in the air like the smoggy veil of wildfire smoke that has shrouded the sky for much of the week.

It has been stated openly by players and muttered privately by staffers. The two head coaches have mostly ignored it. ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — Mike Riley can laugh about it now — that time his starting quarterback fought his teammate.

As Riley, the then-Chargers head coach recalled it, the team was on its way to its fourth consecutive loss. The Chargers failed to score a touchdown in a road game against the Oakland Raiders. Chargers safety Michael Dumas, who Riley ...Read more

BALTIMORE — The AFC championship game rematch between reigning NFL Most Valuable Player Lamar Jackson and defending Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes brought in a huge national television audience.

The host Kansas City Chiefs’ thrilling 27-20 win over the Ravens on Thursday night was the most-watched NFL kickoff game ever, according to NBC, ...Read more

NEW YORK — Brooklyn’s Brian Flores is returning on Sunday to the site of the alleged “sham” head coaching interview that he received with the Giants more than two years ago.

On the surface, the Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator will simply be drawing up pressure packages to try to outsmart Brian Daboll’s offense in their season ...Read more

PITTSBURGH — Much of that Russell Wilson excitement from last week when he formally was named "QB1" by Mike Tomlin has dissipated. Sure, Wilson could receive treatment on his problematic calf — he declined to say if it's the right or left — and wake up Sunday ready for action in Atlanta.

But it's looking more and more likely the Steelers ...Read more

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Make Jalen Ramsey the latest to receive a lucrative contract extension from the Miami Dolphins.

Ramsey and the Dolphins agreed to a three-year extension. The deal is worth $72.3 million, according to NFL Network, to make him the NFL’s highest-paid cornerback once again. It includes $55.3 million guaranteed.

The $24.1 ...Read more

PITTSBURGH — With the uncertainty surrounding the Steelers' quarterback situation on Sunday in Atlanta, the seemingly real possibility that Russell Wilson's debut with the team could be delayed due to a lingering calf issue, general manager Omar Khan made a wise move by ensuring Pat Freiermuth will take the field with a contract extension ...Read more

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Ravens showed a lot of heart in a 27-20 season-opening loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday night at Arrowhead Stadium, but that desire takes a team only so far in the NFL.

The Ravens need to get more out of their playmakers on both offense and defense to go deep into the postseason. Kansas City will, which is ...Read more

PITTSBURGH — Buyer beware: I had Kenny Pickett pegged as a "breakout player" last season.

He turned out to be a breakdown player.

That said, I'm mostly excellent at predicting Steeler seasons. So is everyone else, of course. It's not exactly nuclear physics. They'll win about nine games and either barely make or barely miss the playoffs — ...Read more

ARLINGTON, Texas — Of all the great players who have played for the Dallas Cowboys, only through organics, and Jerry Jones, has one jersey number become more precious, and valuable, than the rest.

More than No. 22 (Emmitt Smith), No. 8 (Troy Aikman), No. 12 (Roger Staubach), No. 74 (Bob Lilly), et al.

Only does No. 88 have its own club, ...Read more

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — OK, everybody’s been paid. Coach Mike McDaniel. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.

Now what?

Are there higher expectations or demands from fans on the Miami Dolphins’ most important people now that owner Steve Ross has paid them all?

If so, define those higher expectations on ...Read more

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs’ quest for a three-peat began Thursday night with a thrilling win against a top AFC rival.

And it also included an impressive debut for the team’s first-round rookie.

Receiver Xavier Worthy starred in Week 1, rushing for a touchdown and catching another as KC held on for a 27-20 home victory over...Read more

Taylor Swift was there. So was every other red-clad, diehard superfan as the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs opened the NFL season Thursday night at home against the Baltimore Ravens.

With one exception.

A man popularly known as "ChiefsAholic" for wearing a gray wolf's suit to games was sentenced Thursday for committing 11 ...Read more